Inventory Site Record

This small public garden was once the site of a large pond called The Little Sea. In 1756-58 it became the site for Whitfield's Tabernacle and Almshouses, and Whitfield's half-acre Burial Ground, which was in two parts, one each side of the Tabernacle. In 1853 it was closed to burials and cleared in 1856. The LCC acquired the site in 1894 and in 1895 opened it as a public garden, laid out as a smaller area with a central path and a larger tar-paved area surrounded by planted borders. In the early C21st it was substantially re-landscaped by Camden Council.

Previous / Other name:

Whitfield's Burial Ground

Site location:

Whitfield Street/Tottenham Court Road

Postcode:

W1

What 3 Words:

pounds.active.simple

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Camden

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Goodge Street (Northern). Bus: 10, 24, 29, 73, 134.

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Research updated:

01/06/2012

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.camden.gov.uk

A small paved public garden with seats and some mature London planes close to the junction of Tottenham Street and Tottenham Court Road, next to the American Church. Once the site of a large pond called The Little Sea, in 1756-58 it became the site for Whitfield's Tabernacle and Almshouses, rebuilt twice during the C19th, and Whitfield's half-acre Burial Ground. There were two portions of the burial ground, on each side of Whitefield's Tabernacle. The burial ground was closed in 1853 having proved to be a source of constant local nuisance and the haunt of body-snatchers, and it was cleared in 1856. Among those buried here were John Bacon R.A. sculptor, and Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady, author of the hymn 'Rock of Ages'.

The LCC obtained the power to purchase the site in 1889 but did not acquire it until 1894, half the cost of purchase and layout met by St Pancras Vestry. The smaller garden was a narrow strip with a central path and the larger garden had a tar-paved area surrounded by borders with flowers and ornamental shrubs. In February 1895 it was opened as a public garden. A mural by Stephen Pusey was painted on the adjoining gable wall in early 1980s. In the early C21st the site was modernised in order to make it a focus for the area, the plans for which were made by Camden Council in partnership with local groups and organisations. Illustrated panels depicting the history of the area were installed in the gardens, but have now been removed.

Sources consulted:

'The London County Council and what it does for London: London Parks and Open Spaces' (Hodder & Stoughton, 1924); W E Brown, 'North Fitzrovia', Camden History Society, 1981; Charlotte Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan, Nathanial Lichfield & Partners, 2008

Grid ref:

TQ294818 (529475,181863)

Size in hectares:

0.1034

Site ownership:

LB Camden

Site management:

Parks & Open Spaces. Friends of the Parks of Fitzrovia

Date(s):

Churchyard: C18th. Garden: 1894/5; C20th

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

Yes

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Charlotte Street

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes Area of Special Character: Central London Area

Other LA designation:

Public Open Space (Small Local). Strategic View Corridor

Whitfield Gardens with Illustrated information panels, June 2008. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.