Description
Cleaver Square was developed from 1789, originally called Prince's Square but re-named by the LCC in 1937 after the C18th owner of the land, Mary Cleaver. The central garden was originally laid out with grass, and it was later used as a nursery garden. New owners in 1924 wishing to build over the garden, the only way to preserve it as open space was to purchase it under the 1906 Open Spaces Act. As a result Lambeth Borough Council purchased the garden and laid it out as a playground, with perimeter trees planted subsequently. The garden was restored in c.2000 to form an open tree lined area with gravel, cobbles and numerous seats.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Princes Square; Prince's Square |
|---|---|
| Site location | Cleaver Square |
| Postcode | SE11 4EA |
| What3Words | ///asks.yarn.tame |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Kennington (Northern). Bus: 3, 109, 133,155, 159, 59. |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Until 1937 this was called Prince's or Princes Square, renamed as a result of the LCC's changing of street names across London to avoid duplication, a decision that took place with the encouragement of the Post Office. As a result the LCC renamed and renumbered thousands of streets across London, abolishing 4,000 duplicate street names.
The name was taken from earlier owners of the land here. Development of the square began in 1789 after the landowner Mary Cleaver leased the site to Thomas Ellis, the publican of the Horns Tavern nearby. It was the first square to be developed south of the Thames following the building of Westminster Bridge, although it was not finally completed until the 1850s; the central garden was laid out in c.1799. In 1815 John Bowden purchased the property and his family retained ownership until 1924. The new owners wished to build over it with garages but this was refused and it was discovered that the only way of preserving the garden was to purchase it under the 1906 Open Spaces Act. As a result in 1927 it was purchased by Lambeth Borough Council the funds raised by public subscription with contributions from the LCC and Lambeth Borough Council. It was initially laid out as an asphalted playground, although trees were later planted and the garden gravelled. The garden was restored by LB Lambeth and English Heritage with the MPGA grant to form an open tree lined area of 'considerable charm and architectural merit' (LGSD booklet) with gravel, cobbles and numerous seats, with traditional post and rail enclosure.
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.
The name was taken from earlier owners of the land here. Development of the square began in 1789 after the landowner Mary Cleaver leased the site to Thomas Ellis, the publican of the Horns Tavern nearby. It was the first square to be developed south of the Thames following the building of Westminster Bridge, although it was not finally completed until the 1850s; the central garden was laid out in c.1799. In 1815 John Bowden purchased the property and his family retained ownership until 1924. The new owners wished to build over it with garages but this was refused and it was discovered that the only way of preserving the garden was to purchase it under the 1906 Open Spaces Act. As a result in 1927 it was purchased by Lambeth Borough Council the funds raised by public subscription with contributions from the LCC and Lambeth Borough Council. It was initially laid out as an asphalted playground, although trees were later planted and the garden gravelled. The garden was restored by LB Lambeth and English Heritage with the MPGA grant to form an open tree lined area of 'considerable charm and architectural merit' (LGSD booklet) with gravel, cobbles and numerous seats, with traditional post and rail enclosure.
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ314782 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.17 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit |
| Dates | 1789 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: most properties fronting the square |
| 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 | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Kennington |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes - in surrounding area |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected London Square. Open Space |
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
Kennington Green came into being as a result of the opening of Westminster Bridge in 1750. The land was left as waste land and was subsequently maintained by the Duchy of Cornwall as Lord of the Manor. In 1928 it was described as a 'very attractive [. . . ] triangular area maintained as a lawn with trees around the border'. The MPGA acquired the site from the Duchy for £5 and it was transferred to Lambeth Borough Council in 1938. It was re-landscaped for the Festival of Britain in 1951, when it was enclosed with a dwarf brick wall and iron railings, planted with crab apple trees and provided with seating. It was re-landscaped following closure during a major Transport for London scheme in 2015-2022.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Kennington Park was created when part of Kennington Common was enclosed by Act of Parliament in 1852. It opened to the public in 1854, laid out with a central area of lawns enclosed by tree-lined paths, with trees and shrubs on most boundaries, and sunken gardens with massed bedding. Further land was acquired in 1888 and 1921 as a result of which an enclosed Old English Garden was laid out, as well as a swimming pool with extensive playground. Other facilities provided over the years included a children's gymnasium, bandstand, refreshment house, drinking fountains and sports facilities. In the 1970s further land was added to the south-east.
Kennington Park was created when part of Kennington Common was enclosed by Act of Parliament in 1852. It opened to the public in 1854, laid out with a central area of lawns enclosed by tree-lined paths, with trees and shrubs on most boundaries, and sunken gardens with massed bedding. Further land was acquired in 1888 and 1921 as a result of which an enclosed Old English Garden was laid out, as well as a swimming pool with extensive playground. Other facilities provided over the years included a children's gymnasium, bandstand, refreshment house, drinking fountains and sports facilities. In the 1970s further land was added to the south-east.
Now named Walworth Garden, this community garden was previously known as Walworth City Farm or Walworth Garden Farm. It was established by local residents in 1987 on a plot of derelict land and, a registered charity, it now has a learning centre, wildlife pond, orchard, horticultural training centre, bee hives and food-growing as well as a wide variety of plants. Its Garden Services Division employs local people to create and maintain gardens for clients including Southwark Cathedral.
