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The Portico, Ruskin Park

Ruskin Park gets its name from John Ruskin, the famous artist, writer and social campaigner, who lived nearby from 1823 to 1871. At the start of the 20th century, local residents campaigned for a new park in Denmark Hill, and the designer J.J. Sexby laid out the site. Ruskin Park was officially opened to the public on 2nd February 1907, and was enlarged in 1910 by adding a further 12 acres of land to the south. The Portico used to be one of six large villas which fronted Denmark Hill in the 19th century. When Ruskin Park opened to the public, the villas were demolished and the land, including the Portico, was incorporated into the park.