Norwood Park

Look at those views! You can see for miles from here. This is Norwood Park, one of London’s hidden gems. It sits on one of the highest points in Lambeth, offering breathtaking views across South London. It’s hard to imagine that this peaceful park was once part of a vast, ancient woodland. The Great North Wood, as it was known, stretched from Croydon to Camberwell, supplying timber for the Royal Dockyards at Deptford. Most of the wood was lost to development, but Norwood Park remains as a reminder of its rich history. In the 19th Century, the common land was gradually enclosed and sold for development, but thankfully, part of it was saved and converted into a public park. The park opened in 1911, and was designed to retain many of the features of the old hilly common, such as the avenues of trees and hedges. Today, Norwood Park is a haven for wildlife, with a fenced wildlife pond and a tree-lined Country Walk. You can even spot deer wandering through the park sometimes. The park is jointly managed by Lambeth Council and a community group called the Friends of Norwood Park. They do a fantastic job of keeping the park clean and green and organising events – from guided walks to nature talks. Take a moment to soak in the peace and quiet of Norwood Park. The park has a long history and is a testament to the resilience of nature. The park is well-loved by the local community and offers a much-needed green space in the heart of the city.