Rockliffe Gardens
When opened in 1937, Rockliffe Gardens was the jewel-like public gardens created on the site of former brickworks. The then Woolwich Borough Council recognised the potential of the site and set about creating a wonderful oasis of plants rocks and water features.
With ornamental rocks, waterfalls, two ponds and a rich variety of plants it must have been a sight to behold. Over the years the plants have become more established, all sorts of insects, birds and other wildlife have found their way to the gardens - undisturbed but for a few intrepid dog walkers and lost souls.
Sadly the threat of a road being built through the gardens in the 80s (linking the then East London River Crossing proposal to the A2) put paid to any series attention being given to the gardens. Until now.
The London Gardens Online website has this to say about Rockliffe Gardens.
With ornamental rocks, waterfalls, two ponds and a rich variety of plants it must have been a sight to behold. Over the years the plants have become more established, all sorts of insects, birds and other wildlife have found their way to the gardens - undisturbed but for a few intrepid dog walkers and lost souls.
Sadly the threat of a road being built through the gardens in the 80s (linking the then East London River Crossing proposal to the A2) put paid to any series attention being given to the gardens. Until now.
The London Gardens Online website has this to say about Rockliffe Gardens.
Entry from Camdale Road was via a gateway with iron gates flanked by stone walls leading into a grove of Cedars; to the east a formal Arts and Crafts style sunken garden was laid out with a pergola, pool and a small circular pond with fountain, but by 2002 these had become derelict. To the north were a series of walled terraces, with steps and paved paths, and below the terraces a path to the west led into a dell planted with birch, bamboo, holly, pines, willow, laurel and other shrubs and a pond with a rock cascade. A winding path led up to another concrete-lined pond and an impressive rock cliff behind was formed out of granite and oolitic limestone; stepping stones were provided over the watercourse for which water was circulated by an electric pump, and the lake was formerly surrounded by heather gardens. Steps up the side of the cliff led to the pergola at the end of the formal garden. On the slopes gorse, broom and numerous bulbs were planted. Foundations and floor are all that remain today of a thatched pavilion that provided sheltered seating, toilets and gardeners' accommodation with notable shrub planting around this area; a serpentine path leads into another discrete lawn area. The lower area to the north was originally left as coarse grassland planted with specimen trees, mainly cypress. At the extreme northern boundary was an enclosed area with children's play equipment, and a paddling and boating pool were planned, although they were not in place at the opening. In the south-east tennis courts were also to be provided if the demand was there and funds allowed.