St. Paul's Churchyard & Eden Nature Garden

A small open space surrounding St. Paul's Church, Clapham, which is also home to 'Eden Nature Garden', a popular wildlife and community garden.

St Paul's Church has existed on this site since the 12th Century. It was originally the parish church for Clapham, until the building of Holy Trinity on Clapham Common in the late 17th Century.

The present church building was dedicated to St. Paul in 1815 and is Grade II listed by Historic England in recognition of its unique character and splendid architecture.

When the churchyard closed to burials in 1854, it came under the responsibility of Lambeth Borough Council in 1965, with the lower part of the churchyard made into a children's play area, and the upper section as a garden of rest. Matrimony Place, a lit open public footpath, passes down the middle of the churchyard between Rectory Grove and Wandsworth Road.

The churchyard is home to Eden Nature Garden, established in 2000 to transform an area of underused church land into a green, tranquil space in which people can sit or play. With its pond, planted beds and wildflower areas it provides a sustainable space for wildlife and people alike, and promotes environmental education and biodiversity through activities such as planting native British species and organic gardening.

Both the churchyard and Eden Nature Garden are part of a Local "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.

St. Paul’s Churchyard is one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks, and Eden Nature Garden is also one of 4 holders of the Green Flag Community Award. 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

Church of St Paul's, Clapham - Church of St Paul's, Clapham

Eden Nature Garden - Eden Nature Garden

Green Flag Award - Green Flag Award

Green Flag Community Award - Green Flag Community Award