This striking labyrinth was Commissioned by The Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care at Springfield Hospital a psychiatric hospital run by South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. The setting provided an opportunity to create sympathetic landscaping which took the form of a banked crescent of planting which partially encloses and 'holds' the labyrinth.
We are grateful for the following comments by Senior Hospital Chaplain Rev. Cathy Wiles "It is hoped that the labyrinth may be helpful in stilling unquiet minds for patients, staff and carers alike. People can be observed using it in very different ways, some have sat in the middle for quite some time, others have walked round it together finding companionship. Some have used it to aid their mindfulness and walked it slowly and meditatively. The labyrinth offers people the opportunity to walk a path of spiritual exploration that is a journey into recovery".
The octagonal design has a very contemporary look but has medieval forebears. A notable eleven circuit example dating from 1495 still exists in the nave of the basilica at St. Quentin in northern France.
Labyrinth Facts
| Design |
Jeff Saward and Andrew Wiggins |
| Construction |
The Labyrinth Builders, May 2011 |
| Style |
Medieval (octagonal rendering) |
| Circuits |
5 |
| Diameter |
6.4m (8.25m including surround) |
| Distance to the centre |
60.6m |
| Materials |
Clay paviors |
| Number of tiles |
3064 |
