Heritage
Heritage connects us with our identity, our sense of self, wellbeing and belonging. In developing our winning bid for London Borough of Culture, thousands of conversations highlighted how deeply cultural heritage matters to our communities.
In 2024, a study by Historic England affirmed what many already know - Wandsworth’s historic parks, buildings, and monuments contribute to making it one of the happiest places to live.
We are working closely with local heritage partners, charities, national museums and heritage institutions, Roehampton University and the Wandsworth Heritage Service on a range of projects that celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of the borough, as well as support young people into heritage careers.
Wandsworth Heritage Collection
Britain Called & We Answered
Written in the Records: Black Presence in Putney’s Past
Story Catchers
Wandsworth Heritage Green Plaques
Memory Boxes for Dementia
Memory Boxes for Dementia, in partnership with the University of Roehampton and local organisations, brings Wandsworth’s rich heritage collection into care homes and community spaces. These bespoke interactive time capsules - filled with sensory objects, archive materials, and recordings - will be used to spark connection, trigger memories, and support wellbeing for people living with dementia.
Out of the Archive: A Creative Journey through the Heritage of Wandsworth
Wandsworth Heritage Festival
1000 Londoners: How One Community Transformed Derelict Land into a Public Park
This short documentary film explores the transformation of a derelict piece of public land in Wandsworth, London, into a valued community greenspace through the efforts of local residents.
In the mid-1970s, Eloise’s parents, Eileen and Brian, were among the first residents of Carey Gardens Estate. With no garden space of their own, they recognised the potential of a neglected area across from the estate. Together with neighbours, they took direct action, laying turf, planting trees, and installing play equipment, to create a usable green space for local families.
Brian, an artist, also contributed creatively by painting murals around the area, including a prominent piece on the wall of the green space. These works aimed to make art accessible and relevant to the community, celebrating local life and identity. Although the park was later closed and returned to council control, it has recently reopened with support from Wandsworth Council. As part of the relaunch, a new mural was commissioned from artist Pins, who involved local children in the creative process, echoing the community-led spirit of the original project.
This film was created by Wandsworth-based film-makers Chocolate Films, and is part of 1000 Londoners, a ten-year digital project which aims to create a digital portrait of a city through 1000 of the people who identify themselves with it.