Description
Chesham Place is a well-tended triangular garden square laid out in 1831 on land belonging to the Lowndes family. The private garden is overlooked by a row of C19th terraced houses built by Thomas Cubitt that are integral to the original layout. The railings of the square were replaced with wire netting in the C20th. The garden, described in 1928 as 'an attractive ornamental garden', comprises a central lawn with shrubberies of camellias and rhododendrons at the margins.
Practical Information
| Site location | Chesham Place, Belgravia |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW1 |
| What3Words | ///ripe.broker.recent |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, open to keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Sloane Square (District, Circle) |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The bronze statue, 'Great Flora L' (1978) by German sculptor Fritz Koenig was installed outside the extension to the German Embassy in Chatham Place designed by architects Walther and Bea Betz, 1979.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ281792 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Private |
| Dates | 1831 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Mews arch to the end of Belgrave Mews West, 7 - 14, 29-37 & 38 Chesham Place |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Belgravia |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Cadogan Place Gardens is a long rectangular site with Pont Street dividing a smaller north section from the main area to the south. The North Garden, formerly called Cadogan Square, was landscaped by Humphry Repton but his work was lost with the installation of the underground car park in 1978. The South Garden used to be the London Botanic Garden and has 300-year old mulberries; in the centre is the Hans Sloane Garden, created for the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show. Both areas are railed with boundary shrubberies enclosing lawns, with clumps of shrubbery and mature trees including London plane and ailanthus. There has been extensive enrichment of trees and shrubs since the late 1970s.
Cadogan Place Gardens is a long rectangular site with Pont Street dividing a smaller north section from the main area to the south. The North Garden, formerly called Cadogan Square, was landscaped by Humphry Repton but his work was lost with the installation of the underground car park in 1978. The South Garden used to be the London Botanic Garden and has 300-year old mulberries; in the centre is the Hans Sloane Garden, created for the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show. Both areas are railed with boundary shrubberies enclosing lawns, with clumps of shrubbery and mature trees including London plane and ailanthus. There has been extensive enrichment of trees and shrubs since the late 1970s.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.