Inventory Site Record

The Gardens is a relatively rare example in this part of London of a C19th residential garden square. The green enclosure remains in private ownership, for the use of the residents of surrounding houses. At one time there were tennis courts and croquet lawn but today the garden is largely grass with a number of mature trees, and perimeter shrubs and hedging.

Site location:

The Gardens, Peckham Rye

Postcode:

SE22

What 3 Words:

bless.drum.ranges

Type of site:

Garden Square

Borough:

Southwark

Open to public?

No

Opening times:

private

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Peckham Rye then bus. Bus: 12, 312, 63

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Research updated:

01/07/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.graingerplc.co.uk

This area of Peckham was mainly agricultural until the early C18th; residential development took place from the early C19th as road networks to London improved, and accelerated particularly after Peckham Rye Station opened in 1867, attracting the new middle classes. The tall brick terraces that comprise The Gardens were built as select housing around a central garden enclosure between 1870-80, the east and south sides completed by 1875, followed by the west side, and finally the north side by 1880. Prior to this the land had been used for market gardens. The central garden was enclosed in 1875-1880 at which time it was owned by Edwin Newman. It was reserved for the recreational use of those living in the houses of the west, south and east sides of the square and was covenanted to be 'retained in perpetuity as a pleasure ground for the use of the residents entitled to its use'. Those in Nos. 1-17 on the north side of the square had no rights of use as the sites for these houses were not part of the original estate. In 1928 the garden was described as surrounded by a thick privet hedge and had tennis courts and a croquet lawn. The residents of the surrounding houses contributed a guinea for the right to make use of the garden, tenants of houses divided into flats paying half this sum. Its maintenance was undertaken by a Committee of the residents.

Today there are no tennis courts, and the garden is largely lawn with mature trees and shrubbery / hedge around the perimeter to railings. For many years the estate was owned by the Tilt Estate Company, a family run business, which maintained the garden for the use of its tenants. In 2007 Grainger plc acquired the entire shareholding in the Tilt Estate Company and continues to maintain the garden.

Sources consulted:

Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares, 1928; The Gardens Conservation Area Appraisal, LB Southwark (n.d. 2008/9?)

Grid ref:

TQ343752 (534310,175214)

Size in hectares:

0.324

Site ownership:

Grainger plc

Site management:

Grainger plc

Date(s):

1875-80

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: surrounding terraces of The Gardens

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:

The Gardens

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None