Inventory Site Record

Formerly called St Stephen's Square, this small town square was laid out c.1850-55 as part of development of the area for the St Stephen's Estate. By 1928 the Trustees of the Estate had sold the houses in the square to the lessees, who had rights of access to the central garden under leases that ran until 1955. The garden had been owned by Stephen Phillips and in 1928 it was described as 'a narrow rectangular enclosure containing a few well-grown trees'. There are notable London plane trees at the east and west ends. The garden has a new pergola and central paved area, and a discreet playground at the western end, a modern urn at the eastern end.

Previous / Other name:

St Stephen's Square

Site location:

St Stephen's Gardens, Bayswater

Postcode:

W2 5PR

What 3 Words:

tubes.sleeps.steps

Type of site:

Garden Square, Public Gardens

Borough:

Westminster

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's playground

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Westbourne Park, Royal Oak (Hammersmith & City). Bus: 7, 23, 27, 36, 70

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/11/2007

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

The site is named for the nearby St Stephen's Church Westbourne Park, which was built in 1856, soon after the area was developed for housing. The construction of the Crescent and the acute angle of the two roads meant that the church altar is at the west end of the church. In 1900 the chancel on the west was enlarged. The spire was removed after the war as it was felt to be unsafe but the decision was taken in 1952 to replace this with a battlemented parapet and pinnacles, which were cheaper to built than rebuilding the spire. During the 1980s the building was becoming neglected and it was closed as unsafe in 1991. It was saved from demolition in 1994.

Sources consulted:

Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares, 1928. Church information on www.ststephenschurch.info

Grid ref:

TQ252814 (525211,181445)

Size in hectares:

0.136

Site ownership:

WCC

Site management:

Parks Service (Contractors: Continental Landscapes Ltd)

Date(s):

1850-55

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:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Westbourne

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None

St Stephen's Garden - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 04/08/21 14:39

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