You are here > The Gardens

About Us

Who we are
Moorings history
The boats
The gardens
Environment
Plans to evict us
What we're doing
Why it matters
Press coverage
Latest news
Supporters
How you can help

Tell more people
Protest!
Donate
Fax your MP
Get involved
 
The Gardens


As the city’s only floating gardens, the moorings provide a habitat for a broad range of flora and fauna.


As well as improving the visual amenity of the area they are a vital link in the green corridor of the Thames foreshore and each year attract a growing number of enthusiastic visitors from all over London.

The value of the Thames and it's shoreline for wildlife is recognised here providing shelter and breeding grounds for wildlife which otherwise would struggle to survive.


The Garden Barges are the infrastructure of the mooring, providing access to the individual houseboats. They are interconnected by a variety of bridges, which have been designed to expand and contract with the movement of the river.

There are plans to add further gardens.


The Floating Gardens, ironically, have just been awarded First Prize in the "Best Community Garden" category of the "Southwark in Bloom" Competition by Southwark Council.

 

The gardens, at times open to the public, also generate very positive media coverage.

An unconverted barge, partly filled with soil, provided the first inspiration in the mid 80's, as wild plants seeded themselves in its hull and thrived. The first to have been converted is now well established with continuous arrays of flowers, abundant herbs, and even a marrow plant.




The "tree barge" has a square of quince trees in its centre, a long row of lavender and again herbs; mint, oregano and borage.

 

The third and fourth lead across the moorings like a long thread. One is planted up with divisions of box hedging, appearing unexpectedly formal.

These once redundant Thames Lighters also provide both living and studio spaces beneath their gardens, windows looking up on either side.

 

Copyright 2003 Downings Roads Residents Association. Please make sure you read our disclaimer and legal sections here