Inventory Site Record

Wandsworth Town Hall was built in a number of phases, the earliest central portion in 1926 by E L Elford, the addition to the east was built in 1935-37 and designed by E A Hunt, with relief sculptures as a frieze. The most recent buildings to the west date from the 1970s. There are formal gardens between the civic buildings and Wandsworth High Street and Fairfield Street. The gardens along Wandsworth High Street have fountain, lawns and floral displays, with three plane trees along the road frontage, bounded by railings. Along Fairfield Street the garden has lawn with flower beds and tubs.

Site location:

Wandsworth High Street/Fairfield Street

Postcode:

SW18

What 3 Words:

arrow.fades.glitz

Type of site:

Public Gardens

Borough:

Wandsworth

Open to public?

Partially

Opening times:

used for wedding receptions, but not intended for public access

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: East Putney then bus. Rail: Wandsworth Town. Bus: 28, 37, 39, 44, 77A, 156, 170, 220, 270, 337

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/05/2005

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

Opposite the Town Hall on the corner of Fairfield Street is a small area of landscaping consisting of a raised paved area reached by a short flights of steps from the pavement, backed by a red brick structure, effectively a wall with central niche surmounted by tiled roof and housing a stone plaque, with raised flower beds either site and tubs. In front of this was previously a pool, now a planted bed with a central plane tree. The 'Pool with its Surroundings' was provided by public subscription raised by people of Wandsworth to commemorate the visit of Queen Mary on 14 July 1937 to open the new Municipal Buildings. The stone plaque describes the occasion in detail: 'Her Majesty drove through the borough escorted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs W H Heath, where she was welcomed by 500,000 people. By the funds raised, 55,000 flags were distributed along the line of the route, 42,000 bags of sweets were given to the children and 250,000 people attended fireworks displays at King George's Park, Streatham Common and Clapham Common. On the site adjoining the pool Her Majesty paused after the opening ceremony and a choir of 2,000 children sang Sir Hubert Parry's 'England' to her.' (D. Evans in corner of plaque.)

Sources consulted:

On-site information; LB Wandsworth, Wandsworth Town Conservation Area Character Statement; Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England: London 2: South' (Penguin) 1999

Grid ref:

TQ275747 (525774,174689)

Size in hectares:

0.1

Site ownership:

LB Wandsworth

Site management:

Date(s):

1926; 1935-37

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Wandsworth Town Hall; lamp standards to Town Hall

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Wandsworth Town

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Area

Other LA designation:

None

Wandsworth Old Town Hall - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 27/08/24 13:56

Click a photo to enlarge.