Myatt's Fields Park, Camberwell
Spring time in a south London park
(Photos © urban75, April 2007)
A lovely Victorian park sporting much-admired seasonal bedding displays, Myatt's Fields Park has recently enjoyed an extensive refurbishment.
The park is built on or near the site of market garden managed by Joseph Myatt, who grew strawberries and rhubarb for selling uptown in London.
The land was given by William Minet for a public park, opening on 28 May 1889. The facilities now include three tennis courts, a bandstand and a ball games area, with a play area, paddling pool and sandpit for kids.
The park also hosts the Harvest It Festival.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-01.jpg) Michael Church, close to Myatt's Fields Park.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-02.jpg)
Home to the excellent Lambeth Archives, the Minet Library stands close to this scene in Knatchbull Road and replaced the original 1890 building given by William Minet which was bombed in the second world war.
Minet also donated his personal collection of Surrey archives which now forms the core of the Lambeth Archives housed inside.
Standing opposite (and seen here) is Longfield Hall whose rounded lines echo the shape of the original library building.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-04.jpg) One of several attractive wrought iron entrances to the park.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-03.jpg)
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-05.jpg)
Some shots of the famed flower beds.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-06.jpg) The 1894 bandstand.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-07.jpg) Roof detail.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-08.jpg) Park view.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-14.jpg) Built by the old London School Board, this striking building adds a fairytale skyline to the area around Myatts Fields.
The building is serves as a school, and is used an annexe by girls of Charles Edward Brooke School.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-09.jpg) The restored summer house.
![Summer house, Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-19.jpg) View of the summer house looking north west towards Cormont Road taken in 1909.
(pic: Lambeth Archives)
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-12.jpg) Another view of the summer house.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-13.jpg) Looking inside (sadly it was locked so I had to peer through the railings).
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-10.jpg) Spring bloom.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-11.jpg) Park view.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-15.jpg) Ornate ironwork showing the date of the park's opening.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-16.jpg) Details from one of the attractive entrance gates.
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-17.jpg) The 'quiet garden.'
![Myatt's Fields Park, Cormont Road, Camberwell London SE5 April 2007](images/myatts-field-18.jpg) Nearby wall of the old St Gabriel's College, a residential girl's school.
St Gabriel's: Memories from the 1920s
Also nearby: The Camberwell Submarine
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