Kennington Park was originally created from the historic Kennington Common, previously the scene of executions, large public meetings and marches. Although at first appearing fairly uniform, hidden away and easily overlooked is the Flower Garden, providing a bonus for wildlife. An interesting feature is the lodge at the entrance on Kennington Park Road. This was originally designed as two semi-detached cottages by Prince Albert, as an exhibition of model housing for families. It is known as the ‘Prince Consort Lodge’ in recognition of its history and designer. Kennington Park has been extended to the east of St Agnes Place, and it is hoped that in due course the wildlife interest of the extension will increase. English Heritage schedules the original park as being of historic interest.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Kennington Park
Borough: Lambeth
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 12.84 ha
Description
Wildlife
The magnificent mature trees scattered across the park reflect the Victorian planting tastes and consist of London plane, Norway maple, sycamore, evergreen oak and tree-of-heaven. Not far from the cafe is the Flower Garden. This provides a quiet haven with seating where visitors may enjoy the horticultural wizardry of earlier landscape designers. As well as many typical cottage garden plants, this garden also contains several species which seed naturally in roughland around London, for example evening-primrose, red valerian, buddleia, feverfew, mallow and tansy, although only the last two of these are actually native species. Many are excellent nectar sources for bees and butterflies. Also here are various colourful weeds typical of the London area, such as the yellow composites perennial sow-thistle, bristly oxtongue, Oxford ragwort, Indian balsam and rosebay willowherb.Facilities
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