Breakspears Mews Community Garden

About us

Breakspears Mews Community Garden is a shared green space that has been planned, designed, built and maintained by a core group of volunteers for the use and enjoyment of all Brockley’s community. We grow vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers.

The Garden was created in 2013 with a handful of raised beds, and since then more beds have been added. With additional funding from the Brockley Assembly Mayor’s Fund we also now have a greenhouse! See below for more about our history.

The Garden is located on Breakspears Mews, just off Ashby Road, SE4. You can also access it from the rear of St Peter’s Court, 29-31 Wickham Road, SE4. (See map below)

During November 2021 we will be open to the public on Sundays from 11am to 1pm.

We are keen to attract both beginners and experienced growers – we still have a lot to learn! There are always lots of jobs to be done some involving heavy work for those that enjoy a workout along with gentle sowing, weeding and picking. There’s also a lot of talking, laughing and meeting new people!

We follow four Guiding Principles of Community Gardening:

Garden organically: no pesticides are be used on the site
Encourage more people to get involved
Don’t leave rubbish on the site; leave it as you would like to find a garden
Have fun!

All produce picked during sessions is shared amongst those who have come along!

Join our mailing list here, to receive our regular email newsletter detailing forthcoming open days and events. You can also follow us on Instagram.

: Courgettes

: Cabbages

Activities

Broccoli… in Brockley!

During the growing season, we try to run regular Open Sessions. Please sign up for our regular email notifications to be kept up to date on sessions. See email address at the bottom of this page. All produce picked during sessions is shared amongst those who have come along!

During November 2021 we will be open to the public on Sundays from 11am to 1pm.

Join us for some light gardening duties, or just pop by for a cup of tea with the regular volunteers. Everyone welcome!

NB: In the event of heavy rain, sessions may be cancelled.

: Open Day 2014

: Real tomatoes!

: Visitors admiring the crop at Breakspears Mews Community Garden

: Tending the garden

: Winter: Wreath and pumpkin

: BMCG Seniors’ gardening club. May 2015

: BMCG Harvest time!

: Breakspears Mews Community Garden

Brockley Station edible garden and mini-meadow

We have also recently teamed up with the Brockley Cross Action Group (BXAG) to re-establish and replant the old communal edible garden and the mini meadow areas at Brockley Common (beside Brockley station). The first session will be on Sunday 8th April 2018, from 1pm until 5pm, with (hopefully) a second session a week later on Sunday 15th April.

The BXAG will provide all tools and gloves, along with refreshments in the Broca. Just bring some warm clothing and proper footwear! It’s a great opportunity to meet other local people, have some gardening fun, and keep up the momentum of the much-needed greening of Brockley Common! So spread the word, and bring a friend!

School visits

We love talking about the Garden to anyone who is interested, and have already been visited by several classes from local schools. Children love to find out about plants and food, and especially enjoy having a go at digging and picking. To find out more about a visit, please contact us at our address (see below).

: Gardening class

: BMCG Young Gardeners during a lesson

: BMCG Young Gardeners

: BMCG Children digging

History of the Community Garden

In 2010 local residents approached the Brockley Society for help on action to curb rubbish dumping and the anti-social behavior that had plagued Breakspears Mews for 15 years. Showing dogged determination a core team with the help of local residents arranged meetings with the relevant Council agencies, and after much discussion Planning Permission for Change of Use to a Community Garden was granted in May 2012.

The core team went on to negotiate a Lease with Lewisham Council, funding was awarded from the local Brockley Assembly Mayor’s Fund, without which the garden would not exist in its present form.

The Lease was signed and the rubbish cleared on 8th March 2013. A team moved in to erect prebuilt beds which volunteers helped to line and fill with drainage material and soil. Since then, hundreds of volunteer hours have gone into developing and maintaining the space as a unique resource for green-fingered locals!