Borough
Architectural period
Architectural type
Facility

The 2020 programme is now past. We will be launching the 2021 programme mid August 2021

  • Playground designed and built by MOH Design and Adventure Playground Engineers
  • Luxmore Gardens planting
  • Table Tennis in front of Aspire mural
  • Luxmore Gardens trees
  • Entrance on Rokeby with Aspire mural
  • Aspire fox mural
  • Summer flowers
  • Playground in sunshine
  • Stepping stones

Luxmore Gardens

Lewisham Council

place
Luxmore Street, SE4 1BS
info_outline
Disabled access

Travel Information

subway
Nearest tube: New Cross
train
Nearest train: Brockley
directions_bus
Bus routes: 172, 171, 136, 321, 436, 21
open_in_new
Self-guided walk. Enter Luxmore Gardens via Luxmore St (off Malpas Rd) or one of the two alleyways on Rokeby Rd. Stroll through the park and link up with the Brockley Mews walks or walk to Hilly Fields to begin the 3 Peaks Circular walk.

Design

Original design
Lewisham Council, 1958
Type
Open site, Garden, Art in the public realm, Walk/tour
Period
Contemporary

  • History

    An 1896 map shows the site which now houses Luxmore Gardens was a Market Garden, tennis courts and terraced housing.

    During World War II the space was used as an ARP depot with Civil Defence garages and an open space for training locals to be fire wardens. One night in the Blitz the terraced housing of Luxmore Street took a direct hit and all 12 houses were destroyed.

    After the war ended there was recognition that the local area lacked open space and in 1949 the local council worked to create a park that would 'provide recreational facilities for both young and elderly, in addition to which it will greatly enhance the appearance of the area' (Metropolitan Borough of Deptford Minutes of Procedings) and Luxmore Gardens formally opened to the public on 18th August 1958.

    Over the years it had a children's playground, toilets, a park keeper's hut and a very popular park keeper.

    Friends of Luxmore Gardens was formed by local residents in January 2017 after the park had become run-down and subject to anti-social behaviour. They have worked with Lewisham Council to bring improvements for people and wildlife in the park re-establishing flowerbeds, extending the playground, improving seating and establishing community events.

  • Wildlife and biodiversity

    Luxmore Gardens has many mature trees including Willow, Alder, Lime, Maple, Silver Birch and Raywood. Luxmore Gardens was gifted three young Cherry trees by the Japanese government in 2020 as part of the Sakura Project.

    Luxmore Gardens is home to many birds including Wrens, Great and Blue Tits, Goldfinches and Woodpecker.

    The planting of new beds in 2018 with indigenous shade-loving plants has seen the return of bees and butterflies and there have been sitings of stag beetles in the park for the last two years.

  • Community

    Friends of Luxmore Gardens was formed in 2017 by a group of local residents working to improve the park for people and wildlife. They have raised money through fundraising and grants for improvements such as planting, seating, a water fountain, extending the playground with a bespoke design from MOH design/Adventure Playground Engineers, installing a table tennis table and commissioning wildlife murals by the artist Aspire. They also run community events including the very popular yearly Love Luxmore Garden Party.

Volunteers' site Participants' site