Five Parks and Gardens to Enjoy

From exploring tree-lined parks and trails to relaxing in landscaped gardens, discover some fabulous new outdoor spaces by our developments.

We all need green spaces to relax, exercise, rest and play and being close to nature can improve our wellbeing as well as enhance a sense of community. And on every Berkeley site, we ensure that there is more nature incorporated into the development than was there before. We take a peek at five beautiful new green spaces to enjoy. 

On the Waterfront: Maribor Park, Royal Arsenal Riverside

Spanning over four acres once completed, Maribor Park connects Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich, London, to the River Thames, and is a vibrant, new green space for residents and the local community. Designed by award-winning landscape designers Gillespies to make the most of the expansive views of the river, it features paths for walking, running or cycling along with wildflower meadows and planting to reflect the rich variety of the English countryside. 

Its focal point is a waterway with a babbling brook and stepping stones. By the water’s edge, is a shallow water feature, the delta, which is surrounded by landscaped terraces that can be used for seating when it is drained to create a performance space for outdoor theatre or cinema. 

Hot on the Trail: Holborough Lakes

Set around a series of lakes, Holborough Lakes, in Snodland, Kent, offers many opportunities for outdoor fitness, play and socialising with neighbours. Its 1.6 hectares of green open space includes woodland, a village green, children’s play area and a cleverly designed trim trail, featuring stepping blocks, benches and climbing frames. Children, as well as adults, will love these fun challenges, which help develop balance, agility and coordination. 

Ernesto and Rita, residents of Holborough Lakes, say: “It’s a wonderful community, you always meet people enjoying the landscaping and everyone always greets each other. Having access to such an abundance of green space as well as the beautiful tranquil lake the homes sit around, was an added bonus and a huge selling point for when we were searching for the perfect property.”

Rooftop Oasis: The Paperyard

Computer generated image of the landscaped gardens, indicative only.

Enjoy stunning southerly hill views from the landscaped roof gardens at The Paperyard in Horsham, West Sussex, which will be completed this spring. Timber planters will house a colourful planting scheme of around 15 different species of herbaceous perennials and shrubs including Hebe ‘Red Edge’, Fuchsia ‘Aurea’ and Salvia ‘Silke’s Dream’, as well as trees such as Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’ with its scented creamy-white flowers. Designed with bench and cube seating and a central pergola, this rooftop oasis is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or drink and relax with friends and neighbours. 

Scenic Sanctuary: Courtyard Gardens

Nestled in the foothills of the North Downs, Courtyard Gardens in Oxted, Surrey, is built around magnificent tiered landscaped gardens. With diverse planting for colour and interest all-year round, as well as stylish seating areas, it is a beautiful place to socialise and relax in. Biodiversity has been at the forefront of the design, with insect boxes to encourage beneficial wildlife. James Stockdale from Charnwood Landscape Design, who designed the gardens, says: “The beauty of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was drawn on to help create a unifying and attractive setting with a unique character. The verdant soft landscape has a strong year-round structure from which colours, textures and forms grow.” 

Water’s Edge: Taplow Riverside 

In a tranquil setting, Taplow Riverside in Taplow, Maidenhead, offers wide open spaces and the River Thames and Jubilee River on its doorstep. There are 19 acres of country park to explore, trim trail exercise equipment and specially created picnic areas by the riverside. Sue and Keith, residents of Taplow Riverside, say: “It was always our dream to live near water. Now we wake up in the morning and look out onto the Thames, where there’s always something happening. It is so beautiful. We are keen walkers and are enjoying exploring the river walks.”