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Orang Utan
10-09-2006, 18:59
I know it's not quite in Brixton but is everyone aware of this magical place? A beautiful sanctuary away from the madness. I've just spent the whole day there, rolling down hills, fishing for tiddlers and lying under splendid monkey puzzle trees. It's a lovely place but no-one seems to be aware of its existance.
zuszsa
10-09-2006, 19:02
Is it so magical you dont want to share it's location?:D
brix
10-09-2006, 19:04
I didn't know anything about it. Had to Google it to work out where/what it was. http://www.streathamsociety.org.uk/the_rookery.htm Looks lovely - can't believe I didn't know about it! :o
Mrs Magpie
10-09-2006, 19:07
There have been a few sexual assaults/rapes/gaybashings there which may have dented its popularity over the years.
Tricky Skills
10-09-2006, 19:38
Looks a little like the Secret Garden (http://www.mondaysmusings.blogspot.com/pictemps/secret.html) at Brockwell Park - shhhhh!!
BiddlyBee
10-09-2006, 19:40
I can't believe I've only just found out about both... think I'll be exploring in the next few weeks :)
lang rabbie
10-09-2006, 20:19
There have been a few sexual assaults/rapes/gaybashings there which may have dented its popularity over the years.

Horrific though those attacks are, it should be stressed they were in the middle of the night in the area between the nearby car park and woodland on Streatham Common, not in The Rookery Gardens when they are open to the public in daytime.
Mrs Magpie
10-09-2006, 20:33
Yes, but people don't read the local paper in the dark, so the image sticks....I've been on my way to the Rookery with children and picnic stuff and the well-meaning have warned me off....I'm not saying I wouldn't go there, just the the local folk-memory says it's not that safe.....
Orang Utan
10-09-2006, 20:39
Well, I was there TODAY and it was full of happy families having fun. Hardly a dangerous place at all.
Mrs Magpie
10-09-2006, 21:41
I'm not saying it's not safe, I'm saying there are people who perceive it to be unsafe...I should have said people attempted to warn me off...I still went, but the fact remains there are people who don't go there anymore
Mrs Magpie
10-09-2006, 21:42
More trying to explain why it seems to be a well-kept secret....
Disco Squirrel
11-09-2006, 08:52
It's hardly a dodgy place at all. Like Orang said it is full of happy families, old people and people just chilling out. I believe that the Rookery is closed at night anyway and I doubt that muggings would take place there during the day as it is very busy.
tarannau
11-09-2006, 09:16
I haven't been down there in well over 20 years! I can dimly recall walking around there and thinking it impressive, but it's all blurred into one big muddy memory of Streatham Common. In my memories it seems to be miles away from everything else, which I'm sure isn't the case.

I think I'm going to have to take a trip down to remind myself now

:)
OpalFruit
11-09-2006, 10:29
It's lovely.
The cafe at the entrance is minging, though, sadly!
Leon
11-09-2006, 14:53
It's lovely.
The cafe at the entrance is minging, though, sadly!

Teeheehee, always has been - it is part of the Rookery's charm.
lang rabbie
11-09-2006, 15:37
It's lovely.
The cafe at the entrance is minging, though, sadly!

They have a coffee machine now that makes a rough appropriation to an espresso now, though it ain't cheap.

The tea is still as foul and over stewed as ever - and will probably shortly be listed by English Heritage as a fine exemplar of beverage production c.1940.:D
saucisson
16-09-2006, 19:29
I love it, tis a bit like the secret garden in brockwell...but on different levels and with more of a stately home feel. lovely to sit on the benches in the sunshine and look at the monkey puzzle tree. last year they left it sort of fallow but its back to its best now, this has inspired me to get up there tomorrow.
dogmatique
17-09-2006, 00:00
*Brief and probably inaccurate*

The Rookery was originally part of the gardens of the long lost Streatham Hall, which Dr Johnson used as a country retreat at the behest of the owners as a place to complete his dictionary.

I've only ever felt nice things about the place, and have enjoyed it innumerate times, especially with my small friend Isobel, (three years old and counting) who makes me hide in the bushes and make houses with her in the shelters.

Love it. And I'm sure anyone who knows the outdoor theatre in the summer would agree.

Perfect for families and kids, especially for wild ring neck parakeet spotting.