Ebury Square Garden (Westminster)
Brief Description
Ebury Square was laid out in 1820 on a former nursery garden that had earlier been the site of Ebury or Eabery Farm, part of the estate of Elizabeth I, later owned by the Grosvenor family. The central garden, on the site of the homestead of the Saxon farm, has been open to the public since 1884. The surrounding terraced houses were partially destroyed in 1860, the remaining fabric subsequently badly bombed, so none of the original houses survive. Recently restored, the garden comprises a lawn crossed by paths, perimeter shrubs, bedding displays and mature London plane and golden acacia trees. In the centre is a flowerbed and cast iron fountain.
Practical Information
- Site location:
- Ebury Square/Buckingham Palace Road, Pimlico
- Postcode:
- SW1
- What 3 Words:
- deputy.handy.hurry
- Type of site:
- Garden Square;, Public Gardens
- Borough:
- Westminster
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- 8am - dusk
- Special conditions:
- No dogs
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Tube: Victoria (District, Circle, Victoria). Bus: 11, 44, 170, 211, C1, C10
- Research updated:
- 01/02/2007
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.westminster.gov.uk
Full Site Description
There are early references to Ebury or Eabery Farm in 1307 when the then king, Edward I, permitted John de Benstede to fortify it. From 1676 the farm was owned by the Grosvenor family, whose land in Belgravia was developed from the early C19th. The garden of the square was formed upon the homestead of the Saxon farm, and, initially private, it was opened to the public from 1884. Its layout as the public garden may have been the work of Fanny Wilkinson, landscape gardener to the Kyrle Society around this time, who became landscape gardener to the MPGA, for whom she designed over 75 public gardens in London over a period of 19 years. An estimate from Wilkinson for Ebury Square appears in minutes of a meeting of the MPGA in May 1884, with reference made to asphalt paths, which were more costly but harder wearing than gravel.
The surrounding terraced houses of Ebury Square were partially destroyed in 1860, and the remaining fabric of the square was subsequently badly bombed and none of the original houses survive. The garden is now surrounded by large C20th buildings, including the rear of Victoria Coach Station. Nevertheless, the garden square has recently been thoroughly restored. The layout comprises a central lawn crossed by paths, with shrubs around the perimeter, and bedding displays. In the centre is a flowerbed containing laurel standards and a cast iron fountain. The garden has replacement railings and mature trees include London planes and golden false acacias. Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), stayed at No. 42 Ebury Street in 1847.
Sources consulted:
E Beresford Chancellor 'The History of the Squares of London: Topographical and Historical', London 1907, pp. 333-34; Elizabeth Crawford, 'Enterprising Women: The Garretts and their Circle' (Francis Boutle Publishers, 2nd ed. 2009)
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ285785 (528507,178600)
- Size in hectares:
- 0.240
- Site ownership:
- Grosvenor Estate
- Site management:
- WCC Parks Service (contractor: Continental Landscapes Ltd)
- Date(s):
- 1820; 1884
- Designer(s):
- Listed structures:
- None
- 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:
- No
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- Yes - Area of Special Archaeological Priority
- Other LA designation:
- London Square
Photos
Ebury Square - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 10/09/20 16:24Click a photo to enlarge.
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.