Agnes Riley Gardens

A medium sized public open space located between Clapham, Balham and Streatham.

Agnes Riley Gardens is located on what used to be the grounds of Oakfield House. This was owned by a Mr. Frederick Riley, who in 1931 donated it to the public in memory of his wife Agnes after her death. It was laid out as a public open space in successive stages between 1938 and 1954.

Agnes Riley Gardens contains a children’s playground, a new wet play facility, and two multiuse games areas. The rest of the site is landscaped with lawns, trees and herbaceous beds. It also contains a pond at its centre, which is probably a remnant of the original gardens of Oakfield House but is now laid out and managed for its wildlife interest.

The north-western corner of the site contains the Agnes Riley Community Garden in which local residents and other site users have created not just a haven for wildlife, but also work together to grow vegetables, fruits and other food plants across a number of raised beds and a polytunnel. There's always space and a place for new volunteers to help maintain and revive the community garden: you don’t need any gardening experience, just enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in! You can find out more about the community garden, including when gardeners are on site and how to join, at Agnes Riley Community Garden.

Other useful information

Please note that Agnes Riley Gardens does not contain any public car park, and there are no parking facilities on site. Parking on surrounding streets is heavily restricted, except for current Blue Badge holders. However, the Gardens are well served by public transport with buses from Poynders Road (A205), and underground from Clapham South (Northern Line). 

Friends of Agnes Riley Gardens - Friends of Agnes Riley Gardens

Find out more about booking sports facilities at Agnes Riley Gardens.