Inventory Site Record

One of the characteristic elongated squares that open off King's Road, this private communal garden was provided for residents of Wellington Square, which was developed in the 1830s. It is named after the Duke of Wellington. The garden is enclosed by modern railings and has a small area of grass, mature plane trees and sycamore.

Site location:

Wellington Square/King's Road

Postcode:

SW3

What 3 Words:

acted.stuff.tent

Type of site:

Garden Square

Borough:

Kensington & Chelsea

Open to public?

No

Opening times:

private but visible from roadway

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Sloane Square (District, Circle). Bus

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Research updated:

01/06/2009

Last minor changes:

31/03/2026

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

Wellington Square consists of painted stucco terraces on three sides with the fourth side open to King's Road. It was named after the Duke of Wellington, whose brother was Rector of Chelsea from 1805-1836 and whose body lay in state nearby in the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital after his death in 1952. The original York stone paving slabs remain around the square. In 1928 the garden enclosure was owned by three clergymen and leased to Messrs. C H Belsey and A Boys on a 74 year lease, running until c.2006. The lessees had responsibility for the upkeep of the garden, which was accessible to them and those people they authorised to use it; at that time it was described as 'A long narrow enclosure overlooked by dwelling-houses. Maintained as a grass plot with some small trees'.

Sources consulted:

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

Grid ref:

TQ276783 (527649,178305)

Size in hectares:

0.0466

Site ownership:

private

Site management:

Date(s):

1830s

Designer(s):

Francis Edwards

Listed structures:

LBII: 1-35 (consec.) Wellington Square

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:

Royal Hospital

Tree Preservation Order:

Yes

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Rail Safeguarding Area. Strategic View corridor

Wellington Square - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 14/04/21 14:28

Click a photo to enlarge.

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