Description
Edward Square was formerly a mid C19th garden square, which opened to the public in 1888 laid out by the MPGA. Bomb damage led to the decline of the surrounding houses, which were demolished in 1964/5. By the 1980s the central garden was unkempt and, following an active campaign by local residents, the park was redesigned in consultation with local people, with an emphasis on involvement of younger users. The new landscaping includes an orchard and meadow area, a cobbled path and paving slabs planted with herbs. The park is designed in four areas, with two lawns either side of a paved area with play equipment and seating.
Practical Information
| Site location | Copenhagen Street/Caledonian Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N1 |
| What3Words | ///stand.grape.gains |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Facilities | Children's playground, basketball hoop |
| Events | various, including Music Festival in June; has opened for OGSW |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube: King's Cross (Northern, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City; Circle, Victoria, Piccadilly). Bus: 17, 91, 259 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Edward Square was built in 1853-60 and comprised 53 houses. It had a central garden, which was taken over by the Vestry in 1890 under the Open Spaces Act of 1887, and leased to the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. It was refurbished and opened to the public in 1888 by Lord Meath, Chair of the MPGA. The houses were demolished in 1964/5 having deteriorated following bomb damage. By the 1980s the former fragment of the central garden had become a broad, unkempt stretch of grass behind the Caledonian Road.
Through SRB funding, and following an active campaign by local residents, the park was recently redesigned by Johanna Gibbons in consultation with local people, with an emphasis on the involvement of younger users. The new landscaping includes an orchard and meadow area, a cobbled path and paving slabs planted with herbs, and is entered through galvanised gates with designs by young people. The park is designed in four areas, with two lawns either side of a paved area with play equipment and seating. Among the trees planted is a weeping willow replacing a tree that had to be felled. Also involved in the new park was the artist Kate Blee who created a decorative wall panel in a geometric design and pure colour with a white line at the height of a tennis net. Poet Laureate Andrew Motion contributed a poem, which was shot-blasted onto an extensive L-shaped stepped seat. The park has a mural commemorating the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Through SRB funding, and following an active campaign by local residents, the park was recently redesigned by Johanna Gibbons in consultation with local people, with an emphasis on the involvement of younger users. The new landscaping includes an orchard and meadow area, a cobbled path and paving slabs planted with herbs, and is entered through galvanised gates with designs by young people. The park is designed in four areas, with two lawns either side of a paved area with play equipment and seating. Among the trees planted is a weeping willow replacing a tree that had to be felled. Also involved in the new park was the artist Kate Blee who created a decorative wall panel in a geometric design and pure colour with a white line at the height of a tennis net. Poet Laureate Andrew Motion contributed a poem, which was shot-blasted onto an extensive L-shaped stepped seat. The park has a mural commemorating the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ306835 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.45 |
| Site Ownership | LB Islington |
| Site Management | Greenspace; Friends of Edward Square (FREDS) |
| Dates | 1853; 1888; 2000 |
| Designers | 1888: MPGA; 2000: J and L Gibbons |
| 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 | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Barnsbury |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| 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.
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