Cherry Gardens & Pier

Jamaica House [Picture Courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum)

Miss Kitty and I enjoyed a walk through a recently created public garden between the River Thames and Bermondsey Wall East. Cherry trees have been planted there to echo the cherry orchard that was in situ in 17th century for the delight of the visitors to the pleasure gardens that were once there.
 
Samuel Pepys also took this route on his way from the City of London to the Dockyards at Greenwich, his diary entry of 13 June 1664 “and so to Cherry-gardens and carried some cherries home”. We wonder if he also enjoyed the other delights on offer … 

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Jamaica House was also close by and noted in Pepys diary after a visit by him and his wife. The pleasure gardens had closed by the end of 19th century, and Jamaica House has been demolished but the cherry trees remained, as did the name of the street, the stairs and pier.




This is where Georgian Dining found themselves on Friday afternoon, via Cherry Garden Pier, on board the latest venture by City Cruises, a boat to be launched mid-September and called ‘Alpha’.  A fine,  modern sightseeing vessel where the passengers do not have to suffer the vagaries of the English weather but can enjoy the views of the banks of the Thames through huge windows! For the brave there is top deck!
 
We are currently involved in developing a culture cruise with City Cruises all about the Georgians and the connections through this period with the river, think maritime, Handel’s Water Music and pleasure gardens. The schedule is slightly haphazard at present and apologies to our keen followers who booked up and then were sadly disappointed.  Please do not give up on this new venture we are participating in but sadly have no control over.  Here are some pictures of us having fun on board after the photo shoot. 

​We look forward to welcoming you on board City Cruises cultural venture very soon.

 Information on Cherry Gardens from:
​http://www.exploringsouthwark.co.uk/cherry-gardens/4587640952

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