Description
Opposite the Old Vic, Emma Cons Garden commemorates the theatre's benefactress. The Old Vic opened in 1818 and was managed by Emma Cons from 1880 until her death in 1912. The site opposite the theatre was bombed in WWII and was derelict until purchased by the LCC and opened as a public garden in 1958, laid out with trees, raised grass plots and seats. By early C21st it was fairly derelict, with a burnt tree stump and broken brick planters. It was re-paved in 2003 and the poorly maintained brick planters opposite the Old Vic were removed. Since 2005 new landscaping has again taken place.
Practical Information
| Site location | The Cut/Waterloo Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE1 |
| What3Words | ///ballots.plan.hurray |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Waterloo and City, Jubilee, Bakerloo). Bus: 1, 11, 59, 68, 168, 171 |
| Research Updated | 1 January 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Old Vic opened in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre after its patroness Princess Charlotte of Saxe Coburg. Its name changed to the Victoria Theatre in 1833. In 1879 it was bought by public subscription and given to the Coffee Palace Association, a society promoting the substitution of coffee over alcohol as the favourite beverage of the working classes, and which provided musical and variety acts as well as lectures to effect this. The Theatre was managed by Emma Cons (1838-1912), 'an ardent reformer and legendary impresario' (Draper) from 1880 until her death in 1912.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ312798 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.09 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth) |
| Dates | 1958 |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: Old Vic Theatre. LBII: Old Waterloo Firestation |
| 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 | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Ufford Street Gardens is located on land that was part of the Manor of Lambeth, known as Chalcroft Meadow, which was owned by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Development of the area for housing began in the early C19th but in 1901 it was redeveloped by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who designated part of the land for a new public open space. Lambeth Borough Council laid out and opened Ufford Street Recreation Ground in 1907. The street is named after John de Ufford, Archbishop-elect of Canterbury, who died in 1349 before he could be formally consecrated to the title. In 2008 the park was restored using Heritage Lottery funding to improve its play and sports facilities, and it was renamed Ufford Street Gardens. Later improvements have taken place since 2017.
The garden was created on the former churchyard of St John, one of the four Waterloo Churches, and built in 1824. The churchyard's conversion to a public garden in 1877 is associated with Octavia Hill, and its early facilities were provided through the MPGA. It has been re-landscaped through the efforts of the Friends of St John's Churchyard working with St Mungo's Putting Down Roots gardening training scheme for homeless people, including a Parterre Garden that was formally opened in December 2006.
Nelson Square Gardens was originally for the use of residents of Nelson Square. In 1903 the owner, Viscount Halifax, gave the site to the LCC and it was laid out as a rectangular playground, with flower bed in the centre and shrub and privet hedge around the perimeter. It opened to the public in February 1904. There was formerly a bandstand and ornamental drinking fountain presented by the MPGA. The garden has 6 mature plane trees but is now mainly laid out as a tarmac playground, alongside which is a small rose garden with ornamental planting.
