Inventory Site Record

Battishill Street Gardens were opened by Sir John Betjamin in 1975, but the site is of historic interest for the C19th stone frieze installed within the gardens. It was originally made for the Hall of Commerce in Threadneedle Street, which was demolished in 1922. It was given to Islington Council in 1974 for erection in the new Battishill Gardens.

Site location:

Battishill Street/Napier Terrace

Postcode:

N1

What 3 Words:

month.yoga.palm

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Islington

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

no dogs, no ball games

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Highbury & Islington (Victoria). Rail: Highbury & Islington, Essex Road. Bus: 4, 19, 30, 43.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/04/2012

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.islington.gov.uk/services/parks-environment/parks/your_parks/greenspace_az

The stone frieze in the gardens is by Musgrove Watson (1804-1847) who was responsible for the bronze reliefs at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square (q.v.). It was originally made for the Hall of Commerce in Threadneedle Street, which was demolished in 1922. It was later housed in University College until it was given to LB Islington in 1974 by Sir Albert Richardson for erection in the new Battishill Street Gardens, where it forms the wall of a paved area with seating. The gardens in front of Napier Terrace are surrounded by railings and have grass, beds of white roses, shrubs and trees, with a path that leads to the paved area where the frieze is situated. A plaque records the opening of the gardens by Sir John Betjamin and the history of the frieze.

To the north of the gardens is Waterloo Terrace, rebuilt in 1987, but formerly the land was once part of the botanic garden of Dr William Pitcairn, President of the Royal College of Physicians between 1775 and 1785.

Sources consulted:

Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England: London 4: North (Penguin, 1998); Michael Whitacker lecture notes; Mary Cosh 'Barnsbury' (London) 1981.

Grid ref:

TQ316840 (531580,184050)

Size in hectares:

0.09

Site ownership:

LB Islington

Site management:

Greenspace

Date(s):

1971-75

Designer(s):

LB Islington Architects Department

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

CA

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

Photo: Sarah Jackson

Click a photo to enlarge.