Lambeth Road, Kennington, London SE1 6HZ
Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park
Parkland
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5.8
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8A public park gifted to the women of Southwark in 1934, with the Imperial War Museum as its backdrop and a Tibetan Peace Garden among its quieter corners.
This is a compact city park rather than a wild landscape, but its combination of a contemplative garden, community orchard, Ice Age Tree trail and wartime memorials gives a short visit more character than a simple green-space break.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapLambeth Road, Kennington, London SE1 6HZ
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The experience
Allow a short visit to explore the park’s garden features and memorials. Southwark Council lists a playground, picnic areas, mature trees, a small woodland, community orchard and Ice Age Tree trail. The Imperial War Museum provides a worthwhile nearby-in-the-park pairing, but check its own visitor information before planning a longer visit.
Things to do
Visit the Tibetan Peace Garden
Find the garden commissioned to provide a tranquil space for contemplation and reflection, and look for sculptures by Hamish Horsley.
Explore the community orchard
Look for the orchard planted by local schoolchildren in 2003, with 31 trees including apple, pear, plum, quince, loquat, olive, cherry, persimmon and mulberry.
Find the Soviet War Memorial
See the memorial unveiled in 1999 to commemorate the loss of 27 million citizens of the former Soviet Union in the Second World War.
Follow the Ice Age Tree trail
Explore the tree trail listed among the park’s garden features by Southwark Council.
Pair the park with the Imperial War Museum
The park provides a backdrop to the Imperial War Museum. Check the museum’s own visitor information for current access and visit planning.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A short park-and-garden pause
- 01
Enter from one of the entrances listed by Southwark Council.
- 02
Visit the Tibetan Peace Garden and look for its sculptures.
- 03
Take in the park’s memorial features and mature trees.
Half day · Allow extra time; exact duration not stated by sources
Explore the park’s green details
- 01
Explore the community orchard and look for its varied fruit trees.
- 02
Follow the Ice Age Tree trail.
- 03
Visit the Tibetan Peace Garden and Soviet War Memorial.
- 04
Use a picnic area if you want to pause; check current facilities on arrival.
Verified history
Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park opened in 1934. Viscount Rothermere gifted the land in memory of his mother to the “splendid struggling mothers of Southwark”. The park occupies the former grounds of Bethlem Hospital and the Dog and Duck tavern. The orchard project records that Bethlem Royal Hospital was first located there in 1815 before moving to Bromley in 1926; during the Second World War, parts of the park were used as allotments through the Dig for Victory campaign. The orchard was planted by local schoolchildren in 2003 on the site of a former lido filled in during the war. The Soviet War Memorial and Tibetan Peace Garden were both unveiled or opened in 1999.
Hidden details
A many-origin orchard — The orchard’s 31 trees were planted by local schoolchildren in 2003 and include species associated with their home countries, among them loquat, olive, persimmon and mulberry.
The orchard stands over a former lido — The Orchard Project reports that the orchard occupies the site of a lido that was filled in during the Second World War.
Winter forage in the city — Loquat flowers in the orchard provide winter forage for London’s bumblebees, according to the Orchard Project.
When to go
· Daylight is most suitable for seeing the park’s garden and memorial features; no specific best hour is evidenced.
The park’s listed features can be visited year-round. Winter has a specific natural-history detail: loquat flowers in the orchard provide forage for bumblebees.
Check the forecast before visiting; the supplied sources do not describe weather-related conditions or path surfaces.
Worth pairing with
Imperial War Museum
The museum is described by Southwark Council as the backdrop to the park, making it the strongest sourced pairing for a more substantial visit. Check the museum’s own visitor information before planning.
What to look for
Look for the Tibetan Peace Garden sculptures, the Soviet War Memorial, the community orchard’s mix of fruit trees and the Ice Age Tree trail. The orchard’s loquat flowers are noted as winter forage for bumblebees.
The story
Bethlem Hospital grounds, the park’s 1934 gift to Southwark, Second World War allotments and memorials.
Best time to go
Year-round; the orchard’s loquat flowers provide winter forage for bumblebees, while the park’s trees and garden features offer interest in other seasons.
Visit during daylight to explore the park’s gardens and memorial features; it is open at all times, but the supplied sources do not identify a particular best hour.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Families · Walkers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Southwark Council says the park is open at all times. Entrances are on St George’s Road, Lambeth Road, Kennington Road and Geraldine Street.
Parking
Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm visitor parking.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Southwark Council lists a toilet at the kiosk.
Food & drink
Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm food or café provision.
Check before visiting
Dogs
The source row indicates dogs are allowed and a dog park is listed; check current local rules and signage before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, but the supplied council page does not provide a full park accessibility assessment. Check before visiting for route and surface details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check source
Check before visiting
Water
Wildlife pond; access to it is by appointment, according to Southwark Council. Swimming or paddling permission is not evidenced.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
