Inventory Site Record

Champions Wharf consists of a largely paved terrace with balustrade overlooking the river, with raised beds planted with heathers and shrubs. For a time it was laid out as a small sculpture court and known as Champions Wharf Sculpture Park, displaying abstract sculptures by Guy Rushworth-Harden and Mike Jensen, who were based at Eel Pie Island Boatyard. The garden was re-designed post 2015 and now reflects the proximity of Alexander Pope's villa, with a recreation of Pope's Urn and inscriptions with his quotations on benches. Adjacent to the garden is Champions Wharf Play Beach, laid out in 2013 with play features including a Viking Boat, a Wherry or Victorian Water Taxi and archaeological dig items from Twickenham Museum.

Previous / Other name:

Wharf Garden; Champions Wharf Sculpture Park

Site location:

Riverside, Twickenham

Postcode:

TW1 3DT

What 3 Words:

pizza.boots.richer

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Richmond

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Play Beach

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Twickenham. Bus: H22, R68, R70, 33, 90, 290

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/05/2014

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.richmond.gov.uk/parks_and_open_spaces

The site is maintained as part of York House Gardens to which there is access via a gate in the wall to the west of the sculpture court.

Champions Wharf Sculpture Garden was re-designed in 2015/16, following a proposal by Poet in the City to create a contemporary version of Alexander Pope's Urn inscribed with contemporary poetry and framed by 4 Amelanchier trees, together with new paving and seating, and planting of parasol plane trees and a perennial meadow. Alexander Pope's villa and garden was located up the river and today Pope's Grotto (q.v.) remains although his villa and garden have been built over. Consultation on the scheme closed in April 2015 and the new garden was laid out c.2016. The Pope Urn and plinth, fabricated in Corten steel, is based on a design by Pope for Hagley Park, Worcestershire. Benches are inscribed with memorable quotations by Pope, such as - but not necessarily including - the following:
'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread...'
'Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind...'
'To err is human, to forgive divine...'
'A little learning is a dangerous thing...'
'Hope springs eternal in the human breast...'
'Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.'

Adjacent to the garden is Champions Wharf Play Beach. Following the success of providing a temporary play beach here in 2011 and 2012, Richmond Council constructed the permanent play facility, which opened in August 2013. It provides a historical and educational space as well as being a space for play, with references to the human and natural history of the area, including Mesolithic, Neolothic and Bronze Age finds, and examples of earlier means of river transport in the form of the Viking boat and Victorian Wherry, the latter used for river transport up until the 1860s. Seating has been installed, summer shade provided and the balustrades modified for safety, in order to provide a secure space for children to play.

Sources consulted:

Grid ref:

TQ165732 (516532,173286)

Size in hectares:

0.076

Site ownership:

LB Richmond

Site management:

Environment Planning and Review, Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

Designer(s):

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Twickenham Riverside

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Thames Policy Area

Other LA designation:

None

Champions Wharf Sculpture Park, July 2010. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.