Open Garden Squares Weekend, 7-8 June

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An opportunity to visit Wormwood Scrubs Prison garden

Wormwood Scrubs Prison was the last major prison of the 19th century, built by Sir Edmund du Cane between 1875 and 1891.

Bounded on three sides by cell blocks and on the fourth by a Portland stone chapel, the central garden strongly resembles a traditional London square, laid out with paths, lawns, flower beds, trees and park benches. Hanging baskets and planters provide a colourful spectacle in summer.

Prisoners can gain employment skills through maintenance and horticultural work in the gardens, which also include areas of Mediterranean planting and vegetable plots.

As part of the prison service biodiversity action plan, Wormwood Scrubs is introducing spaces of wild-flower planting and a recycling scheme for green waste and other prison waste, such as cardboard, plastics and paper.

The Koestler Arts Centre (on the left just inside prison gates) will also be open to visitors, offering a large display of visual arts from UK prisons, young offender institutions, high-security psychiatric hospitals, secure units and probation services. Some items for sale.

Special Conditions:

The garden can be visited only on an escorted tour. Advance booking essential. See guidebook supplied with tickets for details. One prison tour per ticket holder. Visitors must be over 21 and provide two forms of identification, one with a photo and one with a current address. No recording equipment or backpacks. Mobile phones and cameras can be left at reception. Visitors will be subject to search procedures.

29 May 2008