Russia Dock Woodland Rotherhithe

Russia Dock Woodland is an oasis in this part of busy London. It supports a huge variety of plant, animal and bird life, some of it rare. It is used and enjoyed by local residents of all ages, many of whom are very active in promoting its interests and are partly responsible for its ongoing improvements.

General facilities

Opening times

Russia Dock Woodland is open 24 hours 365 days

Location and transport

Park Entrances: Redriff Road, SE16.
Car and Bike parking: Car and bike parking facilities can be found at the Redriff Road entrance, Downtown Road.
Underground: Canada Water (Jubilee line).
Buses: Take the 381, C10 Salter Road.

History of the park

Brief history

Following the closure of the Rotherhithe docks in the 1970s, the Rotherhithe Peninsula was redeveloped by the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). In 1980 Russia Dock, originally a dock used for importing timber from Norway, Russia and Sweden, was in filled and planted as native grass areas for recreational activities, and a series of water channels and ponds providing habitats for kingfishers and herons.

The park still contains surviving dock features including the retaining wall capstones and mooring chains. In 1985 the LDDC added an artificial hill, Stave Hill, to the west edge of the park, using waste material and rubble. A relief map of the former docks in cast bronze by Michael Rizzello stands at the top of the hill.

Friends group

There is an active ‘Friends of Russia Dock Woodland’ group. They can be contacted by writing to:

Friends of Russia Dock Woodland
5 Somerford Way
London
SE16 6QN
Tel: 020 7237 7586 and 07947 275386

Visit the Friends of Russia Dock Woodland website.
Join the Friends of Russia Dock Woodland’s email group.

Get involved!

The Friends of Southwark Park and Young Friends of Southwark Park play a key role in running Southwark Park and are responsible for organising a number of events in the park. Both groups meet every month.

If you would like to get involved in Southwark Park please call the Southwark Park community outreach officer or the park manager on 020 7525 2000.