Description
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.
Practical Information
| Site location | Regents Park Estate, Cumberland Market |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW1 |
| What3Words | ///trial.middle.asleep |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk |
| Facilities | Playground, sports pitch |
| Public Transport | Tube: Great Portland Street (Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Circle). Rail/London Overground/Tube (Northern/Victoria): Euston. Bus: C2, 24, 27, 29, 134, 135. |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
A square enclosure surrounded by modern railings, with a few mature London planes, divided up into a landscaped area and recreation areas, one end built over with single storey brick cabins. The site was originally planned by John Nash in the 1820s as a third market for hay to serve the Regent's Park Estate, close to the Cumberland canal basin. An arm of Regent's Canal was constructed 1813-16 from the west of Regent's Park and Albany Street to end in the basin at Cumberland Market. Gloucester Gate Bridge was built over the Cumberland Basin arm in 1877 but the basin was infilled in 1942/3. In 1834 it was known as Regent's Park Haymarket, and the modern plan preserves the outlines of this layout. Cumberland Market Playground opened to the public in 1923 and the market closed in 1926; an ice-house beneath the market, supplied by boat from Norway, was filled in during the 1930s. Now overlooked by modern low-rise council blocks and the Crown Estate's Windsor House of c.1940 with a pleasant front garden, aligned on its north-south axis. The gardens have been refurbished and part of the cobbled surfaces of the former market restored, with new playground equipment also provided.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ289827 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.5771 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Parks & Open Spaces |
| Dates | C19th |
| 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 | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local). Playground is Private Open Space |
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
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.
This long narrow enclosure was laid out as an ornamental garden for the use of residents of Chester Terrace and provides a common frontage to the longest unbroken façade overlooking 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. Chester Terrace is named after the Prince Regent who was also Earl of Chester.
Chester Place 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. Chester Place is named after the Prince Regent who was also Earl of Chester.
