Meanwhile Gardens (Kensington & Chelsea)
Brief Description
Meanwhile Gardens was set up as a community garden in 1976 on former derelict land along the Grand Union Canal. Sculptor Jamie McCullough had approached Westminster City Council, within whose boundaries the site then was, for permission to turn it into a park. Temporary permission was granted, which led to the garden's name. In 1978 the GLC's Architect's Department Landscape Group was involved in the design and construction of a number of canal-side parks and assisted the Meanwhile Gardens volunteers to create additional areas, which were opened by the GLC's Chief Parks Officer. Supported by volunteers and a dedicated staff team, the gardens now have various landscapes, including a wooded area and wildlife garden, a quiet scented courtyard and a skate bowl. The Playhut was built to provide a safe, stimulating play and learning environment. Beyond Golborne Road the path meanders along the Grand Union Canal.
Practical Information
- Site location:
- Golborne Road/Kensal Road/Elkstone Road
- Postcode:
- W10 5NT
- What 3 Words:
- achieving.loud.spite
- Type of site:
- Public Gardens, Community Garden
- Borough:
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted. The Play Hut Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm
Took part in Open Garden Squares Weekend in 2008. - Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Play Hut, plant sales, skate bowl
- Events:
- See Meanwhile Gardens website: https://meanwhile-gardens.org.uk/
- Public transport:
- Tube: Westbourne Park (Metropolitan). Bus: 23, 28, 52, 70, 295
- Research updated:
- 21/10/2017
- Last minor changes:
- 10/02/2025
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. https://meanwhile-gardens.org.uk/
Full Site Description
Meanwhile Gardens was set up as a community garden along the Grand Union Canal (q.v.) in c.1976 when derelict wasteland and canal side terraces were being cleared. The Grand Union Canal (Paddington Branch) was built in 1800, with workshop industries and cottages developing along the canal. By the late C19th the area was becoming impoverished and small industrial buildings and factories replaced some of the terraces, such as the factory whose chimney remains adjacent to Meanwhile Gardens. This factory was the premises of Chromocine Paints Ltd in 1946 and later Snack Potato Crisps Ltd but by 1969 it was no longer in use, and terraces along Kensal Road were being demolished. Local sculptor Jamie McCullough approached Westminster City Council, within whose boundaries the site then was (now following boundary changes it is within RB Kensington & Chelsea) for permission to turn it into a park. Temporary permission was granted, which led to the name that was given to the garden: Meanwhile Gardens. The derelict factory was used as a base, later repaired by Urban Aid with a new annex for the project.
At that time, in the late 1970s and early '80s, a GLC Planning Group under the direction of Dr John Parker, was involved in the development of several canal-side parks alongside the Grand Union Canal from the East End of London through to Barnsbury. The design and construction of these mini parks was carried out by the GLC Architect’s Department’s Landscape Group, which was led by John Medhurst. Members of the group were assigned to each of the sites and in 1978 David Foreman was responsible for assisting the Meanwhile Gardens volunteers to develop a design for the western and central areas of the garden, which included re-shaping earth mounds, the creation of a pond using Volclay as a base sealant (which allowed water leaking from the canal to be retained as a water feature), tree and shrub planting, repairs to the canal side walls and the construction of steps to the bridge over the Union Canal. He also arranged and supervised the contract for the works, which were undertaken by Blakedown Landscapes. An opening ceremony was carried out by Lord Birkett, the then Chief Officer of the GLC Parks Department.
Supported by volunteers and a dedicated staff team, Meanwhile Gardens have continued to thrive and the 4 acres of derelict wasteland are an oasis in a densely populated part of North Kensington. There are various landscapes, including a re-landscaped wooded area and wildlife garden with bridge, path, pond and seating, the work undertaken by Planet Earth in 2000 working closely with the local community. At one end of the garden a scented garden was reconstructed and replanted in 2014 as an area for quiet contemplation, on the courtyard garden that was originally laid out by the first volunteers, overlooked by the brick factory chimney built in 1927, one of the last such chimneys along the Paddington Arm of the Canal. The Factory houses work and storage space for the charity, is used by a local steel band The Metronomes, and has a rooftop vegetable plot. At the other end of Meanwhile Gardens is a popular skate bowl. The first skateboard bowl was built by hand and surfaced with the loan of a concrete gun for five days; it was replaced by a new, state-of-the-art design in 2002.The Playhut was built to provide a safe, stimulating play and learning environment, a service that helps to break down the isolation often experienced by carers of young children. There are opportunities for volunteering and educational schemes, and youth offenders carry out their reparation orders under gardeners’ supervision. The Gardens also participate in the Wildlife Garden Project run by Kensington & Chelsea Mind, working with adults who have experienced mental health difficulties, and using horticultural training and social enterprise to help with recovery and social integration.
Beyond Golborne Road the path meanders along the Grand Union Canal with grassy areas. In November 2007 Meanwhile Gardens won a People's Millions lottery fund grant of £80,000 for its Building Biodiversity Project to provide educational activities, training and involvement opportunities.
Meanwhile Gardens is a membership association and registered charity.
Sources consulted:
Jamie McCullough, Meanwhile Gardens, (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, London 1988); Charlotte Hare, 'Landscape London, a guide to recent gardens, parks and urban spaces', ellipsis, 2001; Meanwhile Gardens website: https://meanwhile-gardens.org.uk/history/16; information from John Medhurst, former GLC Architect's Department Landscape Group Leader; The Perambulator, ''Meanwhile": community gardens, resilience and relinquishment', The London Gardener, vol.28, 2024;
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ246820 (524700,182070)
- Size in hectares:
- 1.6
- Site ownership:
- Meanwhile Gardens Community Association
- Site management:
- Meanwhile Gardens Community Association
- Date(s):
- 1976
- 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:
- Yes - Local Importance
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- No
- Other LA designation:
- None
Photos
Meanwhile Gardens, courtyard garden and factory chimney, October 2017. Photograph Sally Williams
2017 
2017 
1970 Click a photo to enlarge.
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
