Description
Carlton Square was built as part of William Pemberton Barnes' Globe Fields Estate, developed between 1848 and 1855. The central garden was re-ordered under the auspices of the MPGA and opened to the public in 1885 by HRH Princess Louise. Thereafter maintenance was carried out by the LCC. Carlton Square Gardens, a new and larger open space to the east, was created in the 1960s.
Practical Information
| Site location | Carlton Square, Mile End |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E1 4EH |
| What3Words | ///trap.peanut.blocks |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Public Transport | Tube: Stepney Green (District/Hammersmith & City) |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2014 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This area was formerly open land known as Globe Fields prior to its development in the C19th, largely to provide working class housing. The Globe Fields estate was owned by William Pemberton Barnes, who developed his land between 1848 and 1855. Carlton Square was built by Barnes' surveyors Hammock and Lambert, and comprised two-storey terraces around a central garden. The Pemberton Barnes Trust began to let the houses from 1853, and the properties were eventually sold to the Peabody Trust in 1974. The garden square was later re-ordered under the auspices of the MPGA and opened to the public in May 1885 by HRH Princess Louise, when it was described as 'laid out as a garden with lawns, flower beds, walks, seats and a fountain'. In 1928 it remained in private ownership and was leased on a yearly tenancy to the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association at 10s per annum; it was maintained by the London County Council. At that time it was described as 'A rectangular area laid out as an ornamental garden. Well-kept and attractive, and a great amenity to the dwelling-houses overlooking it.' Although somewhat neglected, the garden has elaborate low stone walls around a paved central area and around inner perimeter niches for seats, with evidence of interesting planting among its perimeter trees.
In February 2014 an elm tree was planted in the garden commemorating long-time resident of Carlton Square, Wilfred Coppen (1918-2013). Among those who attended the ceremony were members of the local community, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and representatives of the Royal British Legion in recognition of Wilfred's war record in WWII. The tree, which was provided through the Conservation Foundation, is the first of a new disease-resistant English elm to be planted by Tower Hamlets Council since Dutch elm disease devastated the UK's elm trees in the 1970s.
The small garden at Carlton Square is tucked behind Carlton Square Gardens, a larger area of public open space that was formed by the LCC in the 1960s through house clearance following WWII bomb damage. It consists largely of grass, bordered by trees.
In February 2014 an elm tree was planted in the garden commemorating long-time resident of Carlton Square, Wilfred Coppen (1918-2013). Among those who attended the ceremony were members of the local community, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and representatives of the Royal British Legion in recognition of Wilfred's war record in WWII. The tree, which was provided through the Conservation Foundation, is the first of a new disease-resistant English elm to be planted by Tower Hamlets Council since Dutch elm disease devastated the UK's elm trees in the 1970s.
The small garden at Carlton Square is tucked behind Carlton Square Gardens, a larger area of public open space that was formed by the LCC in the 1960s through house clearance following WWII bomb damage. It consists largely of grass, bordered by trees.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ356823 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.7868 |
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1850s; 1885 |
| 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 | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Carlton Square |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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
Alderney Road Cemetery is the oldest Ashkenazi Jewish cemetery in the UK, which opened in 1697. It was extended in 1749 and a granite plaque records that: 'Within this cemetery lie the mortal remains of the founders, lay readers and rabbis of the Ashkenazim community of this country'. The cemetery was closed in 1852 but remained with a resident caretaker. There are many fine tombs and a number of notable trees in the cemetery, which is surrounded by high brick walls.
Bancroft Road Cemetery is a small Jewish burial ground that opened in 1811, set up by the Amude Yesharim (The Pillars of the Upright), who opened their Maiden Lane Synagogue in 1811. The cemetery was closed for burials in 1907 and was much neglected during the C20th, suffering bomb damage in WWII. It consists of a small strip of land bordered by railings to Bancroft Road and walled to the back. There are a number of upright headstones, monuments and gravestones laid flat on the ground, and a few trees.
Spanish and Portuguese Jews came to this country fleeing from religious persecution and established themselves in Mile End in 1656. The Sephardi Velho (Old) Cemetery opened in 1657, the first Jewish cemetery to be established with Oliver Cromwell's approval. The land was formerly part of a garden and orchard. It was extended in 1670 and again in 1684 and eventually closed in 1737 after it was full, when a new cemetery opened nearby, the Sephardi Nuevo (New) Cemetery. Many prominent Sephardi Jews were among those buried here. The Beth Holim or Hospital and Old People's Home of Spanish and Portuguese Jews moved here in 1790, with the cemetery used partly as a garden. In 1912 Albert Stern House was built and in 1977 Beth Holim moved to Wembley, and Albert Stern House is now a student hostel.
