Description
Garden square developed in the 1820s on former fields. Originally for the benefit of residents of the surrounding terraces, the central garden was purchased by the London County Council and opened to the public in 1904. It was laid out as an asphalt playground and has a number of mature plane trees.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Bedford Square |
|---|---|
| Site location | Ford Square |
| Postcode | E1 |
| What3Words | ///caves.boost.boots |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | playground |
| Public Transport | London Overground/Tube (District/Hammersmith & City): Whitechapel |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Formerly called Bedford Square and companion square to Sidney Square (q.v.), Ford Square was part of the 1820s housing development on former fields of the Hawkins Estate. The west side of the square retains the original early C19th three-storey terraces, with stuccoed terraces of a later date on the north and south of the square. Originally for the benefit of residents of surrounding houses, the central gardens in both Ford Square and Sidney Square were purchased by the LCC under the provisions of the Open Spaces Act of 1877. The total cost was £13,231, less a contribution of £3,000 from the vendor, with LCC contributing £8,731 and Stepney Borough Council £1,500. The cost of adapting the two gardens was £685. Ford Square Gardens opened to the public in May 1904. In 1928 the garden was described as 'A rectangular area laid out as an asphalt playground. Overlooked by dwelling-houses and a few shops. Densely developed neighbourhood.' The garden square has many notable planes but has been used primarily as sports pitch. Recently refurbished, replanted and given new railings.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ349815 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.1684 |
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | Early C19th; 1904 |
| Listed Structures | local list: 16-19 and 29-33 Ford Square |
| 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 | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Ford Square Sidney Square |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected under London Squares Preservation Act of 1931 |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Sidney Square was developed in the 1820s on former fields. Originally for the benefit of residents of the surrounding terraces, the central garden was purchased by the London County Council and opened to the public in 1904.
Together with Stepney Green Gardens and Stepney Green Park, Mile End Waste is a remnant of Mile End Green, later called Stepney Green. It was the largest of several commons in the Manor of Stepney, which extended from St Dunstan's Church to Whitechapel, and was the site of historic events, including the Peasants Revolt. In 1910-12 Stepney Borough Council planted 2 long rows of plane trees on a strip of land along Mile End Road, laid out roadside gardens and erected commemorative statues for Edward VII and William Booth. In 1865 Booth had held services in the open air on Mile End Waste, before processing to a second site on the old Quaker Burial Ground, now part of Vallance Recreation Ground.
Trinity Hospital or Almshouses were built in 1695 by the Corporation of Trinity House to house retired master mariners or their widows. The land was donated by Captain Henry Mudd of Ratcliffe. The almshouses formed two rows either side of a small oblong green, with a central chapel. The path layout remains little changed, although the green was once enclosed by a wooden palisade fence and there are now two rows of dwarf trees. The almshouses were purchased by the LCC in 1954 then transferred to Stepney Borough Council for rented accommodation and renamed Trinity Green.
