Inventory Site Record

Merrick Square is named after Christopher Merrick who left land to Trinity House in 1661. The square of 32 houses was built from 1853-72 and overlooked a private garden, still enclosed by its original C19th cast iron railings. At each end of the garden are 2 concrete cast urns on plinths and trees include London plane, chestnut, lime, sycamore, laburnum and various shrubs. The central beds were replanted in 2000 under the supervision of the Museum of Garden History, now renamed the Garden Museum.

Site location:

Merrick Square/Trinity Street

Postcode:

SE1 4JB

What 3 Words:

broad.flag.mime

Type of site:

Garden Square

Borough:

Southwark

Open to public?

Occasionally

Opening times:

Has opened for OGSW. Otherwise private, for keyholders only
Has taken part in Open Garden Squares Weekend 25 times, most recently in 2024.

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Borough (Northern), Elephant & Castle (Northern, Bakerloo); London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee). Bus: 21, 35, 40, 133, 343, C10

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/07/2009

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

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

Christopher Merrick was a London merchant and 'younger brother' of Trinity House, sworn in on 8 September 1660, who gave land in 1661 for 'relieving weak and decayed Seamen and Mariners of this Kingdom, their Wives, children and Widowes where most need was'. The land had been purchased by his father in 1610. In the early C19th land south of the square around Harper Road was used to grow fruit trees and on a plot facing Great Dover Street to the north horseradish, mint and kale were grown. Merrick Square was designed by Richard Suter, surveyor for Trinity House, and was built between 1853 and 1856. Nos.16 and 17 on the south-west side were designed by Henry Jarvis & Son Ltd in 1872 with the Rectory for nearby Holy Trinity Church built between these two houses. Merrick Square remains in the ownership of the Corporation of Trinity House, and is composed of 32 single houses.

Sources consulted:

Southwark Listed Buildings data

Grid ref:

TQ325793 (532515,179406)

Size in hectares:

0.142

Site ownership:

Corporation of Trinity House

Site management:

Corporation of Trinity House

Date(s):

1853-56

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Nos.1 - 32 Merrick Square; cast iron railings to central garden

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:

? Trinity Church Square

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone

Other LA designation:

London Squares Preservation Act. Strategic Views Backdrop Consultation Zone

Merrick Square - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 24/08/17 11:04

Click a photo to enlarge.