Sloane Square (Kensington & Chelsea)
Brief Description
The public square is laid out on the site of the old village green, at one time within the Manor of Chelsea. Land here was purchased by Sir Hans Sloane in 1712; on his death his estate was divided between his two daughters, the eastern part going to Elizabeth, becoming the Cadogan Estate on her marriage to Charles Cadogan. With architect Henry Holland, Cadogan began developing the 90-acre estate from the 1770s, to be called Hans Town. Sloane Square was crossed by roads until mid C20th when traffic was re-routed around the central space. It has fine plane trees, statue of Hans Sloane, war memorial, fountain by Gilbert Ledward and a drinking fountain.
Practical Information
- Site location:
- Sloane Square
- Postcode:
- SW1
- What 3 Words:
- reef.debate.moment
- Type of site:
- Square
- Borough:
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Tube: Sloane Square (District, Circle)
- Research updated:
- 01/04/2009
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.rbkc.gov.uk
Full Site Description
The area was within the Manor of Chelsea owned by Westminster Abbey and the Crown and purchased by Sir Hans Sloane in 1712. On his death the estate was divided between his two daughters, the eastern part going to Elizabeth, Lady Cadogan, becoming the Cadogan Estate due to her marriage to Charles Cadogan; the family remains a major landholder of the area. Lord Cadogan with Henry Holland as architect began developing the area from the 1770s over an area of c.90acres, which was to be called Hans Town. Sloane Square was laid out enclosing a small village green, which was bordered with posts and chains although it was later crossed by roads until the mid C20th when post WWII the traffic was re-routed around the central space. The War Memorial was repositioned and a fountain was commissioned from Gilbert Ledward in 1953. In the C19th the residential nature of the houses around the square had changed, with buildings now of the late C19th and C20th in a variety of styles. The Royal Court Theatre was built by Bertie Crewe in 1888, and was recently renovated in the late C20th; the Peter Jones Store was built in c.1935. The public square is paved and has a line of London plane trees along its boundaries, and contains a statue of Hans Sloane, the Ledward fountain, and a drinking fountain. The landscaping has recently been renewed to a high specification.
Sources consulted:
Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West' (Penguin, 1999 ed); Sloane Square Conservation Area Proposals Statement
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ280786 (528001,178679)
- Size in hectares:
- 0.133
- Site ownership:
- The Cadogan Estate, leased to RB Kensington & Chelsea
- Site management:
- RB Kensington & Chelsea Highways Department
- Date(s):
- late C18th on
- Designer(s):
- Listed structures:
- LBII*: Peter Jones Store. LBII: Royal Court Theatre; Nos. 34/34A/36 + Wyndham House; K6 type Telephone Kiosk outside Royal Court Theatre
- 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:
- Sloane Square
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- No
- Other LA designation:
- Rail Safeguarding Area. Strategic View corridor
Photos
Sloane Square - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 17/04/21 09:43Click 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.