Description
Avondale Square was situated to the north of St Philip's Church, which dated from 1875 and was bombed in WWII. The land, which was owned by the Bridge House Estates, was redeveloped by the Corporation of London, who had begun to build housing here from 1920 and continued after WWII. Avondale Square Estate was opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 26 October 1962. The estate was landscaped with substantial areas of informal green space with paths running through it, more formally planted areas and now has 3 play areas.
Practical Information
| Site location | Avondale Square, off Old Kent Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE1 5PD |
| What3Words | ///fetch.piper.known |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | private for residents but some public access to roadways |
| Special Conditions | no dogs |
| Facilities | playground, tennis courts, basketball (for residents) |
| Events | www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Housing/Council_housing |
| Public Transport | Tube: Bermondsey (Jubilee); Elephant & Castle (Northern, Bakerloo) then bus. Bus: 21, 53, 78, 172 |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Avondale Square Estate was designed by Sir Lancelot Keay, Basil Duckett & Partners and provided 600 dwellings, and a number of recreational facilities for the residents, including a community centre. The landscaping on Avondale Square Estate consists of substantial grass areas with a number of mature plane trees that presumably date from the earlier square, together with garden areas of rose beds set into lawn, a paved area with a few shops and a sculpture by Alfred Weller. Along the Old Kent Road frontage are well kept landscaped areas with ornamental beds set into lawns. The old vicarage and church hall and the new church of St Philip, built in 1963 to designs by N F Cachemaille Day, are situated within the estate with a small memorial garden between the two.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ340781 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | City of London Corporation |
| Site Management | Housing Dept. |
| Dates | 1958-62 |
| Designers | Sir Lancelot Keay, Basil Duckett & Partners |
| 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 | Southwark |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - (Old Kent Road frontage) Archaeological Priority Zone |
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.
Nearby parks and gardens
Paterson Park was created on a bomb site that had formerly been railway sidings, and was opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee in 1953. It was named in memory of the prominent prison reformer, Sir Alexander Henry Paterson. The park was extended in 1981 when the Bricklayers' Arms goods station was closed, and a nature reserve accessible from Paterson Park was created the other side of the old railway bridge. In 2007 improvements were undertaken in the park, and new facilities included a children's play area, allotments and a multi-use games area.
St Anne's is a picturesque small brick church with tower and spire, which was erected in 1869/70 to designs by J Porter. It is surrounded by railed gardens with island beds set into lawns, and trees around the perimeter. It was originally in the centre of Thorburn Square, a modest square likely to have been occupied by working class tenants, which like much of the surrounding area was built between 1865-75. The square existed into the 1960s but has since been redeveloped and today a pedestrianized post-war housing development built by Southwark Council literally surrounds the church. In 1970 the parish was united with that of St Augustine South Bermondsey, whose church in Lynton Road was later leased and then in 2005 converted into apartments.
Leyton Square was opened to the public in 1901, after Camberwell Borough Council purchased the land in 1899 for £3,000, of which £1,500 was provided by the LCC, plus £683 for half the paving expenses. The garden has since been reconfigured, and is now within a more recent housing estate. Laid out on slightly undulating ground, it is largely laid to grass with recreation facilities, paths and seating. There are scattered trees including lines of older plane trees, presumably marking the original perimeter.