Description
The land here was formerly part of Highgate Green, the old village green. In 1844 the New River Company purchased land then being used for nursery gardens, also the site of one of the three village ponds and built Highgate Service Reservoir here in 1846. This provided water to houses in Highgate for the first time. Today the reservoir is covered and the site is largely grassland, but still has the small circular conduit house built to service the reservoir. Two stretches of the original cast iron railings remain around the reservoir along Highgate West Hill and The Grove. Species of birch have been planted on the reservoir roof by Thames Water, who continue to be responsible for the site.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Highgate Service Reservoir; Highgate Green |
|---|---|
| Site location | The Grove/Highgate West Hill |
| Postcode | N6 |
| What3Words | ///error.copies.diary |
| Type of Site | Private Open Land |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, but visible |
| Public Transport | Tube: Highgate, Archway (Northern) then bus. Bus: 143, 210, 271, 214. |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The land here was formerly part of Highgate Green, the old village green. In 1844 the New River Company purchased land then being used for nursery gardens, also the site of one of the three village ponds and built Highgate Service Reservoir here in 1846. This provided water to houses in Highgate for the first time. A small circular brick pavilion was built to service the reservoir. The New River Company was compulsorily purchased along with the 8 other private water companies serving greater London when the Metropolitan Water Board was founded in 1903. The Board was itself abolished in 1974 and transferred to the Thames Water Authority, now Thames Water. Today the reservoir is covered and the site is largely grassland, but still has the pavilion and two stretches of the original cast iron railings remain around the reservoir along Highgate West Hill and The Grove. These have spearhead finials set into a moulded cast-iron kerb on a brick plinth with large lotus flower terminals at intervals. The southernmost section of railing around the reservoir was replaced by wooden railings in the early 1990s. Thames Water has recently (2007) undertaken landscaping works, planting birch species on the reservoir roof and refurbishing the railings.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ282874 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.513 |
| Site Ownership | Thames Water |
| Site Management | Thames Water |
| Dates | 1846 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Conduit House and Railings to Water Reservoir. |
| 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 | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Highgate |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Special Character: Hampstead & Highgate Ridge |
| Other LA Designation | Private Open Space |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Pond Square today is a triangular tree-shaded open space with pathways running across it, three raised areas largely grassed, and in one corner a small toilet block within shrubbery. The highest point in Camden, this was the old centre of Highgate Village and once had two large ponds that provided drinking water to the village. The freehold was conveyed to St Pancras Vestry in 1884 and in 1886 the ponds were drained in order to create a public space, which opened in the same year. The garden is overlooked by terraced houses, several dating from C18th and C19th, and by the Highbury Literary and Scientific Institute and Emanuel Church.
Highgate School was founded as a grammar school by Sir Roger Cholmeley in 1565 through a Charter of Queen Elizabeth I. It later became a public school and expanded in the mid C19th. In 1865-67 the Gothic school buildings were built in Highgate Village, of which the hall and chapel survive, the latter built on the site of an earlier chapel at ease attached to the grammar school. The adjacent burial ground was used by Anglicans in Highgate before St Michael's Church was built in South Grove.
The Roman Catholic church of St Joseph was established at Highgate in 1858, the current church replacing the first church of 1859-61, to which St Joseph's Retreat was added in 1874-5 for the Fathers of the church. Terraced gardens were laid out below the Retreat, overlooked by the tall statue of St Joseph. The garden contains notable horse chestnut, oak and plane trees and remnants of terraces and steps.