Originally the private grounds of the 18th century Dane House, this fine rolling park was opened to the public in 1907. It is named after the Victorian scholar, writer and social campaigner John Ruskin, who lived locally. Some features of the original estate can still be found, such as the porch with pairs of columns. The landscaped pond is one of the park’s main attractions, and the magnificent arboretum includes a number of unusual tree species. The western area is mainly amenity grassland and scattered trees, and has a great view across central London.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Ruskin Park
Borough: Lambeth
Grade: Borough
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 14.9 ha
Description
Wildlife
Trees encircling the pond include aspen, ornamental cherry and Caucasian wingnut, as well as the Chinese corkscrew willow. Tall fringing vegetation includes great willowherb, purple-loosestrife, water figwort and Indian balsam. Pendulous sedge provides shelter for resident moorhens, mallards and Canada geese. Dense shrubberies have been planted with a mix of native and exotic species. These provide ideal nesting habitat for common birds including blackbirds, robins and dunnocks. Unusual trees in the park include Judas-tree, maidenhair tree, ashleaf maple and Indian bean-tree.Facilities
Playground; paddling pool
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