I wander thro’ each charter’d street – Inquiries into Psychogeography by Group 2
The New Gardens- area research of Vauxhall in London
By Xinyan Tan
Spring Gardens, the little thoroughfare which lies behind the southwest frontage to Charing Cross, derives its name from the Spring Garden, formed, probably, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth in the north-east corner of St. James’s Park as an addition to the pleasure grounds of Whitehall Palace. The Oxford English Dictionary gives as one meaning of “spring”, “a plantation of young trees, especially one inclosed and used for rearing and harbouring game,” and it seems probable that it was in this sense that the Spring Garden was first so called.
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens today is an inner-city park. The park opened in 1976 and was originally called Spring Garden, but was re-named Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens in 2012. There is Vauxhall City Farm as well as deciduous trees and allotments.
The first published mention of Vauxhall Gardens as a resort of pleasure appears under its original name in the diary of John Evelyn, who recorded on 2 July 1661 that ‘I went to see the new Spring-Garden at Lambeth a pretty contriv’d [meaning well designed] plantation.’ His fellow diarist Samuel Pepys was to become a regular visitor; Pepys was the first to enumerate some of the perennial delights of a visit, in particular the boat-trip across the Thames, the song of the resident nightingales, and the seductive women who made Vauxhall one of their favoured places of work.
At this time, the Vauxhall area of south Lambeth was largely made up of pastureland, market gardens and orchards, with some industrial activity, notably glass and ceramic production, and a few houses.The New Spring Garden, with its eight acres or so of wooded rectangles and avenues, took advantage of this rural environment, becoming known as a pleasant place to escape the noise, smells and dangers of the city. It was also known for its relaxed attitude towards amorous encounters of all sorts.
“Do you know that the garden back of our Spring Mews was a farm before?”
“I know it used to be a farm, but I haven’t visited it specifically since I lived here for two months. Passing by the park before is the first impression that this park is very small (compared to my previous parks in China or Singapore), and it is simple and does not have many recreational facilities (you know the kind of facilities for old man sports Right). But what I really like is that he doesn’t have too many artificial facilities? For example, his seat is hidden in every corner of the park, and it will not appear obtrusively on the sidewalk, and the other is a lot of small animals. I think it’s pretty good.”
“Do you think that Vauxhall is a great area for living?”
“Vauxhall is actually very convenient. There are buses, subways and supermarkets. Anyway, you can buy everything you need in the neighborhood, but I still feel that this place is still deserted compared to the 1st district I know of. I feel that there is no victoria there, Haha…”
“When I first discovered a garden behind the apartment, I was very surprised. However, you can occasionally see squirrels or pigeons in this garden. I remember that no matter what time you go home, you will always be so quiet. There will be old couples resting on the benches and children playing skateboard after school.”
“For many international students, living in Spring Mews means the beginning of a new life in London. This garden is also a part of the new environment that makes people feel enjoyable. In fact, it helps us to adapt to this new environment to some extent.”