Inventory Site Record

York Square was part of the development of the Mercers' Company land that took place from the early C19th to coincide with the opening of the London Docks and the West India Docks. Plans were drawn up in 1823 by estate surveyor George Smith for the area north of the newly opened Commercial Road. He laid out a grid of streets focussed on a new square, later called York Square. Much of the original character is preserved today. The central garden was leased to the London County Council and was opened to the public in 1904.

Site location:

York Square

Postcode:

E14

What 3 Words:

vows.wisdom.chimp

Type of site:

Garden Square;, Public Gardens

Borough:

Tower Hamlets

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

DLR: Limehouse. Bus: 15, 115, D3

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/05/2012

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

This area is within the ancient parish of St Dunstan and Stebenheath, served by the church of St Dunstan's and All Saints (q.v.). Until the late C18th the parish consisted of a number of small hamlets and open land, much of the latter planted as market garden to supply London. The major landowner here was the Mercer's Company, which developed its estate in the early C19th to coincide with the opening of the London Docks and the West India Docks. Commercial Road was constructed and opened in 1810 to link the docks with the City of London and large houses were built on Commercial Road. In 1823 plans were drawn up by estate surveyor George Smith to develop the Mercers' land north of the new road with a grid of streets laid out around a new square as the focus. Later called York Square, this was the centrepiece of the eastern part of the Mercers' Estate, built mainly for skilled tradesmen and clerks.

York Square is little changed today, consisting of Regency-style 2-storey terraces, and the neighbouring Flamborough, Barnes, Wakeling, Bromley and Belgrave Streets are all of similar and well-preserved early C19th character. The Queen's Head pub was built c.1852; it was visited by the Queen Mother in July 1987.

The central garden of York Square was opened to the public in 1904. Still in the ownership of the Mercers Company as Trustees of a Foundation called or known as 'St Paul's School' founded by Dean Colet, this garden and also Arbour Square Garden (q.v.) were leased to the London County Council on a yearly tenancy of 1s per annum. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a small rectangular area enclosed by a low railing, and laid out with lawns and flower beds and a few small trees. Well-kept and attractive.' In 1969 (CA statement has 1973?) York Square was sold to the GLC, who renovated and modernised the houses.

Sources consulted:

Byrne; Bancroft Library, Clippings. Tom Ridge, Central Stepney History Walk, (Central Stepney Regeneration Board) 1998; York Square Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Guidelines, Oct 2007; Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares, 1928

Grid ref:

TQ361812 (536144,181231)

Size in hectares:

0.0885

Site ownership:

LB Tower Hamlets

Site management:

Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1823-25; late C19th

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: 1-8 and 9-16 York Square, Queen's Head Public House

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:

York Square

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

York Square Gardens, March 2000. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.