Description
Communal private gardens laid out in 1838 for the use of the inhabitants of Notting Hill Square and some surrounding streets. The square was developed from 1826 by Joshua Hanson, who had purchased the land from the Lloyd family of Notting Hill House. The garden had winding paths, clumps of trees and shrubs, with dense planting to the north, and has some original railings and gates. The square was renamed Campden Hill Square in 1893.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Notting Hill Square |
|---|---|
| Site location | Campden Hill Square |
| Postcode | W8 |
| What3Words | ///studio.wink.tried |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, for keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Holland Park |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site is on land that was owned by the Lloyd family of Aubrey House, then known as Notting Hill House, which was purchased in 1823 by Joshua Flesher Hanson and developed from 1826 onwards. Hanson was best known for his promotion of Regency Square, Brighton in 1818 and both schemes consist of three sides of housing set around communal gardens. The building plots were sold piecemeal or let, and the first house, No. 2 was occupied in 1828 by Hanson himself. Early houses in the scheme may have been designed by George Edward Valentine, architect and surveyor, who submitted applications for building sewers and individual house drainage. Hanson granted some long-term leases and also built houses under contract for freehold. The plots of Nos.16-20 were sold to Thomas Williams, a coach maker who later purchased Aubrey House. In 1830 Hanson sold remaining undeveloped plots and in 1839 ceased his active part in the development. The square was called Notting Hill Square until 1893.
The garden was laid out in 1838 with winding paths and there were clumps of trees and shrubs on either side. At the north end on Holland Park Avenue this planting was much denser (OS 1894). In 1928, the garden is described as 'surrounded by a privet hedge and shrubberies. Attractively laid out with well-kept lawns and some fine trees'. It was owned by freeholders of the houses in the square, and used by freeholders and leaseholders, the latter having a covenant in their leases prescribing the rent that was payable for using the garden. A limited number of residents in adjacent streets were given special permission from the garden Committee to use the gardens on payment of a subscription. The Garden Committee was appointed annually, and comprised five or more people among the freeholders and leaseholders and the garden was maintained out of the rents and subscriptions. Gates and most of the railings are original. Protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
The garden was laid out in 1838 with winding paths and there were clumps of trees and shrubs on either side. At the north end on Holland Park Avenue this planting was much denser (OS 1894). In 1928, the garden is described as 'surrounded by a privet hedge and shrubberies. Attractively laid out with well-kept lawns and some fine trees'. It was owned by freeholders of the houses in the square, and used by freeholders and leaseholders, the latter having a covenant in their leases prescribing the rent that was payable for using the garden. A limited number of residents in adjacent streets were given special permission from the garden Committee to use the gardens on payment of a subscription. The Garden Committee was appointed annually, and comprised five or more people among the freeholders and leaseholders and the garden was maintained out of the rents and subscriptions. Gates and most of the railings are original. Protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ248802 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.4745 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1838 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 1, 2, 3-10 consec., 14, 15, 44 & 45, 50 & 51, 52, 53 |
| 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 | Kensington |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Ladbroke Square Garden is part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson. Building started in the 1840s; the outer crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased from 1837-4 for a racecourse, the Hippodrome. Ladbroke Square commenced in 1842 and is one of the largest private garden squares in London, the communal garden laid out in 1849. It has three lawns, shrubbery and mature trees.
Ladbroke Square Garden is part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson. Building started in the 1840s; the outer crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased from 1837-4 for a racecourse, the Hippodrome. Ladbroke Square commenced in 1842 and is one of the largest private garden squares in London, the communal garden laid out in 1849. It has three lawns, shrubbery and mature trees.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.
Part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Hanover Gardens is part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. Hanover Gardens was one of the earliest gardens on the estate. Dame Sylvia Crowe, noted landscape architect and garden designer, lived here and a bench commemorates her 90th birthday.
Hanover Gardens is part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. Hanover Gardens was one of the earliest gardens on the estate. Dame Sylvia Crowe, noted landscape architect and garden designer, lived here and a bench commemorates her 90th birthday.