The Garden Bridge is the most high profile public landscaping project in recent years. It has made headlines for the scale and impact it will have on London, and the potential interest it will create in the relationship between people, horticulture, landscaping and construction.

The project has attracted support and criticism with budget being a particularly contentious subject.  But how much do you know about what the project involves? Here are 18 key things you should know about the project so you can impress your customers and colleagues!

  1. It will cost £175 million to create
  2. Public funding has been given from Transport for London and Department for Transport
  3. It will cross the river from South Bank to Temple Station on the North Bank.
  4. Will be for pedestrians only
  5. Will include multiple gardens
  6. 77% of funds will come from the private sector
  7. The bridge will be a 366m copper-nickel structure
  8. The horticulture will be arranged to enhance and ‘frame’ famous landmarks
  9. The bridge will open in 2018
  10. The garden is designed by Dan Pearson, who last won ‘Best in Show’ at the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show
  11. The bridge is designed by Thomas Heatherwick, who also designed the Olympic Cauldron
  12. It is spearheaded by the Garden Bridge Trust, a charity dedicated to providing a communal area for Londoners to appreciate the city in new ways
  13. One of the trustees is Joanna Lumley, well known for playing Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous as well as campaigning for animal groups and human rights.
  14. Construction is due to begin in spring 2016
  15. The bridge will be free to enter
  16. There will be lasting educational programs in association with the south bank to encourage young people to get involved with horticulture.
  17. It will be open from 6am to midnight everyday (New Year’s Eve exception).
  18. The garden will take up 2500sqm of the bridge surface.