Open:

Saturday 10:00–16:00 + Sunday 10:00–16:00

Description:

Wandsworth Prison was opened in 1851. The prison was built according to the ‘Panopticon' model, allowing supervision of the wings from the centre.

Around the prison there are lawns, flowerbeds, trees and benches. There are also planters, hanging baskets and window boxes, maintained by prisoner parties who gain useful qualifications from their gardening work.

In 2006–7 HMP Wandsworth was judged Best Community Garden and in 2007-8 won the Best Blooming Public Building in the Wandsworth in Bloom competition. It has also been awarded prizes for the garden in front of the administration block and the hospital garden by the Conservation Foundation.

Entrance:

Heathfield Road
Nearest postcode: SW18 3HS

Buses:

77, 219

Stations:

Wandsworth Common (1.25km), Earlsfield (1.5km), Clapham Junction (2km, bus).

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Conditions:

The garden can be visited only on an escorted tour lasting up to two hours. Advance booking essential. See guidebook supplied with tickets for details. One prison tour per ticket holder. Visitors must be over 21 and provide two forms of identification, one with a photo and one with current address. No recording equipment or backpacks. No mobile phones or cameras. Visitors will be subject to search procedures.

Further information:

• Street Map
• Map of nearby gardens
• Printable version