About the Park
|
With wide open spaces, riverside walk, a magnificent avenue of lime and London plane trees, ornamental gardens, sculptures and sports areas, Wandsworth Park has served the local community since 1903.
The land was originally used for allotments until 1897 and was purchased in by London County Council, Wandsworth District Board in 1898 and by public subscription. The Park was designed and constructed under the supervision of Lt Col John James Sexby, the first Parks Superintendent for the London County Council. The design is dominated by a 3.5 hectare playing field in the centre of the park surrounded by an oval path. |
|
Formal Beds
Friends of Wandsworth Park manage and maintain the formal bedding area.
|
Trees
There are over 150,000 trees and more than 50 different tree species in Wandsworth Park.
The Friends of Wandsworth Park have placed handy labels on examples of each species across the park. You can also find more information about the trees around you, and hints to find the next tree on the trail by downloading the TiCL! App We love the park's trees, and we hope you will enjoy exploring and learning about them with us too. |
Fiona's Scented Garden
A tiny garden nestled in the west corner of the park is a hidden gem of tranquility.
The 176 sq m terrace was subject to planning application to incorporate it into the back gardens of nearby private houses. Friends of Wandsworth Park successfully bid for this area to become an "Asset of Community Value (ACV)", ensuring this space can be open to all. The design and planting was overseen by Fiona Garnett Crumley a horticulturalist and one of the founding member of the Friends, to create a peaceful and relaxing environment. After Fiona’s death in January 2021, the garden was officially renamed in her memory. |
Bats
Bats are truly amazing creatures, the only true flying mammal in the world.
What makes Wandsworth Park the perfect home for bats? The dark canopy & a handy hunting location make the park an ideal home for bats. Recent bat surveys have shown roosts of Pipistrelles, Leisler, Noctule, Greater Horseshoes, and Daubentons bats. Friends of Wandsworth Park run bat walks in the spring & summer months, please do keep an eye out for announcements. |
Wildflower Meadow
Meadows, sometimes perceived as scruffy wild grass, are in fact complex ecosystems that support a vast array of life, both above and below the soil.
The wildflower meadow project was started in Spring 2021 to support development of London's Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation & act as habitat corridors for pollinators. As of March 2022, the meadow is flourishing with a large variety of new flora species thriving in the wildflower meadow. |
Bird Barges
The barges have been moored to provide nesting and roosting sites for various bird species to replace the loss of habitats elsewhere along the riverfront.
There are a number of different features on the barges to appeal to different birds. The tall posts around the edges are key places for herons and cormorants to stand. These are the easiest birds to spot - herons “loafing” apparently idle while they digest food. |
Stink!
Wandsworth Park’s very own stink pipes have now been replaced. But you can still see where they were situated just behind the noticeboard.
Originally installed in response to the Great Stink of 1858 when London was brought to a standstill for weeks (even Parliament moved out to the country to avoid the smell). Find out more here |
Art Trail
Have you noticed Pygmalion* and Nexus in the Park?
These two sculptures by Alan Thornhill are part of the Putney Sculpture Trail, installed in 2008. It is one the largest outdoor collection of work by one artist in London a great way to revisit Putney on an art trail |
. |
