Wednesday, 31 July 2024

Our Camberwell garden open for charity on Sunday 1st September 2024, 11-4:30pm

On 1st September we will be opening our garden as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) to raise money for charity. 

The NGS says of our garden:

An exotic garden full of the exuberance of late summer, inspired by travel in Southeast Asia. A lush and naturalistic jungle of big leafed plants, bold colours and shapes including cannas, bananas, bamboos, dahlias, mature tetrapanax and towering paulownias.

Huge ‘hidden’ garden, created in 2010 from buying derelict land which had been the bottom halves of two neighbour’s gardens gives the garden an unexpected size. Three ponds, a productive area and contemporary sunken terrace full of pampered prized plants.

We deliver on the ‘wow’ factor with visitors being surprised by the scale of the garden and getting lost in the exotica. The garden changes and improves every year as the plants grow bigger and the feel gets ‘junglier’.

Since first opening for the NGS in 2011 the garden has changed radically. At that time the top garden was still partially derelict and being cleared. Planting was mostly annuals and pumpkins! It took a year to clear the rubble, brambles and hops. We filled 5 skips with rubble and broke 20 spades and forks in the process. Many visitors have kept coming back to see the transformation.

The lower lawn has lots of seating (30+) and hidden corners give space to sit and enjoy. Renowned for the plant sale, teas and home-made cakes.

Live music! All being well the Secret Life Sax quartet will play in the afternoon

Last admission at 4:30.


See more about the development of the garden on my blog: https://www.alternative-planting.blogspot.com

See the full details on the NGS website here 

Where are we? We are at 24 Grove Park, Camberwell, London, SE5 8LH. Aim for the Chadwick Rd end of Grove Park. Peckham Rye or Denmark Hill Stns, both 10 min walk. Good street parking.

How much does it cost? Where does the money go? £5 entry. All monies raised go to the NGS whom them distribute to different charities. This year they donated £3.4million. Core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queens Nursing Institute. 

How good is the cake? I can confirm it is very good!

How accessible is the garden? The garden is on a slight slope/different levels and so does include some steps. Some paths are uneven and made of wood chip, others gravel. Sadly, we are not wheelchair accessible. 

Some pictures to entice you to come!

Watch the video the lovely Wayne made when he visited last year
























I hope you can come and visit!




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