Jubilee Gardens

• Parks & Open Spaces

We have completed the transformation of the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The elegant granite edges provide extensive seating from which to view the colourful sculptured flowerbeds and the 69 new mature trees. Families can enjoy their picnics on the lush undulating lawns, while watching the children play on the impressive timber tangle, jungle area or spider’s web.

On 25th October 2012 Her Majesty The Queen congratulated Frosts at the official opening of the Jubilee Gardens.

Frosts Landscape Construction were delighted to have completed (on the 30th May 2012) the transformation of the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games. The major restoration works were completed on budget and have dramatically changed the flat featureless space into a beautiful landscaped park (1.6 hectares), which will welcome the many day-trippers, foreign tourists, and local workers. The project was given a Considerate Constructor Award-Performance Beyond Compliance award in May 2012, and the hard landscaping won Frosts a 2012 BALI Award.

The elegant granite edges provide extensive seating from which to view the colourful sculptured flowerbeds and the 69 new mature trees. Families can enjoy their picnics on the lush undulating lawns, while watching the children play on the impressive timber tangle, jungle area or spider’s web.

In September 2012 Phase two of the restoration of Jubilee Gardens started, this includes 25 new trees adding to the 69 mature trees planted in May. The flowerbeds will be extended by over 60% to nearly 600m2. 12 high quality benches made from Iroko wood will be installed, adding to the extensive granite seating alongside the granite paths. Signage detailing the history of the site will also be installed.

You can also see how some of the large trees were moved.

On 14 September 2011 Frosts Landscape Construction were very pleased to be appointed the main contractor and look forward to working with West 8, a leading firm of Dutch landscape architects who developed the scheme. Frosts also carried out the detail design and are involved in the novation of the Client’s design team, M&E Consultant and Construction Engineer.

The new gardens will continue to afford open views between the Riverside Walk at the base of the London Eye across to Shell Centre with its prominent tower.

The topography will permit improved views of the river and of the palace of Westminster through the London Eye.

On 18 October 2011, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and key figures from the Jubilee Project joined some of the Frosts Project team at the ‘Breaking Ground’ ceremony.

Phase 1 Works included:

• Removal of existing hard surfaces, retaining walls, concrete bollards, flood lights and other fixed structures.
• Relocation of the ‘International Brigades’ Memorial (commemorating members of the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War).
• 69 new trees (English Oak, Pin Oak, Common Beech, Bald Cypress, Sweetgum and Large Leaf Linden). Also retain six existing trees.
• Change existing levels to undulating topography - Importation of 8,200 tonnes soil and subsoil.
• 350m2 Flowerbeds (to Royal Parks standard) Rootzone soil.
• High quality durable lawns - 10,700m2 of Arena Sport Turf.
• Irrigation and drainage.
• New ‘meandering’ paths linking four access points.
• Granite sett paving both flamed and cropped 3700m2. Granite seating and edging units 1600 No.
• Comprehensive lighting and CCTV system.
• Children’s play area.