Description
Red Cross Garden is an award-winning historic pocket park located in Southwark, offering families a peaceful green haven away from the bustling streets of central London. Originally established in 1887 by social reformer and National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill, this beautifully restored space serves as a safe and calm spot for children to relax and connect with nature. If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Southwark and the Bankside area, this Victorian oasis is a perfect outdoor stop between visiting nearby urban landmarks.
Visiting this beautifully maintained community park is completely free, making it an excellent budget-friendly addition to a family day out in London. There are no entry fees or admission tickets required, allowing parents and children to wander in and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere whenever the gates are open. It is a wonderful location to bring a packed lunch, sit back on a bench, and enjoy an outdoor family picnic without spending a penny.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines historic architecture with a quiet open-air setting, this garden fits the bill perfectly. It allows parents to unwind while kids spot local wildlife and admire the unique view of The Shard towering directly over the historic thatched-style cottages. Its convenient location near major transport hubs means you can easily fit a relaxing park visit into a busy London sightseeing schedule.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes Red Cross Garden unique?
- Sensory play and nature: Winding gravel paths guide families through vibrant flowerbeds filled with lavender, rose bushes, and foxgloves, providing a beautiful sensory experience for young children.
- Educational day out: Built as a flagship Victorian social project by National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill, the space provides a brilliant history lesson about life in 19th-century London.
- Biodiversity miracle: Despite its central location, the garden features its own unique micro-climate that supports an abundance of urban wildlife.
- Stunning architectural contrast: The park offers a direct, dramatic view of the modern Shard skyscraper rising high behind a row of historic 1880s Arts and Crafts cottages.
Top Highlights
- The Wildlife Pond and Wooden Jetty: A major highlight for children is the ornamental wildlife pond, which features an overhanging wooden deck. Families can stand safely on the jetty to search through the reeds for frogs, toads, newts, and pond insects, making it a fantastic hands-on nature experience.
- The Victorian Bandstand: The garden features a beautifully restored traditional bandstand, which acts as the centerpiece for open-air community performances. Kids love using the steps and the platform as a miniature stage for their own creative roleplay and games when no events are running.
- Red Cross Cottages: Facing directly onto the lawn is a row of six stunning, Grade II listed cottages designed by architect Elijah Hoole. With their Tudor-revival style gabled fronts, they look like a fairy-tale village transported right into the middle of modern London.
- The Sower Mosaic: Hidden on the back wall of Octavia House is a beautiful, historic glass mosaic known as "The Sower," donated by Julia Powel and Sons. Children can look closely at the colorful tiles to spot the artwork, which was originally installed to bring colour and inspiration to the Victorian working class.
- The Bug Hotel and Bird Boxes: Dotted around the garden's quieter edges are custom-built bug hotels and bird boxes. These dedicated wildlife structures are ideal for a mini-beast safari, allowing curious kids to search for beetles and watch local birds flying to and from their nests.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Because Red Cross Garden is a smaller pocket park, it serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the wider Bankside neighborhood. Directly around the corner on Ayres Street, families can see White Cross Cottages and Bishop's Hall, which completed Octavia Hill's original community design. Just a short walk away sits Crossbones Graveyard, another deeply historic and unique green space looked after by the same trust. For active play, families can walk down to the Marlborough Sports Garden, which offers dedicated tracks and sports facilities for older children. Additionally, the world-famous Borough Market is only minutes away, providing an incredible array of food stalls to explore after your park visit.
0.89 miles
