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Old Paradise Gardens (formerly known as Lambeth High Street Recreation Ground, and informally as the Rec) is a park in
By 1880 the former burial ground was unsightly, and the Lambeth vestry decided to turn it into a public garden, which opened in 1884. In 1929 the recreation ground was extended with the acquisition of the site of a glass bottle factory in Whitgift Street. However, by the 1970s the recreation ground had been allowed to deteriorate, and had been largely asphalted over. It has subsequently been restored, and re-landscaped with grassy mounds, a water feature, seating and shrubs and spring bulbs planted. Spring bulbs were donated by the 
The former watch house is commemorated with a plaque. There were mortuary buildings in the north east corner, which were removed at the time of the restoration in the 1970s.
Gravestones are located around the perimeter of the walls of the gardens; the walls themselves are
Lambeth
Lambeth () is a district in South London, England, in the London Borough of Lambeth, historically in the County of Surrey. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The population of the London Borough of Lambeth was 303,086 in 2011. The area expe ...
in the London Borough of Lambeth
Lambeth () is a London boroughs, London borough in South London, England, which forms part of Inner London. Its name was recorded in 1062 as ''Lambehitha'' ("landing place for lambs") and in 1255 as ''Lambeth''. The geographical centre of London ...
in London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
, England, and opened to the public in 1884. Before it became a park, it was a burial ground of St. Mary's Church, Lambeth from 1703 to 1853.
Burial ground
By the early 18th-century the churchyard of St Mary's, Lambeth was full. In order to provide an alternate burial ground for the parish,Archbishop Tenison
Thomas Tenison (29 September 163614 December 1715) was an English church leader, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1694 until his death. During his primacy, he crowned two British monarchs.
Life
He was born at Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, the son ...
acquired a market garden in 1703 for the sum of £120. It was consecrated in 1705. It was extended in 1814, and the extension was consecrated in 1816. A watch house was erected in 1825. The burial ground closed in 1853.
Public garden
By 1880 the former burial ground was unsightly, and the Lambeth vestry decided to turn it into a public garden, which opened in 1884. In 1929 the recreation ground was extended with the acquisition of the site of a glass bottle factory in Whitgift Street. However, by the 1970s the recreation ground had been allowed to deteriorate, and had been largely asphalted over. It has subsequently been restored, and re-landscaped with grassy mounds, a water feature, seating and shrubs and spring bulbs planted. Spring bulbs were donated by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (also known as the MPGA) is a charity in London for the purposes of the preservation of public parks and gardens, established in 1882. It facilitated the creation of new public open spaces, including f ...
.
The former watch house is commemorated with a plaque. There were mortuary buildings in the north east corner, which were removed at the time of the restoration in the 1970s.
Gravestones are located around the perimeter of the walls of the gardens; the walls themselves are Grade II listed
In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...
, and were on the Heritage at Risk Register
An annual ''Heritage at Risk Register'' is published by Historic England. The survey is used by national and local government, a wide range of individuals and heritage groups to establish the extent of risk and to help assess priorities for actio ...
. Following restoration work in 2021, they have been removed from the register.
In 2013 the park was again refurbished, with new entrance gates, and renamed Old Paradise Gardens.
The Garden Museum
The Garden Museum (formerly known as the Museum of Garden History) in London is Britain's only museum of the art, history and design of gardens. The museum re-opened in 2017 after an 18-month redevelopment project.
The building is largely the ...
run weekly gardening sessions for local residents in the gardens. Future proposals include establishing a cut-flower business, in order to provide revenue for maintenance. Other proposals include wildflower planting to match that at the Garden Museum.
References
{{coord, 51.4934, -0.1190, format=dms, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title 1884 establishments in England History of the London Borough of Lambeth Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Lambeth Urban public parks in the United Kingdom