Hire this space
This perfect retreat from the bustle of city life is available to hire for garden parties, corporate gatherings, weddings, picnics and more. Just minutes from London Bridge and Borough High Street, our historic, award-winning garden, can be hired out completely, or you can just borrow a patch! Get in touch and tell us about your plans today.
Red Cross Garden
Red Cross Garden is an award winning open space which BOST renovated and restored to its original Victorian layout in 2005. Steeped in history it was built along with its neighbouring cottages in 1886. Designed by Octavia Hill (1838-1912) a social reformer and one of the three founders of The National Trust this park was her flagship project and at the time Red Cross Garden demonstrated the importance of improving housing for the poor and the need for meaningful occupations for poor workers.
The historic layout of Red Cross Garden was lost under municipal grass and tarmac by the late 1940s and became much underused.
BOST secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Southwark Council and restored many of its original features. The garden was officially opened by the Princess Royal on 1st June 2006. We have a regular group of volunteers to help maintain the garden who also develop tours of the key historic details of the scheme, along with regular after-school clubs, poetry readings, celebrations, and events.
If you would like to find out more about Octavia Hill you can visit Octavia Hill’s birthplace house in Wisbech. Click here for more information.
Red Cross Garden, 50 Redcross Way, London, SE1 1HA