Description
Chelsea Harbour is redeveloped railway land between Chelsea Creek and the former West London Extenuation Railway, and was developed from 1981onwards. The former basin of Kensington Canal is now a marina that forms the focal point of the development. Landscaping was an integral part of the scheme, and around the site perimeter and internal courtyards are lawns with shrub and flower beds, with formal planting around the marina. Display of sculpture was an early feature of the development and there are a number of permanently-sited sculptural works.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lots Road, Chelsea Harbour |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW10 0XE |
| What3Words | ///grades.bravo.mugs |
| Type of Site | Private Open Land |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted to most of the site, but some designated Residents Only. |
| Facilities | Design Centre: shops, restaurants, bars, Design Cafe; The Marina; car parking |
| Public Transport | London Overground: Imperial Wharf. Tube: Earls Court (Piccadilly, District); Fulham Broadway (District) then bus. Bus C3, 11, 22 |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Chelsea Harbour is redeveloped railway land between Chelsea Creek and the former West London Extenuation Railway, and was developed from 1981onwards to designs by Ray Moxley and Peter Bedford. The railway was built over the Kensington Canal and the basin was retained as a dock. Shown as Railway Dock in the 1948 version of Bartholomew's map, it is now Chelsea Harbour Marina, which formed a focal point in the regeneration of the area. By the early 1980s, this riverside landscape had become run-down, with buildings, factories and wharves becoming derelict. Two companies, P&O and Globe, then purchased a 20-acre site of former coal yards for a new development, which was to provide 'a unique world of houses, flats, offices, restaurants and shops' with a luxury hotel and a marina. It is now the home of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour reputedly the largest design centre in Europe with 70 showrooms, and the Chelsea Harbour Marina, which has 52 berths. Although a private development there is public access to the site and a riverside walk was laid out that forms part of the Thames Path.
Landscaping was an integral part of the scheme, and around the outside of the site and in courtyards of blocks of flats there are lawns with shrub and flower beds. Around the marina there is formal planting of large square earthenware tubs embossed with the Chelsea Harbour logo. The planting consists of a mixture of small trees and flowering plants. From the early days, the development regularly displayed sculptural works, which were arranged in conjunction with The Sculpture Company. A number of sculptures and artefacts are found on the site and include 'The Gateway of Hands', 1994, by Glynn Williams, a two-part work in bronze that stands beside Harbour Avenue near the Lots Road entrance and was acquired by P&O for the development. The Admiralty Anchor, a forged iron anchor that was found in Portsmouth Harbour, was sited within a circular paved area by the Thames Path in 1989 between Chelsea Yacht Club and the Belvedere. The Harbour Yard and the Design Centre have atria with potted plants, cycads being a special feature.
Landscaping was an integral part of the scheme, and around the outside of the site and in courtyards of blocks of flats there are lawns with shrub and flower beds. Around the marina there is formal planting of large square earthenware tubs embossed with the Chelsea Harbour logo. The planting consists of a mixture of small trees and flowering plants. From the early days, the development regularly displayed sculptural works, which were arranged in conjunction with The Sculpture Company. A number of sculptures and artefacts are found on the site and include 'The Gateway of Hands', 1994, by Glynn Williams, a two-part work in bronze that stands beside Harbour Avenue near the Lots Road entrance and was acquired by P&O for the development. The Admiralty Anchor, a forged iron anchor that was found in Portsmouth Harbour, was sited within a circular paved area by the Thames Path in 1989 between Chelsea Yacht Club and the Belvedere. The Harbour Yard and the Design Centre have atria with potted plants, cycads being a special feature.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ263767 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Chelsea Harbour Ltd |
| Site Management | Chelsea Harbour Ltd |
| Dates | 1981 |
| Designers | Ray Moxley and Peter Bedford |
| 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 | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Site 22 Chelsea Creek, EN 27 nature conservation, EN 28 green corridors |
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
A church was recorded here from at least the C12th. The Manor of Battersea from the time of the Conquest had belonged to the Abbey of Westminster; the old manor house was east of the church and the main area of the village was to the south. St Mary's Church is in effect an C18th preaching box that was built in 1777 to replace an earlier building. The churchyard is surrounded by fine walls, railings and has ornate gates; it is laid out as a garden with lawns, seating, paths and some fine trees. A few historic tombs remain within the grass as well as gravestones against the boundary walls; among those buried here was William Curtis (d.1799) a well-known botanist. Other famous people associated with St Mary's include William Blake and J M W Turner.
The riverside Cremorne Gardens were re-landscaped in 1981/2, but commemorate the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens that were on the site from 1845-77. Located in the gardens are the restored Cremorne Gates that once stood at the King's Road end of the original gardens and belonged to Lord Cremorne's house. The gates serve to divide the park into two areas: a cobbled area with raised beds, planters, War Memorial and steps leading to the river promenade; and an area of lawn on undulating ground with shrubs and seating.
Imperial Square was built by the Imperial Gas Light & Coke Company, which had acquired the Sandford Manor estate in 1824 in order to establish its large gasworks here. This stretch of the Fulham riverside became a thriving industrial area in the C19th but by the 1970s it was largely abandoned. The 2-storey terraces were built to house workers, including Germans brought over to work at the gasworks at a time of strike, leading to the square's nickname 'German Square'. The houses overlooked an open space, although this was not landscaped until the 1980s, originally paved and having gas lamp posts, although the houses had generous front gardens.