Inventory Site Record

Thornhill Estate was laid out by Joseph Kay, surveyor from 1813-1849 for the Thornhill family from Yorkshire. By the early C19th they owned large tracts of land, including 86 acres in Islington, largely let for dairy farming. Thornhill Crescent was begun c.1849 by Samuel Pocock, a dairy farmer in the area. St Andrew's Church was built in 1852-54 on a site donated by George Thornhill and is surrounded by a public garden with flower beds, paths and trees around the perimeter. The need for the new church reflected the growth of the parish.

Site location:

Thornhill Crescent/Bridgeman Road

Postcode:

N1

What 3 Words:

swept.tight.giant

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Islington

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

no dogs

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

London Overground: Caledonian Road & Barnsbury. Rail/Tube (Northern, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City; Circle, Victoria, Piccadilly):King's Cross. Bus: 17, 91, 259, 274, 153

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

Thornhill Estate was laid out by Joseph Kay, estate surveyor. See also Thornhill Square (q.v.) for history of the family and estate. Thornhill Crescent was begun in c.1849 by Samuel Pocock, a dairy farmer in the area. St Andrew's Church was built in 1852-54 by Francis B Newman and John Johnson chosen following a competition. The need for a new church reflected the growth of the parish, and St Andrew's was the largest of the new churches in Islington. The site was offered by George Thornhill who also donated £500 towards the £6,500 building costs. Samuel Pocock donated £100 for railings and Mr Wontner of Tibberton Square (q.v.) donated £2. The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of London and St Andrew's was consecrated in 1854 by the Lord Mayor of London in the presence of City dignitaries. Around the church is a pleasant garden with flower beds, paths and trees around the perimeter, with entrance gates to the church and gardens to the south. Near Thornhill Crescent is Barnsbury Wood (q.v.), which was left as open space when the estate was built.

Sources consulted:

Mary Cosh, Barnsbury, London 1981; Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England: London 4: North (Penguin, 1998)

Grid ref:

TQ308841 (530801,184154)

Size in hectares:

0.19

Site ownership:

LB Islington

Site management:

Greenspace

Date(s):

1846-52

Designer(s):

Joseph Kay

Listed structures:

LB - St Andrew's Church; Nos. 1 - 33 Thornhill Crescent

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:

Yes

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:

Barnsbury Square

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Local/strategic view corridor (part to west)

Photo: Sarah Jackson

Click a photo to enlarge.