Open:

Saturday 10:00–17:00 + Sunday 10:00–17:00

Description:

This award-winning Victorian garden was laid out as part of the Edwardes Estate in the 1870s, and was well managed with an almost full-time gardener until 1939. In WW2 the handsome cast-iron railings were taken away and five huge emergency water tanks filled the southern half of the garden.

By the early 1970s the garden had become an overgrown area used as a dump and surrounded by green wire netting. In the mid-1970s the newly formed Residents' Association brought the garden under the 1851 Kensington Improvement Act. Landscape gardener and resident Christopher Fair designed the present layout.

The established London plane trees have now grown to dominate the square; one on the south side was blown down in the 1987 gale. The garden has been maintained and improved over the past 30 year, and recently won first prize in the Brighter Kensington & Chelsea Scheme competition. A children's play area was added in 1980. The garden hosts many neighbourhood social events, including a very popular annual summer BBQ, a Christmas tree lighting party and soirées musicales in spring and summer.

The rather grand stuccoed terraces in the late Italianate style on three sides of the square are complemented by the Grade II*-listed Flemish-style red brick houses on the south side. In the early 1970s part of the square was in danger of being torn down and replaced with high-density housing, but was instead designated a conservation area.The last 20 years have seen the conversion of the remaining hotels into high-quality flats.

Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet, spent her early years at No. 23 and ran dancing classes in the first-floor ballroom. Choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton also lived in the square as a young man at around the same time. Mr Frank Gielgud lived at No. 36, where his son, actor Sir John Gielgud was very possibly conceived before the family moved in 1904. In 1963 No. 21 became the home of the National Poetry Society and most of the famous poets of the day read their works in the salon.

Gardener:

Victor Smith

Activities:

Live music on both afternoons.

Entrance:

South side of square; wheelchairs via north gate.
Nearest postcode: SW5 9DG
Sells tickets.

Buses:

C1, 31, 74, 328

Station:

Earl’s Court

Dogs:

Working assistance dogs only

Further information:

• Street Map
• Map of nearby gardens
• London Gardens Online
• Printable version