King’s Stairs Gardens

The King’s Stairs Gardens is a riverside popular park for recreation and relaxation. Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and buggies, it forms a peaceful green oasis between the busy Jamaica Road and the River Thames

General facilities

• Dog walking: The playground is a dog free zone. Dog walking is allowed everywhere else in the park, but please look after your dog (s), behave responsibly and clear up dog mess (there are dog bins throughout the park). .
• Children’s play area: Suitable for ages 2 to 10 years.
• Picnic area: Picnic spots can be found within the park.
• Walks: The Thames Riverside Path and Jubilee Greenway run along the river in front of the park.
• Food and drinks: There are many cafes and pubs in the nearby areas of Jamaica Road and riverside

Opening times

King’s Stairs Gardens is open 24 hours

Location and transport

Entrances: Jamaica Road, Mayflower Street, Elephant Lane, Fulford Street and Paradise Street, SE16.
Tube: Bermondsey Station (Jubilee line), Rotherhithe Station (Overground).
Bus: Numbers  47, 188, 381, C10 and P12.
Car/motorbike: There are no designated parking areas. Cars and motorbikes are not allowed in the park.

Cycle:The National Cycle Network runs through the park and responsible cycling is encouraged along the larger paved and tarmac paths. Please watch your speed and be aware of pedestrians and children.

History of the park

The restored green hill area is a favoured spot for picnics and, along with the riverfront walk,  boasts unrivalled views along the river towards Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and the Shard.

A fenced off children’s playground with play equipment and safety surfaces in addition to the grassed areas are ideal for informal sports and games for families. The park had recent ecological enhancements including the creation of a wildflower meadows and butterfly borders within the perimeter of the parkl; it helped to be designated a Local SINC – a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

In 2012 King’s Stairs Gardens was awarded official Village Green status, and also became a Queen Elizabeth II Field, both in recognition of the park’s full, open access and its importance as a recreational facility for the local community and visitors. Together with the nearby remains of the 14th century manor house of King Edward III, the park forms the Edward III Rotherhithe Conservation Area.

The paved riverfront on the banks of the Thames at King’s Stairs Gardens features a striking Jubilee Stone commemorating the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty unveiled the original stone on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee in 1977. To coincide with the Summer 2002 restoration works in the park and nearby Southwark Park, a new memorial stone was unveiled by the Earl and Countess of Wessex marking Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee that year; and the Earl returned to King’s Stairs Gardens to reveal a new Diamond Jubilee inscription in 2012.

Get involved!

If you would like to get involved in Southwark Park please call the Southwark Park community outreach officer or the park manager on 020 7525 2000

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