Southwark Grounds sits on land with deep cultural and historical significance, shaped by thousands of years of Kaurna stewardship and more than a century of industrial heritage.
The site lies beside Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens, a vital part of Kaurna Country and a place of cultural, ecological and spiritual importance. For generations, the river supported Kaurna life through hunting, gathering and ceremony.
In 1839, Colonel William Light chose this area to build his home, 'Theberton' Cottage.
By 1881, the suburb of Southwark was formally laid out. It was the first planned expansion beyond Adelaide’s original boundaries.
In 1886, the Walkerville Brew Tower was built, marking the beginning of a proud brewing legacy that spanned more than 135 years under names like Torrenside, Southwark and West End.
Today, Southwark Grounds honours this layered history by reinstating the suburb’s original name, which changed to Thebarton in the mid-1900s, and reimagining the site as a place where legacy, community and future come together.