Description
This is a long narrow garden that separates the C19th houses of Grove Crescent from Camberwell Grove. Prior to becoming a road, this was an avenue of trees called Walnut Tree Grove, which led from an old Manor House of Camberwell Buckingham to the top of the hill. The manor house was demolished in 1776 when the estate was sold and the area began to be developed. It became popular among well-to-do people, with many fine houses built here.
Practical Information
| Site location | Camberwell Grove/Grove Crescent |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE5 |
| What3Words | ///remove.hatch.tree |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, but visible |
| Public Transport | Rail: Denmark Hill. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The fine houses of Grove Crescent, 4 linked pairs of houses with wrought iron railings in front, were built in 1819 by William Whitten, a solicitor who had bought the estate of Dr Lettsom, part of whose once extensive grounds survive as Lettsom Gardens (q.v.). A print from the sale catalogue of 1836 shows the crescent fronted by an open area of grass, with some shrubs and post and railings.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ331761 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.1094 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1819 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Grove Crescent (169-183 Camberwell Grove) and attached railings |
| 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 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Southwark |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Camberwell Grove |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | London Squares Preservation Act |
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
Lettsom Gardens was formerly the estate of Grove Hill, which was once part of the Manor of Camberwell Buckingham. It was purchased in 1779 by Dr John Lettsom, who lived here until 1810 and developed the gardens, which became famous in his day. They included a kitchen garden, orchard and hothouses as well as plants from all over the world as a result of the botanical expeditions that Lettsom financed. The grounds also had a boating lake with a central fountain, and Coadestone plaques and statuary. After Lettsom sold the estate it began to be built over for housing from 1819. A small portion of the estate survived and was saved from further development by the Lettsom Gardens Association in 1980.
Maudsley Hospital was built on Denmark Hill and completed in 1915. In 1939 two new buildings were added, a Private Patients' Block and a Children's Block, and the grounds were laid out by the LCC Chief Parks Officer, A R Mawson. Both buildings were designed with roof gardens and that of the Private Patients Block, Mapother House, survived with its original structure intact, including statuary, wooden benches, planters and raised grass plots. It was awaiting restoration in 2002 but since then has sadly been cleared and the garden no longer in use for health and safety reasons. Mapother House is now due for redevelopment as housing.
Lucas Gardens was originally the grounds of a terrace of 12 Georgian houses known as East Terrace, which were later used as an extension to Camberwell House Lunatic Asylum established in 1846 in a former school building on the north side of Peckham Road. During WWI a Flying Boat was displayed in what is now the public park, probably bought by local subscription as part of the war effort. Lucas Gardens opened as a public park in July 1955 and is on a gently sloping site with winding paths and mature trees. The main gates on Peckham Road were refurbished in the late C20th together with new landscaping that included flower beds, paths, ornamental trees and a water feature in the north of the park.