Description
Brenchley Gardens are named after Alderman William Brenchley JP, Chair of the Borough of Camberwell Public Services Committee. The linear gardens were opened in 1928, laid out on a steeply sloping site with a sunken garden and ornamental displays. The old track bed of the Crystal Palace High Level Railway was incorporated into the garden after its closure in 1954. At that time the rockery / shrubbery overlooking Forest Hill Road was created at the south end and the track-bed provided a glade alongside the original area of the park. Recent improvements have included restoration of the 'Sunken Garden', the railings have been repainted and part of the granite embankment walling has been replaced. Adjacent is the Aquarius Golf Course and the Waterworks.
Practical Information
| Site location | Brenchley Gardens/Forest Hill Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE22 |
| What3Words | ///news.papers.bumps |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | London Overground: Honor Oak Park. Bus: P12, 63. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ353743 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.797 |
| Site Ownership | LB Southwark |
| Site Management | Parks |
| Dates | 1928; 1954 |
| 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 | Southwark |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - (proposed) Local (Copse) |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Gardens, Tier Two. Green Chain Walk |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Camberwell Cemetery was opened in 1856 by Camberwell Burial Board, at that time the area was surrounded by fields. The cemetery originally had 3 chapels, none of which remains although the gothic entrance lodge still stands. Its layout was planned on picturesque principles with winding paths. It was enlarged in 1874 but there was a great shortage of burial space and by the late C19th it was in a deplorable and neglected state. It was renamed Camberwell Old Cemetery when the Camberwell New Cemetery was opened in 1927 and the majority of burials now take place there.
One Tree Hill has a long history and connections with significant events, its height exploited for both defence and commercial purposes. It was named after the Oak of Honor that marked the boundary of lands belonging to the Honour of Gloucester. The most famous story in its history is that Elizabeth I rested under an oak at the summit in 1602, and the third successive specimen planted in 1905 remains today. In 1896 the hill was enclosed when the adjacent Golf Club rented the land, but following an active local protest it was eventually opened as a public park in 1905, the LCC General Powers Bill of 1902 having enabled Camberwell Borough Council to compulsorily purchase the land as public open space.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Peckham Rye Common was for centuries used as a deer park although local people had common rights. It was purchased for public open space in 1868 by Camberwell Vestry and transferred to the MBW in 1882. In 1890 the adjacent Homestall Farm was acquired by the Vestry, the LCC and the Charity Commissioners for a public park and Peckham Rye Park was laid out in 1894. The park had an artificial lake with island and bankside walks, rock and water gardens; an American garden, Japanese garden, and an English Garden, also known as the Sexby Garden.
Peckham Rye Common was for centuries used as a deer park although local people had common rights. It was purchased for public open space in 1868 by Camberwell Vestry and transferred to the MBW in 1882. In 1890 the adjacent Homestall Farm was acquired by the Vestry, the LCC and the Charity Commissioners for a public park and Peckham Rye Park was laid out in 1894. The park had an artificial lake with island and bankside walks, rock and water gardens; an American garden, Japanese garden, and an English Garden, also known as the Sexby Garden.