Inventory Site Record

In 1189 there is a reference to the church here as 'Ecclesia de Staningehage', Staining probably referring to a landowner from Staines. Oat Lane is probably so-called for an oat market that existed here by the C16th. St Mary Staining Church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not restored. In 1965 the Corporation of London took over the maintenance of the open space created on the site of the church and churchyard. The garden is a raised area of lawn with a large plane tree, path on two sides and tombstones ranged along the back. It is overlooked by Pewterers' Hall, which was built here in 1959-61 after the Company's hall in Lime Street was demolished in 1932.

Site location:

Oat Lane/St Albans Court

Postcode:

EC2V 7EE

What 3 Words:

uses.amused.lawn

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

City of London

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: St Paul's (Central)

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Research updated:

01/05/2010

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces

In 1189 there is a reference to the church here as 'Ecclesia de Staningehage'. Staining probably derives from landowner from Staines and Staining Lane dates from at least late C12th. Oat Lane probably site of oat market which existed here by C16th. In 1278 a murder took place here when Richard de Codeford, accused of robbery, took refuge in the church and killed his pursuers with a lance through a hole in the window. The church was repaired in 1630 but destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not restored, the parish united to that of St Michael Wood Street. The last rector was famous for denouncing a Popish Plot. In 1965 the Corporation of London took of the maintenance of the open space created on the site of the church and churchyard. The garden is a raised area of grass with a large plane tree, path on two sides and tombstones at the back. Raised flower beds and shrubs. Churchyard overlooked by Pewterers' Hall which was built here 1959-61 after the company's hall in Lime Street of 1668-70, itself replacing an earlier hall of 1496, was demolished in 1932.

Sources consulted:

on-site information; Simon Bradley & Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England, London 1: The City of London', 1997 (1999 ed.); B Plummer and D Shewan, 'City Gardens', London, 1992; London Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches data

Grid ref:

TQ322815 (532280,181470)

Size in hectares:

0.0358

Site ownership:

Diocese of London

Site management:

City of London Corporation Open Spaces Dept

Date(s):

C12th

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:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

St Mary Staining Churchyard, May 2010. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.