Latest news and information from Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, London

8 July 202512 December 2025

Annual International Brigade commemoration held in Jubilee Gardens

On 5 July 2025, hundreds gathered at the International Brigade memorial in London’s Jubilee Gardens for the annual commemoration, honoring the 2,500 volunteers from Britain and Ireland who fought fascism in Spain from 1936–39. The event, set beside the iconic sculpture by Ian Walters, brought together speakers, music, and wreath-laying to remember the Brigaders’ courage and legacy.

Speakers included Gawain Little, General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, and Meirian Jump, Director of the Marx Memorial Library in London – and a granddaughter of one the British volunteers.

Meirian Jump, Director of the Marx Memorial Library and granddaughter of an International Brigades volunteer next to the International Brigade memorial in Jubilee Gardens © 2025 Andrew Wiard.

Jim Jump, Chair of International Brigades Memorial Trust, said the story of the men and women who travelled to Spain to fight ‘is one of anti-fascism, of international solidarity and of men and women whose blood, in the words of Spanish poet Rafael Alberti, could sing across frontiers.’

Wreaths were laid by organisations and individuals including the Spanish embassy, the Basque Children’s Association UK, IB Cymru, Oxford International Brigade Memorial Committee, train drivers’ union Aslef, Marx Memorial Library, Communist Party of Britain and the London branch of the PCE Spanish Communist Party. Music was provided by Maddy Carty. The gathering closed with a collective singing of The Internationale, reaffirming the enduring spirit of anti-fascism and international solidarity.

For more information on the International Brigade Memorial Trust and the memorial sculpture in Jubilee Gardens click here.

29 May 202512 December 2025

Jubilee Gardens visitor research 2024: How people use and value the space

In summer and autumn 2024, audience research agency Indigo carried out a new study to better understand who visits Jubilee Gardens, how they use the space, and how they feel about it. The Jubilee Gardens visitor research 2024 builds on a similar study completed in 2016, allowing us to see what’s changed over time.

The study involved face-to-face interviews in the Gardens, along with online surveys shared through local networks and community groups well as by our website and social media. In total, 736 people took part across all channels during August and October 2024.

The results of the Jubilee Gardens visitor research 2024 show that the Gardens continue to be highly valued by their users, with perceptions improving steadily since 2016. In the latest research, 95% of respondents rated the Gardens as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, up from over 90% in 2016. The proportion of users describing the space as ‘very good’ has increased notably, from 40% in 2016 to 58% in 2024, reflecting growing appreciation across all groups, including residents, workers, and visitors from both within and outside London.

You can read about the results in more detail below, or click to download the full debrief here.

Who took part?

Participants fell into four main groups:

Residents – living locally (SE1 or SE11)
Workers – people who work nearby
Visitors from within London
Visitors from outside London, including international tourists

What did we learn?

Overall feelings are positive

Nearly all respondents (95% overall) rated the Gardens as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, with visitors from outside London being the most enthusiastic.
Most agreed the Gardens are a real asset to the South Bank and help improve the area.
The percentage of users rating the Gardens as ‘very good’ has risen significantly, from 40% in 2016 to 58% in 2024.
Residents in particular expressed more positive views than in previous years, highlighting a strengthened local connection to this important green space.

The Gardens are well used and well loved

Many use the space to relax, walk along the river, or enjoy lunch outdoors.
Families love the playground, with 94% or more agreeing it’s a great feature – a big rise in positivity compared to 2016.

“I just think of those colourful flowers and the fresh air, and I feel like I’ve relaxed my whole body,” said one resident.

A favourite for families

Residents and visitors from outside London were the most likely to visit with children.
Most people feel the play equipment is suitable for children of all abilities, and awareness of the free playground is very high.

Green space matters

Many described the greenery as “a welcome relief from the busy South Bank,” especially locals and workers.
A few people mentioned they’d like to see even more plants and flowers.

“It’s a wonderful place. I feel very uplifted there and I love living close to these gardens.” – Resident

Different ways of using the Gardens

Workers are the most likely to pass through the Gardens on their way to and from work.
Residents spend more time relaxing here and are the most frequent visitors – some coming several times a week.

“The open green space is incredible for adults working and living in the city.” – Worker

Some concerns

Some locals feel the Gardens are “too touristy” or “too crowded” at times, though this response was much less evident than in 2016
Comments also included suggestions for more seating, improved toilet facilities, and better maintenance of planting, grassy areas and bins.
A few residents and workers raised safety concerns after dark.

Understanding management

Many people assumed the Gardens were run by the local council – but the Gardens are actually managed by a dedicated local Trust.
Some called for more visible management or clearer signage about who looks after the space.

