On 6 September, Pasley Park in Walworth will transform into a free community fete. But, the park also holds a hidden past and rich history, starting life as a zoo and having a direct link to a WW1 soldier…
Situated between Kennington and Walworth Road, it began life in 1831 as the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens, one of London’s first zoos. It was home to around 170 animal species and attracted 8,000 visitors per day.
The Dog Show
On 6 September, there will be a free community fete from 12pm – 5pm, with loads of free activities for kids and families:
- The much-loved Dog Show from 1:15-2:15pm. If you would like to enter your pooch, registration is from 12pm-1pm
- Music, dance, art, crafts and art workshops
- Free face painting for kids
- Food stalls with cuisines from all around the world
This year, the fete is themed around Sergeant Frank Stubbs, from Chapter Road in Walworth, who is memorialised in the park for his career as a soldier during the First World War.
Sergeant Frank Stubbs
On 25 April 1015, Sgt Frank Stubbs’ platoon stormed a beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. Frank led his men up the cliffs after cutting through wire entanglements and heavy machine gun bombardment.
However, they fell short of the rendezvous point and Frank was killed by a bullet to the head, aged 27. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his acts of bravery that day.
He joined the army at a very young age and went into the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. Having served in India, Frank was an experienced soldier when his Battalion was posted to the Dardanelles in 1914. His Platoon achieved their target during the battle where he fell, and all his men were in agreement that his courageous actions to scale the heights were worthy of the Victoria Cross.
The Friends of Pasley Park and Southwark Kaleidoscope have collaborated to put on the community fete, receiving funding from Southwark Council Neighbourhood Fund, North Southwark Environmental Trust and St Saviour’s charity.
One of the stalls at the community event
Peta Steel, the Co-Chair of the Friends of Palsey Park said: “Pasley Park is proud to stage this event, bringing our community together and reminding people of the bravery of one of our own local heroes Frank Stubbs who lived in Chapter Road”.
In the park, you can see two stone ostriches, which pay homage to its zoological past. The gardens were eventually built over but a small park was created in amidst the housing developments.
Date: 6 September 2025
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Location: Pasley Park, Chapter Rd, London SE17 3ES