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Inventory Site Record

St Mary's Churchyard (Westminster)

Brief Description

This is part of the former burial ground for the parish church of St Mary Paddington Green. In 1885 the northern part of the burial ground was opened as a public garden initially called the Old Burial Ground, now St Mary's Churchyard. The majority of tombs were moved to the western periphery although a number of monuments remained in place, that of Sarah Siddons is located towards the northern end. There is a tree-lined walk, predominantly lime, along the eastern boundary, and scattered trees include a weeping ash. Mosses and ferns have colonised the west wall and the tombstones stacked against it.

Practical Information
Previous / Other name:
Old Burial Ground
Site location:
Crompton Street, Church Walk
Postcode:
W2 1LG
What 3 Words:
canny.puddles.occurs
Type of site:
Public Gardens
Borough:
Westminster
Open to public?
Yes
Opening times:
8am - dusk
Special conditions:
Facilities:
playground
Events:
Public transport:
Tube: Edgware Road (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & Fulham), Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo). Bus: 18
Research updated:
01/11/2007
Last minor changes:
14/07/2022

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

Full Site Description

This is part of the former burial ground for the parish church of St Mary Paddington Green. St Mary's former burial grounds are in two parts divided by Church Walk. The northern area was opened by the vestry in 1885 as a 3.25 acre public garden, known as the Old Burial Ground, following closure for burials as a result of the first Burial Act of 1852 and its subsequent amendments during the 1850s. The Metropolitan Open Spaces Acts of 1877 and 1881 and the Disused Burial Grounds Act of 1884, later extended under the Metropolitan Open Spaces Act of 1887, enabled 'open spaces and burial grounds in the Metropolis for the use of the inhabitants thereof for exercise and recreation'. The southern part consisting of 1 acre around St Mary's Church was opened as a public garden in 1892 and forms a separate site, known as St Mary's Church Grounds (q.v.).

In the northern garden, now known as St Mary's Churchyard, most of the gravestones were moved to the periphery although there are a number of sarcophagi and monuments in place. These include a stone cross marking the grave of William Collins RA (d.1847), the father of Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins. In the north east corner are three graves near each other: those of the actress Sarah Siddons (d.1831), to whom there is a statue on Paddington Green (q.v.); the miniature painter Thomas Richmond (d.1837), and the artist Benjamin Haydon (d.1846). Others buried here include sculptors John Bushnell (d.1701) and Thomas Banks (d.1805) and artist Thomas Devis (d.1810).

There is a tree-lined walk, predominantly lime, along the eastern boundary and also bedding displays. The northern end of the garden is now occupied by Westminster Children's Sports Centre. Nearby is the Children's Hospital, 1895, by H. P. Adams.

Sources consulted:

Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (1991, reprinted 1999), pp.694 & 675; Victoria County History, Middlesex, vol. IX, 1989; Thomas Smith, History of Paddington; Harvey Hackman, 'Wates's Book of London Churchyards, Collins, 1981

Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
Grid ref:
TQ266818 (526650,181850)
Size in hectares:
2.4 (with Green & Chyd)
Site ownership:
St Mary's Cemetery Company or church?
Site management:
WCC Parks Service (contractor: Continental Landscapes Ltd)
Date(s):
1885
Designer(s):
Listed structures:
LBII*: St Mary's Church. LBII: Children's Hospital, pair of K6 telephone kiosks, ashlar monument to Woodd family, statue of Mrs Siddons; east side of Paddington Green: nos. 17 & 18; ashlar Thrupp family monument; ashlar monument to Chandless family.
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:
Paddington Green
Tree Preservation Order:
To be checked
Nature Conservation Area:
Yes - Borough Imp II (w Padd. Grn & St Mary's Ch)
Green Belt:
No
Metropolitan Open Land:
No
Special Policy Area:
Yes
Other LA designation:
None
Photos

St Mary's Churchyard

General View - Photo: Pamela Paterson (1995)

Click 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.