news Archives - Jubilee Gardens Trust

15 December 202516 December 2025

Planting for Pollinators: Park Plaza Volunteers at Jubilee Gardens

On 5 November, Jubilee Gardens welcomed a team of eight volunteers from Park Plaza for a dedicated day of planting as part of their ongoing corporate sponsorship of the Gardens. The team worked tirelessly throughout the day, planting over 1,000 bulbs. These included daffodils and tulips, chosen not only for the burst of springtime colour they will bring, but also for their value as an early nectar source for bees and other pollinators emerging after winter. The volunteers also planted winter-flowering annuals to ensure the Garden remains bright and welcoming during the colder months.

This activity builds on Park Plaza’s generous support earlier in the year, when their sponsorship enabled us to plant a new holly hedge, now growing strongly and providing important habitats right through the centre of the Gardens.

Daniel Pedreschi, Executive Vice President Operations UK, said:

“At Park Plaza, we believe in creating meaningful connections beyond our hotels. Supporting Jubilee Gardens allows us to give back to the local community and help preserve a space that brings joy to so many. We’re proud to see our team’s efforts making a real difference.”

Ted Inman, Chair of the Jubilee Gardens Trust, said:
“We are extremely grateful for Park Plaza’s continued support for Jubilee Gardens. Their sponsorship of the new holly hedge has already made a visible difference, and we were delighted to welcome their volunteers to the Gardens. The team’s hard work and commitment made a significant impact in just one day, and we value this ongoing relationship enormously.”

The Jubilee Gardens Trust looks forward to continuing to work closely with Park Plaza as partners in enhancing and protecting this much-loved green space on the South Bank.

18 October 202512 December 2025

Improving Visitor Experience: New Signage for Jubilee Gardens

New signage plans for Jubilee Gardens

We’re updating the signs and information panels across Jubilee Gardens to make them clearer, more accessible and more informative for everyone who visits. The current signs were installed back in 2012 and, after more than a decade of service, are showing their age.

What’s changing

We’ll shortly be applying for advertising consent – the formal planning process for signage – for a series of improvements across the site. The plans include new totem signs at all the Gardens’ entrances to welcome visitors, explain how the space can be used, and include tactile and braille maps for visitors with visual impairments. These will replace the smaller signs currently on the grass.

At the two riverside entrances, new information panels will feature video screens sharing the history of the site and the Trust’s role in caring for it. These and additional panels near the playground will also tell more of the Gardens’ story, especially important as we approach the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain in 2026.

The new signage will include details about the tree species in the Gardens, information about the work of the Jubilee Gardens Trust, and guidance to help visitors enjoy, respect and donate to support the Gardens.

Sharing our key messages

Following feedback and experiences during the pandemic, the updated signage will make key site rules easier to understand – such as the Gardens’ no-alcohol policy, which helps keep the space safe, welcoming and family-friendly.

Our 2024 visitor research showed that while most people love Jubilee Gardens, many aren’t aware that it’s managed by a local charity rather than the council. The new signs will help highlight the role of the Jubilee Gardens Trust and how people can get involved or support our work.

Designed with local input

The proposals have been developed by our Communications and Fundraising Committee, ensuring input from trustees appointed by local residents and businesses, as well as external experts. We’ve been in touch with relevant Lambeth officers who confirmed our preference for Legible London style totems at the entrances.

And our proposals were reviewed by Tom Lister of People Friendly Ltd, accessibility consultant to the 2012 re-landscaping project, who provided specialist advice on colour contrast, text size, and layout – helping to ensure the new signage is as legible and inclusive as possible.

We’ll keep you updated as our new signage and exhibition project progresses. Sign up to our quarterly newsletter to be the first to hear the news.

15 July 202512 December 2025

Jubilee Gardens achieves Green Flag Award for fifth year running

Jubilee Gardens celebrates Green Flag Award 2025 win

Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank has once again been recognised as one of the country’s best parks, after receiving the coveted Green Flag Award for the fifth year in a row.

The international quality mark for parks and green spaces celebrates the very best public spaces in the UK and around the world. This recognition reflects the continued hard work and dedication of everyone involved in caring for Jubilee Gardens – from the Jubilee Gardens Trust, the local charity responsible for the site, to the management and maintenance teams who keep it looking its best every day.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in Jubilee Gardens who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces like Jubilee Gardens make the country a healthier place to live and work, and a stronger place to invest.

“Crucially, Jubilee Gardens is a vital green space for communities on London’s South Bank to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it remains a free and safe place for families to socialise – offering real physical and mental health benefits.”

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 for quality across the UK and internationally.

Jubilee Gardens Trust is proud to receive this accolade for the fifth consecutive year – a reflection of the ongoing commitment to keep this much-loved green space beautiful, safe and welcoming for all.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here. Find out about the history of Jubilee Gardens and the Jubilee Gardens Trust which manages the space on London’s South Bank.

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.