Description
Paterson Park was created on a bomb site that had formerly been railway sidings, and was opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee in 1953. It was named in memory of the prominent prison reformer, Sir Alexander Henry Paterson. The park was extended in 1981 when the Bricklayers' Arms goods station was closed, and a nature reserve accessible from Paterson Park was created the other side of the old railway bridge. In 2007 improvements were undertaken in the park, and new facilities included a children's play area, allotments and a multi-use games area.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lynton Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE16 |
| What3Words | ///bells.funds.smiled |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Playground; multi-use games area |
| Public Transport | Tube: Bermondsey (Jubilee) then bus. Bus: 381, P13. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Paterson Park was named in memory of Sir Alexander Henry Paterson who died in 1947, a prison reformer who lived in Bermondsey for a time in his early years, where he worked among the poor of the area, publishing an account of this work in 'Across the Bridges' in 1911. He supervised boys released from Borstal and in 1911 became assistant director of the Central Association for the Aid of Discharged Prisoners. He was later appointed commissioner of prisons and Director of Convict Prisons in 1922. He advised on penal administration overseas and was particularly instrumental in establishing recreational and educational facilities in prison as well as the introduction of open prisons in order to assist the rehabilitation process.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ342784 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Southwark |
| Site Management | Parks |
| Dates | 1953 |
| 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 | Local Park, Tier Two. Green Chain Walk along east boundary |
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
St Anne's is a picturesque small brick church with tower and spire, which was erected in 1869/70 to designs by J Porter. It is surrounded by railed gardens with island beds set into lawns, and trees around the perimeter. It was originally in the centre of Thorburn Square, a modest square likely to have been occupied by working class tenants, which like much of the surrounding area was built between 1865-75. The square existed into the 1960s but has since been redeveloped and today a pedestrianized post-war housing development built by Southwark Council literally surrounds the church. In 1970 the parish was united with that of St Augustine South Bermondsey, whose church in Lynton Road was later leased and then in 2005 converted into apartments.
Avondale Square was situated to the north of St Philip's Church, which dated from 1875 and was bombed in WWII. The land, which was owned by the Bridge House Estates, was redeveloped by the Corporation of London, who had begun to build housing here from 1920 and continued after WWII. Avondale Square Estate was opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 26 October 1962. The estate was landscaped with substantial areas of informal green space with paths running through it, more formally planted areas and now has 3 play areas.
Bermondsey Spa Park was opened in 1954 by the Mayor of Bermondsey, laid out with children's play equipment, trees, shrubs, flower beds including extensive ornamental rose gardens onto Spa Road. Other areas are grassed with some trees and a plaque records a tree planted in 1956. It was created through clearance of terraced housing but was near the former site of Bermondsey Spa after which it is named. These pleasure gardens had been opened in c.1765 and so-called after a spring was found in the grounds. Bermondsey Spa Gardens were refurbished as part of the 1999 area master plan and re-opened in spring 2006 with new seating, lighting, a toddlers' play area, a multiuse games area, a dog walking area, a 333m running track, a plaza and the Ellen Brown Bermondsey Play Centre.