St James's Gardens (Tower Hamlets)
Brief Description
St James's Gardens were laid out and opened in 1913 on land granted by St James's Church, together with residual land from the 1908 Rotherhithe Tunnel cutting, to form a long strip of public gardens. A line of plane trees follows the retaining wall of the north side of the tunnel as it emerges into Branch Road. Re-landscaping was carried out with the building of the Limehouse Link in the 1980s with a bridge leading over the approach road; a raised brick flower bed was adjacent to the railings that form the boundary with Butcher Row, with a War Memorial nearby. The park remains largely grassed with mature trees, although re-landscaping was carried out in recent years, with new playground and paths.
Practical Information
- Previous / Other name:
- St James's Churchyard
- Site location:
- Butcher Row/Branch Road
- Postcode:
- E1
- What 3 Words:
- empire.rocket.secure
- Type of site:
- Public Gardens
- Borough:
- Tower Hamlets
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Children's playground
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Research updated:
- 01/08/2013
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
Full Site Description
Sources consulted:
LB Tower Hamlets Local History Library, Clippings.
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ360809 (536050,180950)
- Size in hectares:
- 0.5594
- Site ownership:
- LB Tower Hamlets
- Site management:
- Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces
- Date(s):
- 1913; 1980s
- 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:
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:
- No
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- No
- Other LA designation:
- None
Photos
St James's Gardens with Limehouse Link to the right, March 2000. Photo: S Williams
2000 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.
