Found these images I took about five years ago when visiting Chumleigh gardens, a hidden gem in southeast London. Being part of Burgess Park, it’s a dedication to the area’s cultural diversity where Mediterranean, Islamic, Oriental, African & English gardens rest side by side. Having a massive weakness for Islamic gardens, there’s no surprise this was my favourite. Completely empty it was too when visiting, providing for plenty of photo opportunities.
Churmleigh gardens was established in 1995. The original plan was to locate it in the Aylesbury Estate, lucky that plan was aborted as that Estate is now a goner. If you are into exploring different types of gardens, this a good place to go. No need to travel across the world, just let you feet take you from one style to another in no time at all.
I recently learnt that there are two types of palm trees, one has feather-like leaves, the other fan shaped. This does not make me an expert … At first I thought maybe the palm tree forming the centrepiece of the Islamic garden was a Canary palm (Phoenix canariensis). Then I reconsidered thinking it’s more probably a Jelly Palm (Butia capitata). Then again, could be wrong on that too …
