Prison opens its doors as part of Open Garden Squares weekend
Wormwood Scrubs Prison in Shepherd’s Bush is just one of hundreds of gardens that will be open across London next weekend as part of Open Garden Square’s weekend.
Other gardens which will be open on June 7 and June 8, include the Maggie's Centre in Fulham Palace Road, the gardens of Kelmscott House in Upper Mall, Hammersmith where poet and founder of the arts and crafts movement William Morris lived, and Fulham Palace in Bishop's Park.
Wormwood Scrubs will be open on Saturday 7 June from 10.30 to 16.00 and on Sunday 8 June from 14.30 to 16.00.
HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs was the last major prison built in the 19th Century. It was built by Sir Edmund du Cane between 1875 and 1891.
Bounded on three sides by cell blocks and on the fourth by a fine Portland stone chapel, the central garden strongly resembles a traditional London square, laid out with paths, lawns, flower beds, trees and park benches.
Hanging baskets and planters provide a colourful spectacle in summer.
Visitors will have the opportunity to go on guided tours between 10:30-14.30 on Saturday and at 14:30 on Sunday to see large displays of visual arts from UK prisons, young offender institutions, high-security psychiatric hospitals, secure units and probation services.
This year is the 10th Anniversary of Open Garden Squares Weekend, which is organised by London Parks & Gardens Trust and sponsored by TfL.
It is anticipated that approximately 10,000 people will visit the vast range of gardens.
Of the 170 gardens throughout London from Enfield in the North to Croydon in the South, 120 of the gardens are not usually open to the public.
The gardens range from private residential squares to allotments and prisons.
Special conditions apply to all visitors and details can be found on the Open Garden Squares website www.opensquares.org
May 30, 2008