SOUTH LONDON PARKS 177 



it has not hitherto been crowded, and is by no means 

 a playground of the poorest classes, but now the advent 

 of electric trams and rapid communication may some- 

 what lessen its exclusiveness. 



HoRNiMAN Gardens 



There are gardens of a very different character round 

 the Horniman Museum, not far distant. This collec- 

 tion, as well as the g^ acres of ground adjoining it on 

 Forest Hill, were the gift of the late Mr. J. F. Horni- 

 man, M.P., and the garden, kept up by the London 

 County Council, was opened in June 1901. The situation 

 is extremely attractive. A steep walk up an avenue 

 from London Road, Forest Hill, near Lordship Lane 

 Station, leads to a villa standing in its own grounds, 

 which is utilised for refreshment rooms and caretaker's 

 house, &c. The lawns descend steeply on three sides, 

 and on the western slope there is a wide terrace, with 

 a row of gnarled pollard oaks. From this walk there 

 is a wide and beautiful view, over the hills and parks, 

 chimney-pots and steeples of South London, with the 

 lawns and pond of Horniman Gardens in front. On 

 this terrace a shelter and band-stand have been put 

 up, and no more favoured spot for enjoying the open- 

 air town life, so common on the Continent, but until 

 lately so rare in England, can well be imagined. The 

 country round is still fairly open, between Forest Hill 

 and Brixton. Near the foot of Horniman Gardens lies 

 Dulwich Park, with the shady path known as " Cox's 

 Walk," from the proprietor of the " Green Man," and 

 the roads lined with trees connect Dulwich with Brock- 

 well Park, Heme Hill, so that this corner of London is 

 well supplied with trees. 



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