Description
Dorset Square was built in 1815-1820 as the central feature of the planned urban layout of the Portman Estate. The square was built on land formerly occupied by Thomas Lord's first cricket ground established in 1787, which vacated the site in 1811. The garden enclosure, little altered since its original lay-out in 1814, was owned by Portman family, its maintenance vested in a private Trust by Act of Parliament in 1813. The Trust levied a rate for its upkeep on residents of Dorset Square, who had the right to use the garden. In 1952 death duties forced the Estate to sell the freeholds of the square and it is now owned and maintained by the Dorset Square Trust.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Dorset Fields |
|---|---|
| Site location | Dorset Square/Gloucester Place, Marylebone |
| Postcode | NW1 6QJ |
| What3Words | ///flame.fans.loose |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Baker Street (Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan, Jubilee). Rail/Tube: Marylebone (Bakerloo) Bus: 13, 18, 27, 30, 82, 113, 274, 453 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Dorset Square is still architecturally intact and the garden is little altered since its original laying-out. The Portman Estate has a grid pattern hierarchy of square, thoroughfares and side streets. The design of the square has been attributed to the surveyor, Charles Day. The garden was laid out in 1814 on land formerly occupied by Thomas Lord's first cricket ground, home of the Marylebone Cricket Club, established in 1787, which vacated the site in 1811. Progress on the square was slowwas slow; by the time of Horwood's 1819 survey only 4 houses had been built. Three houses on the east side have original ironwork verandas on the first floor, overlooking the square. The garden enclosure remained in the ownership of the Portman family, but its maintenance had been vested in a private Trust by an Act of Parliament in 1813. The Trust levied a rate for its upkeep on the occupiers of houses in Dorset Square, who had the right to use the garden. In 1928 it was described as 'an oblong area surrounded by low, sparse privet hedge', 'an attractive open space with well-kept lawns and some fine trees'. In 1952 death duties forced the Portman Estate to sell the freeholds of the square, that of the garden going for £100. The Trust that continues to maintain the garden collects a rent from the residents of the square towards its costs.
Peter Potter's survey of the square for the Portman Estate c.1820 shows an oval surrounded by a shrubbery bed containing a symmetrical circuit walk. Within the walk was a symmetrical arrangement of five central clumps and four small ‘corner' beds, the lawns scattered with smaller shrubs and trees. The planting and path layout still closely resemble Potter's survey. The perimeter planting comprises mature London planes, underplanted with shrubs and trees now including holly, cherry and magnolia. The central clump, now of four mature London planes, also contains a modest wooden shelter. At the eastern end there is an attractive wooden kiosk, and the square is completely bounded by the railings.
Former residents of the square include Sir Laurence Gomme (1853-1916), early pioneer of the Blue Plaques Scheme who lived at No. 24 from 1895-1909, George Grossmith, co-author of The Diary of A Nobody, and Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmatians, the houses marked by Blue Plaques. Despite the lack of change to the square itself, the build-up of traffic on the neighbouring Gloucester Place has had an impact on the square's character; the shift in use of the surrounding houses from residential to business may also come to threaten the square's viability.
Peter Potter's survey of the square for the Portman Estate c.1820 shows an oval surrounded by a shrubbery bed containing a symmetrical circuit walk. Within the walk was a symmetrical arrangement of five central clumps and four small ‘corner' beds, the lawns scattered with smaller shrubs and trees. The planting and path layout still closely resemble Potter's survey. The perimeter planting comprises mature London planes, underplanted with shrubs and trees now including holly, cherry and magnolia. The central clump, now of four mature London planes, also contains a modest wooden shelter. At the eastern end there is an attractive wooden kiosk, and the square is completely bounded by the railings.
Former residents of the square include Sir Laurence Gomme (1853-1916), early pioneer of the Blue Plaques Scheme who lived at No. 24 from 1895-1909, George Grossmith, co-author of The Diary of A Nobody, and Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmatians, the houses marked by Blue Plaques. Despite the lack of change to the square itself, the build-up of traffic on the neighbouring Gloucester Place has had an impact on the square's character; the shift in use of the surrounding houses from residential to business may also come to threaten the square's viability.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ276820 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.364 |
| Site Ownership | Dorset Square Trust |
| Dates | 1814 |
| Designers | Charles Day |
| Listed Structures | LBII: On the east side nos. 1 to 8. On the north side the nos. 9 to 20. On the west side the nos. 21 to 28. On the south side the nos. 29 to 40. |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Dorset Square |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
This is a private garden for the use of residents of York Terrace West, designed as part of John Nash's original conception for The Regent's Park, approved by the Treasury in 1811. His plan for developing the former royal hunting chase included the 400-acre park, which was to be surrounded by villas and terraces, the latter given names that reflected royal patronage. York Terrace, built 1822-3 and named for Frederick Duke of York, was designed as two groups, split by York Gate. The houses had their main entrances on the south and presented an uninterrupted façade to Regent's Park, fronted by a garden enclosure laid out with lawn, a series of planted beds along the north, perimeter path, and planting along the front and side boundaries, punctuated by entrances in the centre and at each end.
Kent Terrace was built as part of Regent's Park Crown Estate development, a unified terrace designed by John Nash. It was built by William Smith, one of the number of speculative builders working within Nash's overall design, one of the last terraces to be built. Nash recommended Smith's scheme to the Commissioners in 1827 on condition that Smith would 'lay out the ground in front in an ornamental manner'.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Regent's University London was formerly occupied by Bedford College, set up in the mid C19th for the higher education of women, which moved to South Villa in Regent's Park in 1908, when new buildings were erected. It continued as such until the 1990s when Regent's College took over the site and mainly ran business courses for foreign nationals. In 2013 the college was awarded university status and it is now Regent's University London. Bedford College had an interesting botany garden, which had included rare specimens, but it was landscaped over when Bedford College left the site. The former botanic garden has since been nurtured as a 'secret garden' as part of the landscape work undertaken in the grounds. The gardens include a sub-tropical rockery by the lake near what may be an old police 'lock-up'; a conservatory garden, open lawns, fine mature trees, and an oriental-themed garden 'room'. Two students from the US who died in the Lockerbie plane crash are commemorated with trees in the gardens.
Regent's University London was formerly occupied by Bedford College, set up in the mid C19th for the higher education of women, which moved to South Villa in Regent's Park in 1908, when new buildings were erected. It continued as such until the 1990s when Regent's College took over the site and mainly ran business courses for foreign nationals. In 2013 the college was awarded university status and it is now Regent's University London. Bedford College had an interesting botany garden, which had included rare specimens, but it was landscaped over when Bedford College left the site. The former botanic garden has since been nurtured as a 'secret garden' as part of the landscape work undertaken in the grounds. The gardens include a sub-tropical rockery by the lake near what may be an old police 'lock-up'; a conservatory garden, open lawns, fine mature trees, and an oriental-themed garden 'room'. Two students from the US who died in the Lockerbie plane crash are commemorated with trees in the gardens.
