The Rookery, Streatham

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The Rookery at Streatham Common

The Rookery is an attractive formal garden located between Streatham, Norbury and West Norwood. It is almost enveloped by Streatham Common, one of Lambeth's largest open spaces.

The Rookery, a Grade II Listed Historic Garden, contains a cascade of ornamental ponds, planted herbaceous and wildflower beds, including an Old English Garden and a White Garden. It also includes ornamental and native hedges, an orchard and community garden, and is adjacent to public toilets, a car park and a popular café.

It originally formed the landscaped gardens of a large private house called ‘The Rookery’. However, when the house and gardens were threatened with disposal and redevelopment, it was bought by public subscription and laid out as a formal open space, first opening to the general public in 1913.

The Rookery is also rich in wildlife as well as history, especially its wooded edges, hedges, ponds and orchard, which is why part of the Rookery was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in 2013 along with Streatham Common. It is also close to the 'Capital Ring', a long-distance circular walking route that goes around large parts of Greater London.

The Rookery, along with Streatham Common, is a Borough "Site of Importance for Nature Conservation" (or SINC) for the London Borough of Lambeth, in recognition of its importance not just for wildlife, but also for people living in both Lambeth and London to enjoy access to nature.

The Rookery is directly managed by Streatham common Cooperative (SCCoop), a local community-led enterprise. They employ staff and recruit/support volunteers to maintain its many horticultural, landscape, heritage, and wildlife features. Other key partners also play a role in how the Rookery is managed and used, including the Friends of Streatham Common, local businesses and residents.

The Rookery is one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks, as well as a holder of ‘Park of the Year’ award from London In Bloom. These awards recognise the achievements made to provide visitors to and residents of Lambeth with a clean, safe, welcoming and popular open space they can all be proud of.

Other useful information

Streatham Common - Streatham Common

Capital Ring Walk - Capital Ring

Streatham Common Cooperative (SCCoop) - Streatham Common Cooperative

Friends of Streatham Common (FoSC) – Friends of Streatham Common

Green Flag Award – Green Flag Award

London in Bloom - London In Bloom

Tennis in the Rookery - see booking tennis courts in parks and open spaces

Location

Address

Covington Way
Streatham
London SW16 3BX
United Kingdom

location

Opening times

Venue opening times

The Rookery is normally open from 7.30am until 15 minutes before sunset.

Enquiries

Phone:

Upcoming events at this venue