Parkitecture: The Hidden Jewels Of London's Parks

M@
By M@ Last edited 80 months ago

Last Updated 22 August 2017

Parkitecture: The Hidden Jewels Of London's Parks
Changing rooms at Tooting Bec Lido.

Londoners go to parks for all kinds of reasons: sunbathing, to walk the dog, to give the little people a play on the swings... Parks offer an escape from the metropolis. So how many of us take the trouble to appreciate their buildings and structures?

A new book by Paul Rabbitts lifts the lid on some of the architectural treasures to be found in our parks. The book is nation-wide, but has a strong showing of 'parkitecture' from the London area. Here are some highlights.

Baroque orangery near Kensington Palace.
Iron balustrade in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow.
A simple but striking boat house in Hyde Park.
Clissold House in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington.
Rye House gateway in the Lea Valley - all that remains of this home of Catherine Parr.
Victoria Park pavilion and cafe.
An old shelter in Albion Square, Hackney.

Parkitecture: Buildings and Monuments of Public Parks by Paul Rabbitts is published by Amberley Publishing. Photos of Victoria Park, the Orangery and the boathouse copyright Peter Jeffree.