Ada Salter and the Beautification of Bermondsey

A circular tour from Bermondsey tube station

Discover the former Borough of Bermondsey through its trees; the legacy of Ada Salter, who became the borough’s mayor in 1919, and the green socialist utopia she helped create.

In 1897 an idealistic Ada Salter arrived in Bermondsey, then one of London’s poorest and meanest districts determined to transform it, along with the lives of its people. Key to her vision was the beautification of the borough through a pioneering environmental programme, including the planting of thousands of trees, of which one species – the Tree of Heaven – stands out. As well as tree-planting on an industrial scale, Ada Salter also developed model housing based on garden city principles. Only a little of this was built before the money ran out, but we shall visit the finest street, Wilson Grove.

We shall see some of the trees that Ada planted, including fine old London planes, poplars, and trees of heaven. Alongside these, Southwark Council (who swallowed the borough of Bermondsey in 1965) have planted many other fascinating and unusual species.

If you haven’t come across Ada Salter previously, here’s an article I wrote back in 2019, the centenary of her becoming mayor.

Walk details

• Start 10:30, Bermondsey tube station
• End 12:30, Bermondsey tube station
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours
• Terrain: Gentle, mostly paved surfacesPlaces are limited to 15

If you are interested in trees or London, then this walk is for you, it is one of a series covering aspects of the city that you may not have come across before, and introduce you to remarkable individual trees and dozens of species and cultivars that grow on our streets and in our public spaces. All the walks in this programme are led by me, Paul Wood. It’s a way to share my knowledge and passion, and, I hope, to show you London in a completely new way: through its trees.

I have curated each walk to both show off an interesting part of the city and to highlight some fascinating trees. Some of the walks have previously featured in my books either in part or whole, while others are completely new.

Places are limited to 15 people, and are of varying length and difficulty. Some are short and sweet, lasting an hour and a half, while others may take up to two and a half hours. While they follow urban routes, some are more strenuous than others, and while they are open to all, I have included details of each walk’s accessibility and terrain. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the walks, what we will cover and the routes. You can get in touch with me through my website.