The Rookery is a Grade II listed historic garden located at the top of Streatham Common. Often described as a "hidden gem," it is a formal, landscaped area renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and award-winning horticultural displays.
It contains a cascade of ornamental ponds, planted herbaceous and wildflower beds, including an Old English Garden (a walled garden, featuring sundials, fountains, and rose-covered pergola and a White Garden (a walled garden featuring sundials, fountains, and rose-covered pergolas). It also includes ornamental and native hedges, an orchard and community garden
It originally formed the landscaped gardens of a large private house called ‘The Rookery’ which was built on the site of mineral springs discovered in 1659. It served as a retreat for London's elite seeking the waters' medicinal properties.
However, when the house and gardens were threatened with disposal and redevelopment, local resident led by Stenton Covington campaigned to save the land from developers. It was bought by public subscription and laid out as a formal open space, first opening to the general public in 1913.
The Rookery is also rich in wildlife as well as history, especially its wooded edges, hedges, ponds and orchard, which is why part of the Rookery was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in 2013 along with Streatham Common. It is also close to the 'Capital Ring', a long-distance circular walking route that goes around large parts of Greater London.
It is currently managed by the Streatham Common Cooperative (SCCoop), the first community-led enterprise in London to take direct responsibility for a Lambeth park.
