Museum of Gardening History

Today we went off to the Museum of Gardening History in Lambeth. It's housed in a church about 5 mins walk from our house & from the time we moved here I have wanted to go. Dont ask me why it took so long to get there. Probably something to do with the shit-tastic weather here for the past 8 months :)

The aim of the museum is "to enhance understanding and appreciation of the history & development of gardens & gardening in the UK, with reference to European and worldwide influence". Basically it is an old (& very beautiful) church that now houses a muesum full of old work tools & information about historical British gardening figures. The garden contains the tomb of Sir Joseph Banks & a replica of a 17th century knot garden.

The highlights were some of the very strange gardening tools - see below the glass cucumber straightener - & the garden.

Although very small, the garden provides a tranquil getaway from the bustle of London city. We visited on a beautiful spring day (infact the one of only 2 beautiful spring days this year). The other happy surprise was the bookshop. I have been looking for books on local Lambeth history & I have now found the motherload. I am going to go back there after next payday & get a stack of local history books.