St George's Garden

There has been a church named for St George the Martyr on this site since at least the 12th century. The present church was consecrated in 1786 at a cost of £6,000 out of a fund that had been created by Parliament for the building of 50 new churches in London during the time of Queen Anne. The churchyard was enlarged in 1816 and, having been closed for new burials in 1853, was laid out as a garden by St George the Martyr Vestry that was opened to the public in 1882.

 

In the early 1900s, London County Council wanted to extend Tabard Street across the churchyard to carry traffic directly into Borough High Street. Tabard Street was the new name for the infamous Kent Street. The new name carried a reference to Chaucer as his pilgrims started their pilgrimage in the Tabard Inn in Borough High Street and they would have taken the route down Kent Street on their way to Canterbury. In compensation, London County Council acquired additional land which was added to the garden and overall the size of the garden was increased by 5,000 sq ft.

 

The LCC refurbished the whole garden area which would be maintained by Southwark Borough Council. Trees were preserved during the works and existing footpaths adapted with new ones added. Several new seats were added with some installed around trees. Drainage was undertaken, a water supply and new fencing installed, and there was new planting and the formation of a grass area. It had been planned to include a children’s play area with playground equipment but there were rights of way issues that would take several years to determine so instead the area was laid out and planted. The new renovated and enlarged public park was opened in 1906.