Local Guides World
Nick Gazard
9 reviews on 1 places
This long rectangle is a great size for a residential park so close to London Bridge. Surrounded by 5-storey buildings from the 1930s it doesn’t feel overlooked.
It has a kind of orchard-vibe due to long paths, how the trees are laid out and hedges allowed to merge with fencing.
It is broadly separated into 3 parts, the Northern end being mostly open; the middle a ‘Nature park’ which seems to have some issues with vandalism but nice nonetheless, and the Southern end is playground and sports.
The playground has two sections, a little baby bit that feels a bit odd (you can’t see any other kids in the other bit) and then a pretty well setup main playground. Only the big swings are missing.
Sports-wise, you have 3 table tennis tables; the outdoor gym, a basketball court and sizeable astroturfed football courts. Definitely enough to keep you going.
Whether you want to picnic on the grass, find a bench for some thoughts or be more active, there’s a lot going on here.
We popped in while changing busses nearby and are glad we found this gem, just one road back from the main road. It’s worth a stop.
It has a kind of orchard-vibe due to long paths, how the trees are laid out and hedges allowed to merge with fencing.
It is broadly separated into 3 parts, the Northern end being mostly open; the middle a ‘Nature park’ which seems to have some issues with vandalism but nice nonetheless, and the Southern end is playground and sports.
The playground has two sections, a little baby bit that feels a bit odd (you can’t see any other kids in the other bit) and then a pretty well setup main playground. Only the big swings are missing.
Sports-wise, you have 3 table tennis tables; the outdoor gym, a basketball court and sizeable astroturfed football courts. Definitely enough to keep you going.
Whether you want to picnic on the grass, find a bench for some thoughts or be more active, there’s a lot going on here.
We popped in while changing busses nearby and are glad we found this gem, just one road back from the main road. It’s worth a stop.
It’s more than a visitor centre, more of a mini museum in its own right and well worth a visit. Also oddly attached to a pub!
You can learn about how the painted hall was constructed - oddly more than when you visit the painted hall; the palace that used to be on the grounds; background of the naval college and pensioners; lift a lance, check out armour, see what has been dug up and more.
There are also several exhibits for kids, from building with faux-stone to re-arranging the college buildings to improve on Wren’s design (adults might also like this) to ‘feel and guess’. We ended up spending an hour here with no trouble at all.
The only bit that feels odd is the mezzanine level which suggests you can experience a battle but then the signs suggest it’s gory, only for kids over 10 and an extra charge. Despite the centre being busy, no-one went up there. It also seems only accessible by stairs with the lift being reserved for staff use.
It also has toilets, a school room and multiple entrances (pub, the west) but come from the river and see a grand frontage with a ‘don’t sit or climb’ cannon.
You can learn about how the painted hall was constructed - oddly more than when you visit the painted hall; the palace that used to be on the grounds; background of the naval college and pensioners; lift a lance, check out armour, see what has been dug up and more.
There are also several exhibits for kids, from building with faux-stone to re-arranging the college buildings to improve on Wren’s design (adults might also like this) to ‘feel and guess’. We ended up spending an hour here with no trouble at all.
The only bit that feels odd is the mezzanine level which suggests you can experience a battle but then the signs suggest it’s gory, only for kids over 10 and an extra charge. Despite the centre being busy, no-one went up there. It also seems only accessible by stairs with the lift being reserved for staff use.
It also has toilets, a school room and multiple entrances (pub, the west) but come from the river and see a grand frontage with a ‘don’t sit or climb’ cannon.
Lovely little city farm - with the animals you’d expect (ducks, donkeys, goats, bunnies, Guinea pigs, pigs) but a seemingly equal focus on growing local.
The visitor entrance is from the Thames path, not the address on the map (more of a vehicle entrance for their lorry that takes animals to local fairs) with some small gardens and a coffee shop.
It’s free to enter and you can go in any direction. Immediately you see goats, the Shetland pony and donkeys in a large courtyard.
Initially it has a vibe similar to many city farms, a bit more concrete than you’d hope with a ‘pallet-anywhere’ approach, but as you explore more, it’s a lot bigger, the sheep have a lot of space, pigs can truly wallow in mud - there’s even a small orchard.
Make sure you go around the outside, there are the ‘stinky pigs’ where you can also see into the building via two windows (one adult height, one kid height); some beautiful cockerels (seriously!) and the many varied and interesting veggie plots.
Keep an eye out all around - from mosaics on the floor to bird houses, clay vegetables, bug hotels, beehives and more. There’s also a lot of interesting blacksmithing work.
There’s a clear focus on education and engagement here which you can see everywhere. On a random Monday we met two adults with additional needs carefully handling bunnies and Guinea pigs and helped my kids to do the same, appreciating the animals.
You might actually want to pop to the farm shop first as animal feed (large oats) is £1/bag, where you can also find reasonably priced gifts, farm produce (including meat!), supporting the charity that runs the farm.
We spent a lovely hour self-directed hour here, with a bit more time and planning we might have paid to feed the goats (see their website) or will come back to do another activity. Though feeding the animals (NOT the donkey or pony!) was quite fun - the goats can be a bit mental!
The visitor entrance is from the Thames path, not the address on the map (more of a vehicle entrance for their lorry that takes animals to local fairs) with some small gardens and a coffee shop.
It’s free to enter and you can go in any direction. Immediately you see goats, the Shetland pony and donkeys in a large courtyard.
Initially it has a vibe similar to many city farms, a bit more concrete than you’d hope with a ‘pallet-anywhere’ approach, but as you explore more, it’s a lot bigger, the sheep have a lot of space, pigs can truly wallow in mud - there’s even a small orchard.
