Thames Barrier Park
Thames Barrier Park is a 7-hectare green space located in the Royal Docks - an area in the London Borough of Newham. The park is managed by the Greater London Authority. Opened in November 2000 it was London’s largest new riverside park for over 50 years. There is abundant wildlife and picnic and children’s play areas, a basketball court, visitor pavilion and coffee shop with views of the river and Thames Barrier.
About the park
Thames Barrier Park was designed by landscape architect Allain Provost (Groupe Signes) of Paris and architects Patel Taylor of London. Remarkably, the park was created on a site that once housed petrochemical and acid works on the Thames riverbank. The contaminated soil was covered with a 6 foot layer of crushed concrete to protect the new soil laid on top. Since its opening the park has won design awards in the UK and USA.
The parks design features 32 fountains in a stone courtyard and family facilities including children’s play and picnic areas. The fountains are temporarily closed while development works take place at Pontoon Dock
One of the most eye-catching features of the park is the 'Green Dock', a 130 foot long sunken garden running diagonally through the park that is intended as a reminder of the site's dockland heritage. The 'Green Dock' provides a wind protected microclimate for a variety of plants and wildlife.
Two bridges cross the Green Dock and reveal vistas across the colourful, scented gardens. The park also boasts extensive lawns that are crossed by gravel pathways and bordered by yew and maygreen hedges.
The park is carefully tended to display variety throughout the year, and provide a welcome habitat for birds and insects.
Visiting the park
Thames Barrier Park is open daily, from 07:00. Find out how to get there, as well as what facilities are available.
Friends of Thames Barrier Park
If you are interested in forming a friends group for Thames Barrier Park we would like to hear from you. Please contact [email protected]
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