Red Cross Garden

The Red Cross Garden, managed by the Bankside Open Spaces Trust, is located south of the famous farmers market on Borough Market, which is one of the largest and oldest wholesale and retail food markets in Southwark, in central London.

The Red Cross Garden was founded in 1887 by Octavia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust, as "an open-air lounge for the tired of Southwark residents." It was located on the site of an abandoned paper factory and a hop warehouse. The goal of the initiative was to improve the living conditions of poor workers in nearby factories and slum dwellers. We find here three main parts: a garden, a room and huts, mostly designed by Elijah Hoole so as to introduce into the sad life of the inhabitants of Southwark some beauty, greenery, art and contemplation. And although the garden was forgotten in the twentieth century, the Bankside Open Spaces Trust foundation restored the place to its former glory, making it a beautiful and visiting space again.