Description
Dartmouth Park takes its name from the Earl of Dartmouth who bought land here in the mid C18th. Housing development accelerated from the mid C19th and the need to increase the supply of fresh water to serve London's expanding population meant that water companies were building new facilities. Two covered reservoirs were constructed on Dartmouth Park Hill in 1855 by the New River Company and connected to its new waterworks and pumping station by Stoke Newington reservoirs. Dartmouth Park was laid out on the edge of the reservoirs and opened to the public in 1972. The land slopes steeply to the north and the east of the reservoirs, which are now covered with grassland. The top of the slope gives a bird's eye view over south-east London. The park has an enclosed seating area surrounded by a hedge, which local children helped to plant in 1991.
Practical Information
| Site location | Dartmouth Park Hill/Bickerton Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N19 |
| What3Words | ///vague.under.chest |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Facilities | Children's playground, multi-use sports area |
| Public Transport | Tube: Tufnell Park, Archway (Northern) then bus. London Overground: Upper Holloway. Bus: 4, 17, 41, 43, 134, 143, 263, 271, 390, C11, W5 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The New River was a man-made water conduit constructed in 1609-1613 to bring fresh water from springs 20 miles away in Hertfordshire to supply London's growing population. The man behind this enterprise was Sir Hugh Myddelton who had the support of King James I. Part of the New River is still in use today under the ownership of Thames Water but the working watercourse now ends at Stoke Newington. In 1902 the New River Company became part of the Metropolitan Water Board, created by Act of Parliament to merge London's 8 water companies; in 1973 the Water Board became part of the Thames Water Authority, Metropolitan Water Division. The reservoirs on Dartmouth Park Hill are still owned by Thames Water. The land slopes steeply to the north and east of the reservoirs, now covered with grassland, and although private land there are views of the reservoir site from Dartmouth Park, together with fine views over the south east of London. A viewpoint with shelter, seating and a map were erected, but the shelter is no longer in place and the map is vandalised to the point of illegibility.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ290863 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Reservoirs: Thames Water. Park: LB Islington |
| Site Management | Reservoirs: Thames Water. Park: LB Islington Greenspace |
| Dates | 1855; 1972 |
| 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 | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance I |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Shopping Policy Area |
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
This area was developed from the 1860s as Highgate New Town, largely providing working class terraced housing. The Whittington Estate was built in the 1970s as part of post WWII social housing by Camden Council. Built north of Raydon Street, and overlooking Highgate Cemetery, the estate comprises six terraces with strong horizontal lines of balconies and cornices and vertical cross walls. Between each terrace is a pedestrian walkway of a different character, with planting of trees and shrubs to soften the architecture. This landscaping together with other green spaces provided for residents is an integral part of the design.
Holly Lodge Estate was built on the sloping site of the grounds of Holly Lodge, a late C18th villa that had stood near Robin Grove. In 1808 it was leased to actress Harriet Mellon who married banker Thomas Coutts and later the Duke of St Albans. After the latter's death in 1849 Holly Lodge was inherited by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts. The estate was expanded considerably between 1809 and 1864. In 1922 the estate was sold for housing and Holly Lodge Estate laid out in 1923. Part of the original gardens survive between the former carriage drive and Holly Lodge Gardens, maintained for private use of estate residents. Two garden areas are separated by a wooded avenue, the larger laid out around evergreen oaks and originally a Glade of Cedars of Lebanon, of which only one now remains, and a small flower garden to the east of the carriage drive.
Holly Village is a small garden estate comprising a group of 12 former estate cottages designed by Henry A Darbishire for Baroness Burdett-Coutts to house her trusted retainers close to her residence, Holly Lodge, which was further to the north and now the site of the early C20th Holly Lodge Estate. Picturesquely grouped around a private garden in model village style, the 2-storey cottages are cottage ornée in style. The central garden has three grass terraces linked by gravel paths, and is entered from the street through a central archway. The estate's rural atmosphere is enhanced by the lattice fencing and dense holly hedges that surround it.
