Inventory Site Record

Fortune Street and this small park are named after the Fortune Theatre, which was built for Edward Alleyn and Philip Henslowe in 1600 on Golden Lane, off which Fortune Street runs. The area was bombed during WWII and the site was laid out as Fortune Street Park in the early 1960s. In 2002 refurbishment works were undertaken, which included landscaping, provision of additional seating and re-siting of play equipment.

Site location:

Fortune Street/Golden Lane

Postcode:

EC1

What 3 Words:

dame.jukebox.bells

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Islington

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's playground, accessible play equipment

Events:

Public transport:

Tube/Rail: Old Street, Barbican (Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan). Bus: 5, 56, 153, 43, 205, 214, 271

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/05/2013

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 Fortune Theatre was modelled on The Globe, and was originally a wooden building, which burnt down in 1621 and was then rebuilt in brick. The theatre was closed by the Puritans in 1642 although it carried on operating until it was dismantled by soldiers in 1649. The park has a central path flanked by rose beds winding through areas of grass, with shrubberies around the perimeter and two playgrounds. There are a variety of tree species throughout, some mature and notable specimens. The park is well-used by office workers as well as the local community, and as a result of this heavy use a partnership of LB Islington, the Corporation of London and local people led to refurbishment works in 2002. Now completed, these included landscaping, provision of additional seating and re-siting of play equipment. A community mosaic was created and the Friends of Fortune Park was set up.

Sources consulted:

Ben Weinreb & Christopher Hibbert, 'The London Encyclopaedia' (Macmillan, revised ed. 1993)

Grid ref:

TQ323820 (532340,182070)

Size in hectares:

0.36

Site ownership:

LB Islington

Site management:

Greenspace/Friends of Fortune Park

Date(s):

1960s

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:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Area

Other LA designation:

None