Hermitage Riverside Memorial Garden

The Hermitage Riverside Memorial Garden occupies the former site of Hermitage Wharf, a location that was completely destroyed during a devastating firebomb raid in December 1940. This space now serves as a dedicated tribute to the East End residents who lost their lives or were injured during the intense bombing campaigns of the Second World War. The existence of this garden is the result of a determined, long-term campaign by local residents. As the area underwent significant redevelopment in the late 1990s, the community successfully ensured that this stretch of the riverbank remained a public space rather than becoming entirely private property. The creation of the garden and its riverside walkway was made a mandatory requirement for the developers of the surrounding luxury apartment complexes through official planning agreements. The garden is centered around a prominent stone sculpture of a dove, which acts as the focal point of the memorial. It provides a quiet vantage point along the Thames Path where you can look out toward Tower Bridge and the city skyline. While the landscape is modern and relatively simple in its design, it purposefully maintains a sense of openness to reflect on the history of the civilian casualties in London during the blitz.