Photo: John Salmon / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Waterloo has done brilliantly at this year’s London in Bloom awards. St John’s Churchyard, the much-loved green space next to St John’s Waterloo, has been awarded Gold and named best in category for churchyards, while WeAreWaterloo has won Silver Gilt for its work to make the area greener, more biodiverse and more climate-resilient.

The Silver Gilt is a step up from the Silver award WeAreWaterloo received last year. During judging, the London in Bloom team visited Hercules Road, Kennington Road, Lower Marsh, Emma Cons Garden, Secker Street and Waterloo East SuDS to see how the planting and biodiversity work is benefiting both people and wildlife.

Over the past year, more local people have got involved through the Rooted lunchtime gardening club and Edible Marsh workshops. On Lower Marsh, urban gardener Frances has turned a former Tappy Stall into a mini allotment growing tomatoes, beetroot, chard and kale. Community gardener Frances Ward said: “Winning London in Bloom Silver Gilt after a summer of real gardening challenges is an absolute thrill.”

The award recognises not just the planting but the people behind it: the gardening and cleaning teams, local residents, businesses and partners who help care for Waterloo’s green spaces. Anyone who would like to help can join Rooted or the monthly Edible Marsh sessions.

Congratulations to everyone involved. These green corners make a real difference to life in Waterloo, and they are well worth a stroll.

Read more from WeAreWaterloo: WeAreWaterloo Awarded Silver Gilt at London in Bloom 2026