Description
The houses of Brompton Square were built between 1821 and 1835, and the communal gardens provided for the use of occupants of the square were laid out in c.1821. They consisted of two enclosures, a small circular garden and a long narrow enclosure, and remain little changed today.
Practical Information
| Site location | Brompton Square/Brompton Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW3 |
| What3Words | ///heave.blocks.nerve |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly) |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Brompton Square was laid out from 1821, the narrow fronted houses on the east and west sides designed by Robert Darley. The north end was designed some ten years later by J. Blore. The houses overlook a long narrow garden enclosure that retains its original railings and gate piers. Within are mature lime trees and an open grassed space in the centre. At the far end is a separate circular railed enclosure with some planting of roses, and a number of mature trees and gravel paths. In 1928 the garden was owned by members of the Barff family and it was provided for the use of the inhabitants of Brompton Square. It was maintained by a Committee of the occupiers of houses out of a rate annually levied by the Borough Council. At that time it was described much as it is today: 'Two enclosures, one a very small circular area and the other a long narrow rectangular area. Surrounded by privet hedge. Laid out as an ornamental garden with grass plots, flower beds, etc. and contains some well-grown trees. Overlooked by dwelling-houses.'
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ272792 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.3073 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1821, 1834-5 |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Brompton |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Metropolitan Importance |
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
Holy Trinity Churchyard was once a burial ground of St George's Hospital. The church of Holy Trinity Brompton was built in 1826-9 set back from Brompton Road with an avenue planted in 1831 leading to the church. The churchyard at the rear of church is now public gardens, where a few memorials remain The garden is predominantly grassed, with a small area of ornamental planting, and has shrubs and mature trees.
Rutland Gate South Garden and Upper Garden are two fairly narrow gardens in a long dog-legged enclave running off Kensington Road. The early C19th planned layout of this imposing range of terraced houses and their shared pleasure grounds survive virtually intact. The original piers and railings to Kensington Road survive but have been replaced elsewhere in the gardens, the South Garden bordered by fencing and concrete posts. Eresby House, a huge 1930s interloper occupies a site between the two gardens, and has a trim contemporary forecourt garden.
Two areas of communal gardens are provided for the residents of Egerton Terrace, which was built in the 1890s as part of Henry Smith's Charity Estate. The gardens comprise a small semi-circular area at the front and an area at the back of the terrace. Initial development in the area dates from 1785 but Egerton Place was subsequently replaced and rebuilt in the 1890s. The front garden has mature trees and has been re-landscaped with ornamental plants, flower beds in recent years.