Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens — Attraction in London

Formerly, or also known as Spring Gardens, the current rebranding rather oversells what has become a pleasant-enough but sanitised and rather featureless cut-through. A big section of these 'gardens' right in the middle, isn't even grassed over - which begs the question, does gravel or concrete still constitute a garden? when mother nature is getting edged out as the main surface? When does a park become a car park (albeit pedestrianised)? Of old, this place had a real identity and rep of its own; it had actual destination status in Vauxhall's grungier, edgier days. It was the place to gather after a night out. To check in with your mate. And, for new lovers who just met on one of Vauxhall's legendary dancefloors, a chance to see each other in full daylight for the first time. No, now it's been spruced up and sapped of any trace of these underground unofficial identities. After all, councils are the natural enemy of organic social movements, just as they are to any signs of wild nature. Their place in London's social fabric makes them the nexus of the modern, urban belief in rational policymaking. This sets them against the uncontrollable, the unpredictable, and the nonconforming. The council loves nothing more than to tell us what it's doing to purge us of them, be they unruly tree roots, young boys on escooters or people in parks. Councils are sitting prey for the vicelike grip of those 'professional resident-cum-letter-writer (whose voices more or less run where you live in London as long as there's a smattering of white affluent locals with time on their hands). The resulting conventional wisdom makes a virtue of cleansing such spaces of any unauthorized activities or wild, organic intrusions. Anything that cannot be dull-ly planned by committee. Not to say there aren't still very worthwhile places to visit close by - highlights are the city farm and the unique, eccentric tea rooms (-cum-occasional-theatre). The latter hard to miss as it juts right into the park. Its success, down to the drive and vision of its owner/s, such that it now radiates "social capital" to the area around. The council owes them a debt for doing what they never could. Imagine this corner of the park without it, just rows of estates and the sad, derelict pub, which they took over...

Well, now... Here is a park that truly lives up to its name. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is conveniently located in Vauxhall so 10 out of 10 for geographical accuracy. It is also a garden of sorts - it has things that are green and grow out of the ground - just what you'd expect from a garden (Google 'definition of garden' if you don't believe me!!) But where this place comes into its own is the pleasure aspect. Yes, it's in Vauxhall (tick), yes it's a garden (tick) but does it deliver pleasure? You can bet your bottom dollar it does! The pleasure one can attain from this place is incalculable. If it's pleasure you're after then look no further. Every square inch of this place is just teeming with pleasure. It's as if they employed some town planners who were at the top of their pleasure inducing game and let them loose on this open space. It has been optimally maximised for the greatest of pleasure. Let it be clear, this is not the sort of place where one can go to pleasure oneself inappropriately, as I discovered to my shame upon my second visit. Be very careful if this is your intention! All the pleasure that is on offer here is of the clean, family-friendly variety. If you've never been to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens before, drop everything that you are doing and go there now, and stay all day (and night if necessary). Do it! Boundless...

Great park to sit out in during the summer months. They do a great summer movies in the park series on a Tuesday or Wednesday in July I think where you can come with a deck chair or seat or blanket and watch a movie on the big screen. Their is a football pitch/basketball court. The city farm is here with a njce selection of animals and a small petting zoo always great to go along and see what’s just been born etc. this park was once popular in the time of Bridgerton although not the same now as it was then. Their are a few pubs nearby and a majestic wine house as well as some nice Portuguese restaurants and not to forget the tea room.

Their is a Santander cycle hire station near the tea house and east side of the park.

The August Bank Holiday see the Royal Vauxhall Taverns Sports Day which is always a hoot to go and watch. You also can believe this green space exists quite centrally in Zone 1 London. It’s nearest transport is Vauxhall Mainline, Underground (Victoria Line) and...