Fiona's Scented Garden Debuts At London Open Gardens Weekend

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Featuring alongside two other local green beauties

Late Spring in Fiona’s Scented Garden. Picture: The Friends of Wandsworth Park

May 31, 2023

Fiona’s Scented Garden in Wandsworth Park is new to London Open Gardens weekend this year and will feature alongside other local gardens at the Roehampton Club and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June.

London Open Gardens Weekend grants exclusive access to over 100 gardens not normally open to the public, with a small number requiring pre-booking.

Fiona's Scented Garden has been created in a riverside corner of the Grade II listed Edwardian park. Back in 2017 The Friends of Wandsworth Park rallied to save this Thames-side space from being removed from the public realm and have turned it into “a quiet garden for those seeking an escape from the activities across the rest of the green space”.

The planting design was conceived by committee member Fiona Garnett Crumley and following the very sad news of her death in 2021, The Friends decided to rename the space after her.

Members of the Friends of Wandsworth Park will be on hand to talk about the garden, their work and offer refreshments of tea, cake and biscuits.

Visitor directions and info:

Open Sunday 11:00–16:00
From Park Gate at Putney Bridge Rd at Brandlehow Road, near the crossing. Walk straight down to the river. Terrace is on the left. If you enter from Deodar Road through Blade Mews gate, turn left and walk down to the river, Terrace is on your left.
Accessible to all. Accessible toilets at the east side of the park on the back of the pavilion. Dogs on leads

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. Picture: Colin Wing/London Parks & Gardens

West Hill’s Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability enjoys an elevated position on the boundary between Wandsworth and Putney with stunning views over north west and south west London.

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and eighteenth-century landscaper Humphrey Repton both helped to design the estate, adding to the garden’s historical importance and interest. Capability Brown designed an open landscape of grass and trees, a lake and a home farm and his designs are still evident today.

Visitors to the grounds can also see an award-winning cloister garden and several specialist patient sensory gardens, as well as the peaceful and serene lavender beds of the memorial garden.

Visitor directions and info:

Open Saturday and Sunday 10:30–16:00
Activities
There will be tours at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm, which will last 30 minutes, starting from the meeting point in the De Lancey Lowe Room.
There will also be an archive exhibit for visitors’ perusal as well as tea, coffee and cakes.
Entrance at West Hill, SW15 3SW
What 3 Words: surely.props.deals
Disabled toilet on site, fully accessible, working assistance dogs only

Roehampton Club gardens. Picture: Colin Wing/London Parks & Gardens

The Roehampton Club gardens were laid out in 1901 when the sports and recreation centre was established. The gardens retain many of their original features, despite changes within the club’s estate over the years.

From the back of the clubhouse visitors can move through a sunken garden with an ornamental pond, onwards to a yew hedge walk, and on to an attractive pavilion.

There is also a rockery and herbaceous walk beyond a wrought iron gateway, complete with seating bays featuring fig, roses and wisteria climbers.

An adjoining croquet lawn is bordered by pleasing shrubs and trees. Sam Cumber - who also holds the post of Garden and Landscape officer at Mortlake Crematorium - is named as the current head gardener.

Visitor directions and info:

Open Sunday 10:00–16:00
Refreshments available in the garden all day.
Entrance at Roehampton Lane
Nearest postcode: SW15 5LR
Disabled toilet on site. Access - sections of limestone paving and gravel paths may present uneven surfaces. Steps lead down to sunken garden area.
Working assistance dogs only

London Parks & Gardens, who arrange the annual London Open Gardens, endeavour to protect the capital’s green spaces: “We help everyone to appreciate and access historic green spaces from our home at the iconic Duck Island Cottage in St James’ Park, SW1.

“Through our regular series of talks and our publications, you can learn about the people that have shaped London’s parks and gardens and ongoing management challenges.

“There are lots of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, such as researching and recording; or helping to campaign to protect London’s precious landscapes.”

London Open Gardens Weekend takes place on 10 and 11 June.

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