“Jubilee Gardens is well kept and I’ve always seen workers going around, cleaning it up as well as looking after the plants.” – Worker

23 April 202512 December 2025

New native holly hedge for Jubilee Gardens to support local wildlife

An exciting new project at Jubilee Gardens has brought a wave of greenery and biodiversity to the area with the planting of 300 holly plants (Ilex aquifolium), forming a beautiful, native hedge. The project, which is aimed at supporting local wildlife, was made possible with the generous sponsorship of PPHE Hotel Group, who own, manage and operate the Park Plaza and art’otel brands.

This dense, evergreen hedge is not only a stunning addition to the gardens but also serves a vital role in providing shelter and food sources for local wildlife. The thick, spiny leaves of the holly create a safe haven for birds, offering shelter and protection, especially through the harsh winter months. Additionally, the bright red berries produced by the holly plants offer a much-needed food source for birds, while the leaves also act as a larval food source for several butterfly and moth species, including the beautiful Holly Blue butterfly.

The flowers on the female holly plants are also a key attractor for pollinators, helping to foster a thriving ecosystem within Jubilee Gardens.

The hedge, which covers an impressive 100 square meters, replaces a large area of box hedge that had previously succumbed to box blight, a destructive disease affecting box plants nationwide. The new holly hedge is not only a hardier and longer-lasting alternative but also an environmentally friendly solution, enhancing the natural beauty of the area while supporting local wildlife.

Ted Inman, Chair of Jubilee Gardens Trust, commented: ‘As a local charity, Jubilee Gardens Trust really appreciate the support of its neighbours and we are immensely grateful to PPHE Hotel Group for entering into this sponsorship. This new holly hedge is not just an enhancement to the Gardens but also a critical addition to the local environment, supporting biodiversity and providing a refuge for wildlife. The importance of accessible green spaces in urban areas cannot be overstated—Jubilee Gardens lies in an area with 63% less green space than the London average, making it a vital resource for local residents, employees, and visitors alike.’

Daniel Pedreschi, Executive VP Operations, PPHE Hotel Group, commented ‘We were delighted to enter into this sponsorship. Jubilee Gardens is an important open space close to our popular hotels on the South Bank and a great facility for our visitors and staff. We welcome our involvement with Jubilee Gardens Trust and this opportunity to enhance the attractiveness and biodiversity of the South Bank neighbourhood, a very important area for our hotel operations.

The introduction of the holly hedge is part of an ongoing commitment to promote sustainability, enhance biodiversity, and provide accessible green spaces for the community. Visitors to Jubilee Gardens can now enjoy not only the visual appeal of the newly planted hedge now, and as it matures, but also the knowledge that it is playing an essential role in supporting and preserving local wildlife.

28 March 202512 December 2025

New Benches: A Fresh Look for Jubilee Gardens

Our brand-new benches are already getting plenty of attention, enjoying their first use under the glorious sunshine this week!

Thanks to the generous support of the Veolia Environmental Trust with a grant of £16,447 through the Landfill Communities Fund, we’ve replaced all 10 of our old benches with durable, sustainable teak. This hardwood is not only built to withstand the test of time but will grow more beautiful as it ages, adding charm and character to the Gardens for many years to come.

The original benches, also funded by Veolia Environmental Trust, were installed in 2012 as part of a major relandscaping project. After 13 years of service and over 60 million visitors, these benches are still functional, but no longer ideal for the high traffic of Jubilee Gardens. We’re giving them a second life by donating them to local community and green spaces, where they’ll continue to be enjoyed.

Benches are a popular and heavily used feature of the Gardens, 47% of local residents, 57% of workers, and 54% of visitors choose to relax on them when they visit. The new benches have been thoughtfully designed to support accessibility, featuring sturdy arms to assist people when standing up, and are more comfortable than the informal granite seating found elsewhere. They have been strategically placed across all areas of the Gardens, so visitors never have to walk far to find a spot to rest. We’ve carefully repositioned some of the new benches to offer even better views across the Gardens and towards the London Eye, giving everyone a picturesque and relaxing spot to sit and enjoy the scenery.

16 July 202412 December 2025

Jubilee Gardens receives Green Flag Award for fourth year in a row

Jubilee Gardens in London’s South Bank has been officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks after being awarded the coveted Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Jubilee Gardens Trust, the local charity which is responsible for the Gardens, and the management and maintenance contractors that care for the green space on a daily basis so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Jubilee Gardens on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Jubilee Gardens is a vital green space for communities in London’s South Bank to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.