Description
This was provided as communal gardens for the houses of Barlby Gardens, which were built by the 1930s prior to which this land between Barlby Road and the railway sidings to the north was vacant. To the south the streets were laid out by the 1890s. The OS map of 1935 shows the triangular garden with trees planted. Further along the road to the west was a children's recreation ground, now built over by housing. The garden today is surrounded by mesh fence and panels of modern trellis, with a number of mature trees and a central ornamental bed.
Practical Information
| Site location | Barlby Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W10 |
| What3Words | ///sands.merit.weeks |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Tube: Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith & City) then bus |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ237820 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0699 |
| Site Ownership | RBKC |
| Site Management | Highways |
| Dates | 1920s/30s |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
This is part of the St Quintin estate in North Kensington, which was developed from the late 1860s. Kensington Memorial Park opened in 1923, originally called St Mark's Park. The land was acquired for the purpose by the Kensington War Memorial Committee and the site was given to the London County Council who laid the park out mainly as a children's playground. Other recreational facilities were added over the years. The park has its original railings, perimeter trees and formal planted areas.
The West London Bowling Club was founded in 1903, and opened its bowling green here in 1920. Bowling continued throughout WWII and the club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1953. The green is surrounded by shrub planting and has a small pavilion. The green is surrounded by shrub planting and to the south is an area of garden. Now predominantly planted with roses, this consistently won prizes in the Kensington and Chelsea Gardens Competitions from 1968 and throughout the 1970s. In 1970 three Trophies were won and HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone visited the club and gardens. There is a small pavilion with roses and other planted areas. The bowling green is surrounded by suburban housing, and is a quiet oasis of green.
Emslie Horniman Pleasance Gardens opened as a public park in 1914, designed by Charles Voysey and Madeline Agar, with a formal Spanish-style walled garden and an area of grass, trees and shrubs. The land was presented by Emslie John Horniman, Chelsea representative on the LCC and MP for Chelsea. By 1996 the park was rundown, and funds from various sources were raised to restore the Voysey garden, provide new sports facilities and children's playground, gates, signage and fencing; the remainder was substantially redesigned with involvement from a number of artists.