A surprise awaits you when you enter this garden, located on the roof of a former car park in the middle of a high-rise estate. The metal staircase entrance used to appear slightly forbidding, but the garden team have tried to use it as a trellis, thereby turning it into a delight! The initial surprise continues, as the garden is divided into five distinct spaces, or 'garden rooms'.
Thanks to donations from other community gardens, as well as local businesses and other organisations, a wide variety of planting has evolved - edible crops as well as decorative plants, several special specimens, and numerous trees. The garden was lucky to be the inspiration for a gold-medal winning Chelsea garden, which resulted in the addition of a kitchen garden, with a pergola, pizza oven, raised beds and planting transported from the Chelsea entry.
There is a large composting area, including new beds built by volunteers and starter compost bins placed around the garden for community use. The team encourages estate residents and visitors to bring their kitchen scraps.
: Malissa Ritchie
Visitor Information
Open
Saturday 10:30–16:00
Activities
Tea and coffee available; modest herb clipping allowed (donations welcome).
Picnics allowed.
Entrance
Up the stairs at the end of Charlotte Despard Avenue, across the square behind Tesco on Battersea Park Road Nearest postcode: SW11 5HD
Once a locked and derelict garden, now opened up to residents for the first time in 20 years. There are two areas - a kitchen garden, where residents grow herbs, berries and vegetables, and a woodland garden.
Prize-winning early Victorian garden restored in 1997 to its 1867 layout. A small garden with rope-edged tiles and some unique specimens of London Plane trees. Former residents include poet Matthew Arnold and author Mary Shelley.
One of London's premier addresses, with gardens that won a Gold Award in the 2023 London in Bloom competition. Refreshments, music and sculptures by Chelsea award-winning sculptor David Harber.
The Moat Community Garden is part of Grade 2 listed Millbank in SW1, near Tate Britain. Local people have used the remains of the former prison moat to create the garden. Refreshments and other activities available.
