This was under the patronage of the Bishops of Winchester, who governed this district from their London seat of Winchester Palace. In the 12th century an Augustinian priory was founded close to the river, about half a mile north east of here, where Southwark Cathedral now stands. Once dank and misty marshland rolling down to the southern tide torn banks of the Thames, Southwark has been linked by bridge to the City since Roman times and has since seemed an integral part of London. Welcomed by smiley volunteers, I follow the entrance walkway, sloping up under its wonderful goose wing wooden roof, supported on twisty hand wrought posts (designed and built by Arthur de Mowbray). I pick up a coffee and get back well before 12 to find the gates already opened. So I wander the maze of surrounding Southwark streets between tall warehouse buildings, transformed from Victorian industrial grime into trendy loft apartments and designer office space. ![]() A flapping laminated sign tells me I have an hour to kill before the garden opens. ![]() ![]() The entrance gates are chained when I arrive at 11. ‘Sage, skulls and oyster shells’ (Wednesday 13 February 2019)
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