Cornmill Gardens and River Mill Park

At the time of the Domesday Book (1086) there are records of eleven mills operating along the River Ravensbourne. Cornmill refers to a corn mill that stood on the site of the present gardens. In the mid C18th this mill was used for glass cutting hence the name Glass Mills Leisure Centre at the entrance to the Gardens. 

Cornmill Gardens was the first of three new open spaces planned for Lewisham Town Centre in 2007. River Mill Park on the other bank of the River Ravensbourne is a green space with seating, trees and stepped access to the river, which can be reached from Cornmill Gardens via a footbridge over the river. Together they provide a single open space just a short walk from Lewisham Town Centre. Cornmill Gardens has a wooden viewing platform to the Ravensbourne, which has been released from its concrete channel. The new river banks have been planted with a range of native plants and trees and there are signs of naturally-occurring native plants establishing themselves. Families of mallards and moorhens have made their homes along this stretch of the river. Cornmill Gardens contains trees and grass areas, a children’s play area, outdoor gym, a piazza area for events and socialising, seating and cycle racks. The Waterlink Way walking and cycling route runs through the Gardens. 

The park has won a number of public space awards including the Horticulture Week Landscape & Amenity Award (Best Streetscape) 2007; Civic Trust Award 2008; British Urban Regeneration Association Waterways Renaissance Awards (Commendation - Area-based Regeneration category) 2008; Best New Public Space Award at the London Planning Awards 2009, and a Green Flag Award in 2020.

Access to Cornmill Gardens is from Loampit Vale, along the side of the Glass Mill Leisure Centre; Elmira Street or Molesworth Street (via the foot bridge).