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Home » Film Library » Gardens of the Excalibur Estate, Catford

Gardens of the Excalibur Estate, Catford

We’re pleased to share with you a film celebrating the gardens of the Excalibur Estate in Catford, South London, directed by Peter Kindersley and presented by Matthew Wilson, garden designer, and writer.

The Excalibur Estate is an estate of prefab bungalows begun in 1946 for families bombed out of their homes. For many it was a chance to make a garden; seventy years later, the Excalibur Estate is as rich in horticulture and biodiversity as any hectare of London. But the Excalibur is being demolished and the gardens vanishing.

Matthew Wilson’s Uncle Jim was one of the first residents. Last month he visited Excalibur to record the gardens, and look for traces of a favourite uncle. Along the way he met a few of the residents who shared the stories of their beloved gardens.

The film is 20 minutes long, and free to watch. And please share!