Description
The Crescent Garden is a communal garden behind Randolph Crescent, Warrington Crescent and Randolph Avenue. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing had communal gardens for the use of the occupiers. Here the surrounding houses are mainly stuccoed buildings of c.1865, although some were destroyed by WWI bombing, enemy aircraft apparently mistaking the canals in the area for the Thames. Until c.1980 this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees, whose plans to convert the garden into a communal car park were defeated by local residents. The Crescent Garden has lawns, fine trees, island beds including a Princess Diana Memorial bed, pergola, obelisk and children's play area. There are many mature trees, chiefly London plane.
Practical Information
| Site location | Warrington Crescent / Randolph Crescent, Maida Vale |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W9 1ED |
| What3Words | ///spring.baking.flags |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for keyholders only |
| Facilities | Children's play area |
| Public Transport | Tube: Warwick Avenue. Bus: 6, 46, 98, 187, 414 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Crescent Garden has simple gravel paths, large lawns, shrubs, and many mature trees, chiefly London plane, which are visible from surrounding streets. The surrounding houses are stuccoed buildings of c.1865, although WWI bombing in the area destroyed some of the housing, which was replaced by 1920s-style houses. Enemy aircraft apparently mistook the canals in the area for the Thames.
Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. Management of the garden was by a Committee of occupiers and the expenses of maintenance were assessed proportionately on each house, with the Trustees having the power to undertake maintenance in the case of neglect. When the Church Commissioners sold the freeholds of their property in the area, they drew up legal arrangements as a means of preserving the special character of these neighbourhoods, including the gardens. They set up 12 amenity companies, each having Deeds and with a Rent Charge, to cover 12 areas. In the 1970s local residents had defeated plans by the Church Commissioners to turn the garden into car parking.
Today the garden has lawns, fine trees, island beds, Princess Diana Memorial bed, pergola, obelisk and children's play area. It was recently given an award as London's best large private garden square. There are a number of other communal gardens in the neighbourhood, Formosa Gardens and The Triangle Garden (q.q.v.).
Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. Management of the garden was by a Committee of occupiers and the expenses of maintenance were assessed proportionately on each house, with the Trustees having the power to undertake maintenance in the case of neglect. When the Church Commissioners sold the freeholds of their property in the area, they drew up legal arrangements as a means of preserving the special character of these neighbourhoods, including the gardens. They set up 12 amenity companies, each having Deeds and with a Rent Charge, to cover 12 areas. In the 1970s local residents had defeated plans by the Church Commissioners to turn the garden into car parking.
Today the garden has lawns, fine trees, island beds, Princess Diana Memorial bed, pergola, obelisk and children's play area. It was recently given an award as London's best large private garden square. There are a number of other communal gardens in the neighbourhood, Formosa Gardens and The Triangle Garden (q.q.v.).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ261823 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Private |
| Site Management | Robert Player Associates |
| Dates | 1865 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Warrington Crescent, east side Nos.1-49 and the Warrington Hotel, pair of K2 telephone kiosks, 1927 north of hotel; Warrington Crescent west side Nos. 4-36 and Colonnade Hotel; Randolph Avenue, south west side, Nos. 29 to 35 and front garden wall; 37 to 43a, 45 to 59 including walls to basement, 63 to 79 and no.61, the White House with front garden wall |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Maida Vale |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
The Triangle Garden is a communal gardens in the triangle formed by Randolph Crescent, Clifton Gardens and Randolph Avenue. Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. The white stucco houses date from the 1860s and the peaceful garden has formal and informal beds and a central island with London plane trees that are over 100 years old.
The Formosa Garden is a communal garden behind houses on Warrington Crescent, Castellain Road, Formosa Street and Sutherland Avenue. Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. The large garden is triangular in shape and lined with plane trees, and has island beds set in lawn and a number of fine trees.
Little Venice Gardens are for the private use of residents of the houses backing onto this secluded private space. It was laid out in the 1840s on the Pond Fields belonging to the Bishop of London, residential development around the basin of the Grand Union Canal having begun in the 1830s. The garden has mature trees, managed woodland, expanses of lawns and herbaceous borders, and rose beds with box hedging. Trees include London plane, lime and horse chestnut. Facilities for the residents include a tennis court, open to members of Little Venice Tennis Club, and a children's playground.
