Description
Dulwich Library was built on a site given by the Estates' Governors of Alleyn's College of God's Gift. A donation by philanthropist John Passmore Edwards paid for the building, and the foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Irving. An additional sum was provided by Camberwell Vestry who laid out the surrounding land as a public garden. Dulwich Library was opened on 24 November 1897 by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Halsbury. The railed garden has some ornamental planting, rose beds and areas of lawn, with trees and shrubs on the perimeter.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lordship Lane |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE22 |
| What3Words | ///kings.proven.buddy |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | as for library opening times |
| Public Transport | Bus: 12, 40, 176, 185 |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Dulwich Library was designed by R P Whellock and cost £5,800, to which the philanthropist John Passmore Edwards donated £5,000. The remaining £800 was paid by Camberwell Vestry who laid out the surrounding land as a public garden. Passmore Edwards donated money for 70 free libraries, hospitals and convalescent homes throughout the UK, including Nunhead Library which opened in 1896. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Irving and Dulwich Library was opened on 24 November 1897 by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Halsbury who had presided over the production of the 'Laws of England'. The garden has some ornamental planting with palms along side of library building and a few rose beds otherwise the gardens are lawns with trees and shrubs on perimeter.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ339739 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.339 |
| Site Ownership | LB Southwark |
| Site Management | Parks |
| Dates | 1897 |
| Designers | Library: R P Whellock |
| 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 | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Tier Three |
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
Court Lane is on land that continues to be owned by The Dulwich Estate, the successor to the charitable foundation established by Edward Alleyn in 1619. It was laid out over the site of a manor farm called Dulwich Court Farm, at which time the Estates Governors also donated five fields to the MBW for the creation of Dulwich Park. The name also recalls the court where the Estates steward would adjudicate on local affairs. The area of communal gardens was reserved as a permanent open space by the Estates Governors who were keen to preserve and maintain open spaces on their land. Set behind neat iron railings, the private gardens have lawns, trees and shrubs.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Dulwich Park opened as a public park in 1890. It was formerly part of the Manor of Dulwich, purchased by theatre impresario Edward Alleyn in the early C17th, who founded almshouses and a school here, now Dulwich College. The Dulwich Estates' Board of Governors, set up in 1882, donated land to the MBW for the public park in 1885. It was laid out by the newly formed LCC in 1889/90 and much of its original layout is still intact.
Dulwich Park opened as a public park in 1890. It was formerly part of the Manor of Dulwich, purchased by theatre impresario Edward Alleyn in the early C17th, who founded almshouses and a school here, now Dulwich College. The Dulwich Estates' Board of Governors, set up in 1882, donated land to the MBW for the public park in 1885. It was laid out by the newly formed LCC in 1889/90 and much of its original layout is still intact.
The site for the burial ground was donated by Edward Alleyn who owned the Manor of Dulwich. His charitable foundation, Alleyn's College of God's Gift, led to the establishment of almshouses and schools in Dulwich, and continues to manage an estate of nearly 610 hectares. Prior to this the nearest place of worship was some 2 miles away and there was no parish burial ground. The cemetery was twice enlarged over the years but was full by 1856 and closed to burials. It contains some fine C18th and C19th tombs and a number of famous people were buried here.