Inventory Site Record

Rockliffe Gardens was created on the site of former brick workings, which operated from the late 1860s until the end of the C19th. The clay digging and dumping of spoil had left an interesting terrain. Woolwich Borough Council purchased the site in 1935 and laid out ornamental public gardens with formal areas, terraces, rock and water features, which were opened by the Mayor in 1937. There was serious subsidence here on 8 September 1937, affecting the children's play area at the northern boundary. Sadly neglected in later years, Friends of Rockliffe Gardens was formed in 2008 to work towards restoring the gardens.

Site location:

Southland Road, Plumstead

Postcode:

SE18

What 3 Words:

excuse.dared.trials

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Greenwich

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

9am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Welling then bus. Bus: 51

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Research updated:

01/05/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

When it opened, Rockliffe Gardens was a jewel-like public park created on the site of former brick workings. In the 1840s the land was called Tidneys Field and was used as arable farmland. By 1869 brick works had been established on the north end of Tidneys by the King's Highway and the field was dug out and used as a claypit for the works, which appear to have closed by the end of the C19th. During WWI allotments were established on a small level area at the south end of the site but the field was otherwise used as a rubbish tip until the land was purchased by Woolwich Borough Council in January 1935. The Council recognised the landscape potential created by the clay digging and dumping of spoil, which had formed a succession of 'cliffs and bluffs, terraces and dells'. The landscaping and layout was by Mr Tee, the Borough Engineer and the whole formed a comprehensive design, including walls and iron work. Rockliffe Gardens was formally opened in the early summer of 1937 by the Mayor of Woolwich, Miss M Crout.

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.

This area of Plumstead is undermined by chalk workings, and this resulted in serious subsidence in Rockliffe Gardens on 8 September 1937, affecting the children's play area at the northern boundary. The realisation that housing had been constructed on an area so undermined was a cause of much protest in the 1930s and 1940s. Although the overall structure of the garden and its features remain, they became sadly neglected in later years. Friends of Rockliffe Gardens was formed in 2008 to work towards restoring the gardens.

Sources consulted:

E F E Jefferson, 'The Woolwich Story 1890-1965', 1970, p215; "Plumstead catalogued" box, Greenwich LS Library; LCC Survey; undated press report of opening; Woolwich Borough Council minutes 29/9/1937

Grid ref:

TQ458774 (545890,177450)

Size in hectares:

2.06

Site ownership:

RB Greenwich

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces Department; Friends of Rockliffe Gardens

Date(s):

1935-37

Designer(s):

H T W Tee, Borough Engineer, Woolwich Borough Council

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Area of Special Character of Metropolitan Interest

Other LA designation:

Green Chain