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Horseferry Playground

Children playing in the sandpit
Child on slide at the Horseferry Playground
Tyre swing at Horseferry Playground
Wooden horses at Horseferry Playground
Water play installation at the Horseferry Playground
Children playing in the sandpit
Child on slide at the Horseferry Playground
Tyre swing at Horseferry Playground
Wooden horses at Horseferry Playground
Water play installation at the Horseferry Playground


The Horseferry Playground in Victoria Tower Gardens features a sandpit, swings, a wide slide, dance chimes and a water play installation designed to represent the River Thames.

Surrounding the playground are metal railings, designed by artist Chris Campbell, based around a River Thames theme. They depict events such as The Great Fire of London and Lord Nelson's Funeral Barge, and includes views of the River Thames where landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral and The Shard are visible.

Horseferry playground's name is inspired by the ferry which existed on the site of what is now Lambeth Bridge. Owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the ferry dates back to the sixteenth century and was an important crossing over the Thames, from Westminster Palace to Lambeth Palace.

The playground in Victoria Tower Gardens was orginally created in 1923 and consisted of a large sandpit funded by paper merchant and local philanthropist Henry Spicer. His vision was to provide an exciting and safe area for children, especially those from poorer neighbourhoods, to play and socialise together.


Key details

Age range

  • Suitable for children up to the age of 12

Facilities

  • Public toilets

Opening times

January 10am-4pm

February 10am-5pm

March 10am-6pm

April 10am-7:30pm

May 10am-7:30pm

June 10am-7:30pm

July 10am-7:30pm

August 10am-7:30pm

September 10am-7pm

October (BST) 10am-6pm

October (GMT) 10am-5pm

November 10am-4pm

December 10am-4pm

Last entry to the playground is 30 minutes before closing time. The playground is closed all day on 25th December.

Children playing in the sandpit
Child on slide at the Horseferry Playground
Tyre swing at Horseferry Playground
Wooden horses at Horseferry Playground
Water play installation at the Horseferry Playground
Children playing in the sandpit
Child on slide at the Horseferry Playground
Tyre swing at Horseferry Playground
Wooden horses at Horseferry Playground
Water play installation at the Horseferry Playground

Things to see and do 

The Buxton Memorial

Burghers of Calais

Emmeline Pankhurst memorial

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