Description
Clarence Gardens together with Munster Square was originally part of John Nash's plan of 1820 to provide a second market to complement Cumberland Market, but neither were built. The centre of the site was used as a nursery ground in the C19th. The land, owned by the Crown, was later leased to the LCC for a public garden, which opened in May 1907. It was laid out with walks and seats, an attractive garden surrounded by houses, divided into two rectangular enclosures by Osnaburgh Street. Now overlooked by modern housing, the garden was partially re-landscaped in 1972; the shape and its mature plane trees are the only historic features now remaining.
Practical Information
| Site location | Regents Park Estate, Osnaburgh Street |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW1 |
| What3Words | ///goals.penny.option |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Great Portland Street (Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Circle). Bus: C2, 24, 27, 29, 134. |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site is a rectangle laid out with grass and shrubs partially re-landscaped in 1972, enclosed by modern railings, with some mature London plane trees. Its square formation is the result of having been originally planned by John Nash in 1820 as a second market, with Munster Square, to complement Cumberland Market, although these two markets were never built. The shape of the garden, and its mature planes are the only historic features now remaining. The centre of the site was used as a nursery ground in the C19th. The land was owned by the Crown and leased to the LCC for a public garden, which was opened in May 1907, laid out with walks and seats. It was preserved under the London Square and Enclosures (Preservation) Act of 1906, which prohibited building on the ground. In 1928 it was described as 'divided into two rectangular enclosures by Osnaburgh Street. Laid out as very attractive gardens with well-kept lawns, flower beds and trees. Overlooked by dwelling-houses.' Today it is overlooked by modern, low-rise Council flats. The west side has raised beds with the east side grassed.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ289826 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.3008 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Parks & Open Spaces |
| Dates | C19th; 1907 |
| 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 | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local) |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Munster Square is a rectangular garden enclosed by modern railings. Modern low-rise council blocks replace the former C19th terraces that once surrounded the garden. The site was originally planned by John Nash as an additional market to serve Regent's Park in the 1820s, but never developed as such. The garden, divided by Osnaburgh Street, was leased by the Crown to the LCC who opened it to the public in June 1906, laid out with walks and seats.
The market was originally planned by John Nash in the 1820s as a third market for hay to serve Regent's Park. In 1834 it was known as Regent's Park Haymarket, and the modern plan preserves the outlines of this layout. It was established close to the Cumberland Basin, which was fed by an arm of Regent's Canal but eventually infilled in 1942/3. Cumberland Market Playground opened to the public in 1923. The market closed in 1926; an ice-house beneath was filled in during the 1930s. Now overlooked by modern low-rise council blocks and the Crown Estate's Windsor House, the gardens have been refurbished and part of the cobbled surfaces of the former market restored.
This long narrow garden enclosure laid out as a shrubbery provided a common frontage to the 12 large houses of Cambridge Terrace facing Regent's Park. The Terrace was designed by John Nash as part of his plan of 1811 to develop the Crown Estate lands as a fashionable residential area, with the backing of the Prince Regent, later George IV. Authorisation had been given in 1794 for developing the land, once part of Henry VIII's hunting park but by then leased mainly as farmland, which was due to revert to the Crown in 1811. Cambridge Terrace was named after George III's son Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge.