Make sure you go around the outside, there are the ‘stinky pigs’ where you can also see into the building via two windows (one adult height, one kid height); some beautiful cockerels (seriously!) and the many varied and interesting veggie plots.
Keep an eye out all around - from mosaics on the floor to bird houses, clay vegetables, bug hotels, beehives and more. There’s also a lot of interesting blacksmithing work.
There’s a clear focus on education and engagement here which you can see everywhere. On a random Monday we met two adults with additional needs carefully handling bunnies and Guinea pigs and helped my kids to do the same, appreciating the animals.
You might actually want to pop to the farm shop first as animal feed (large oats) is £1/bag, where you can also find reasonably priced gifts, farm produce (including meat!), supporting the charity that runs the farm.
We spent a lovely hour self-directed hour here, with a bit more time and planning we might have paid to feed the goats (see their website) or will come back to do another activity. Though feeding the animals (NOT the donkey or pony!) was quite fun - the goats can be a bit mental!
The ‘gardens’ and ‘graveyard’ are somewhat inseparable. In winter it looks a bit bare, but the seeds of spring are evident.
Enter either via the stairs to the church or the semi-steep road into the gardens. Seemingly recently re-tarmaced, there isn’t a clear distinction between road and path (which are wide enough for a vehicle). As it’s black, it seems a bit like walking on a road around trees.
However, as you go round the back of the church it becomes much more path-like, winding and you see more headstones.
The graves are surprising and leave you with questions: what/who is that odd block under a stone cover with a fence around it? Why are those grave stones so close together by the tree? What about those other ones in the corner that look like dominoes? Take those questions into the church and the displays on the left answer them all!
Sadly the big tree growing around the gravestones has fallen over and been surrounded with fencing - presumably as the council figures out how to safely and respectfully remove it and who pays.
There are also some funky trees to enjoy - how on earth did they grow like they were spirals? One even seems to be resting an arm on a tomb.
It’s worth 20 minutes of walking around and is -I’m sure- a lovely place for lunch in warmer weather. Much of the gardens is grave/tomb free, in case that worries you. Kids are most welcome, even school groups, all easily able to respecting the space.
Enter either via the stairs to the church or the semi-steep road into the gardens. Seemingly recently re-tarmaced, there isn’t a clear distinction between road and path (which are wide enough for a vehicle). As it’s black, it seems a bit like walking on a road around trees.
However, as you go round the back of the church it becomes much more path-like, winding and you see more headstones.
The graves are surprising and leave you with questions: what/who is that odd block under a stone cover with a fence around it? Why are those grave stones so close together by the tree? What about those other ones in the corner that look like dominoes? Take those questions into the church and the displays on the left answer them all!
Sadly the big tree growing around the gravestones has fallen over and been surrounded with fencing - presumably as the council figures out how to safely and respectfully remove it and who pays.
There are also some funky trees to enjoy - how on earth did they grow like they were spirals? One even seems to be resting an arm on a tomb.
It’s worth 20 minutes of walking around and is -I’m sure- a lovely place for lunch in warmer weather. Much of the gardens is grave/tomb free, in case that worries you. Kids are most welcome, even school groups, all easily able to respecting the space.
It’s a tricky balance to be a functioning church, historical, and with such an unusual graveyard that it attracts tourists. But this church seems to manage it all.
The gardens/graveyard are worthy of a visit in their own right and in the middle sits this seemingly small, unassuming church. Well a beautiful and unusual one, especially for central London - more like a village church vibe.
It’s actually part of a wider group of churches that work together and are quite active in the local community. It’s also well known as a music venue.
It may be somber when you visit but see the clergy dancing down the front with the congregation to get a sense of the life that inhabits this sacred space.
You can see some evidence of this in the pictures on the posterboards as you come in - but I know it’s true directly from having worked on a previous iteration of their combined website.
When you walk in, there are displays on the left with a wooden spiral staircase heading up the tower. More info and a few items to purchase are on the other side. There was also quite a lot of beer the day we visited - presumably a party is planned!
Going into the church, it’s quiet and prayerful with candles. The sun motif above the altar strikes as unusual. A mini chapel to the right adds to the solemnity.
Take a look around as everything has a ‘been here for a while’ quality feel. The wooden bell-like structure over the font; the surprise that a small church has a full organ over the entrance lobby; and how comparatively big it feels inside.
We only popped in for 10 minutes, the kids took a seat and wondered about the prayer cushions and decor. It’s definitely worth a look in, or at least through the glass doors. The attending volunteer was really helpful and kind too.
The gardens/graveyard are worthy of a visit in their own right and in the middle sits this seemingly small, unassuming church. Well a beautiful and unusual one, especially for central London - more like a village church vibe.
It’s actually part of a wider group of churches that work together and are quite active in the local community. It’s also well known as a music venue.
It may be somber when you visit but see the clergy dancing down the front with the congregation to get a sense of the life that inhabits this sacred space.
You can see some evidence of this in the pictures on the posterboards as you come in - but I know it’s true directly from having worked on a previous iteration of their combined website.
When you walk in, there are displays on the left with a wooden spiral staircase heading up the tower. More info and a few items to purchase are on the other side. There was also quite a lot of beer the day we visited - presumably a party is planned!
Going into the church, it’s quiet and prayerful with candles. The sun motif above the altar strikes as unusual. A mini chapel to the right adds to the solemnity.
Take a look around as everything has a ‘been here for a while’ quality feel. The wooden bell-like structure over the font; the surprise that a small church has a full organ over the entrance lobby; and how comparatively big it feels inside.
We only popped in for 10 minutes, the kids took a seat and wondered about the prayer cushions and decor. It’s definitely worth a look in, or at least through the glass doors. The attending volunteer was really helpful and kind too.