Open:

Saturday 10:00–17:00 + Sunday 10:00–17:00

Description:

Lavender Pond Nature Park, created in 1981 and designated a local nature reserve in 2005, is one of the oldest urban nature reserves in the country. Covering 2.5 acres in total, the park’s main feature is the pond. Boardwalks allow access through extensive stands of reed, a colourful marsh area and on to a woodland shelter belt.

Created on the site of an old timber pond, the original dock walls and locks remain. The old Lavender Dock Pumphouse has been refurbished to house the Rotherhithe Heritage Museum, social history exhibitions including Queen Elizabeth II's wedding cake. It is also used as an environmental study centre for visitors, families and schoolchildren, with a wealth of resources pertaining to the natural environment and the river foreshore. Older people in residential care homes are encouraged to visit on Fridays and enjoy the facilities both within the museum and outside in the nature park. Thousands of children visit each year to discover the wealth of natural history and meet the needs of the national curriculum.

The park provides a resource for creative ecology and conservation, demonstrating how new habitats can be created for wildlife while allowing local people contact with nature through community involvement, education and training.

Lavender Pond is a key demonstration site, recognised as far afield as Japan and Korea as a prime example of good practice in the design of nature parks. It has laid down some ground rules for new urban ecological sites such as the Bow Creek Ecology Park, Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park and the London Wetland Centre at Barnes.

Warden:

Reuben Hawkwood

Activities:

The Warden and/or volunteer assistant wardens will be on site both days to answer questions on habitat management and specific features and provide tours. The Pump House Educational Museum will also be open for this rare weekend viewing.

Entrance:

Cobbled car park on Lavender Road
Nearest postcode: SE16 5DZ

Buses:

C10, 381

Station:

Canada Water

Car Parking:

Cobbled car park at entrance.

Access:

Reserve fully accessible, though paths and boardwalk require care.

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Further information:

• Street Map
• Map of nearby gardens
• Garden's web site
• Printable version