Inventory Site Record

The private communal gardens were provided for residents of houses of Kensington Gate, which was developed in 1852 on the site of the old workhouse, demolished in 1849. The land was owned by the Trustees of the Campden Charities estate, one of the three estates in this area, the largest and also the first to be built on. The garden square has mature planes and ornamental trees and shrubs.

Site location:

Kensington Gate

Postcode:

W8

What 3 Words:

penny.crown.sage

Type of site:

Garden Square

Borough:

Kensington & Chelsea

Open to public?

Occasionally

Opening times:

Has opened for OGSW. Otherwise private, for keyholders only
Took part in Open Garden Squares Weekend in 2006.

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Gloucester Road (District, Circle)

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Research updated:

01/10/2007

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.

Development of this area began before 1851. The land was owned by the Trustees of the Campden Charities estate, one of the three estates in this area, and also the largest and the first to be built on. The northern area of the estate was developed as Hyde Park Gate, to the south of which was the old workhouse of 1778, later the site of Kensington Gate. A development plan drawn up in 1810 by S P Cockerell attracted no interest from builders and was abandoned; in 1821 Thomas Drew produced a plan for four deep plots fronting onto Kensington Road behind a wide planted strip, with a road between the middle plots leading to a 'square' of eight further plots. This was hardly more successful although some building took place; the remainder of the estate was auctioned in 1828 and 1831, after which the present layout was established. In 1849 the workhouse was demolished and the site laid out by Inderwick and built as Kensington Gate in 1852. This was designed by architect A.C. Bean and the terraces form a remarkably homogeneous ensemble with Ionic porches and Italianate facades.

The garden square with its mature planes, ornamental trees and shrubs provides a perfect setting for the houses. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a long narrow enclosure laid out as a lawn, with a privet hedge and some well-grown trees around the border.' It was provided for the use of the occupiers of the houses, who maintained it, while ownership remained with the Trustees of Campden Charities. An area outside the garden on the north corner of Palace Gate was recently re-landscaped as a formal paved area, a sculpture by Eilis O'Connell, and small trees.

Sources consulted:

Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (Penguin, 1999 ed); RBKC Queen's Gate Conservation Area Proposals Statement, 1989; Report of Royal Commission on London Squares 1928

Grid ref:

TQ262794 (526233,179406)

Size in hectares:

0.08

Site ownership:

private

Site management:

Date(s):

1850

Designer(s):

Architect of houses: A C Bean

Listed structures:

LBII*: 1-29 (consec.) Kensington Gate

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:

Queen's Gate

Tree Preservation Order:

Yes

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

Kensington Gate Gardens - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 26/05/06 15:56

Click a photo to enlarge.

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