Description
This was once part of the glebe lands that had belonged to the vicars of Kensington from at least 1260. In 1853 Thomas Robinson, who owned Sheffield House and leased land in the Glebe, negotiated a new lease with the church to develop both areas of land for housing. The terrace of Inverness Gardens is unusual in having its own private roadway behind a small communal garden. Ownership of the garden remained with the Vicar of St Mary Abbots and successors.
Practical Information
| Site location | 1-8 Inverness Gardens/Vicarage Gate |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W8 |
| What3Words | ///harder.dozed.translated |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, but visible from roadway |
| Public Transport | Tube: High Street Kensington (District, Circle), Notting Hill Gate (Central) |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Inverness Gardens was built on Glebe lands belonging to the vicars of Kensington from at least 1260, some 13 acres between Palace Gardens Terrace, Strathmore Gardens and Vicarage Gate. In 1853, Thomas Robinson, who owned Sheffield House and also leased land in the Glebe, negotiated a new lease with the vicar of St Mary Abbots, Archdeacon Sinclair, in order to develop both areas of land. The agreement reached in April 1854 gave him a 99-year lease to build, but house elevations were to be approved by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners' architect, although this does not appear to have taken place until a more formal agreement was set up in 1860. The agreement had reserved a space for a permanent church in Vicarage Gate to replace the temporary church of St Paul's that had been erected in the vicarage gardens, but this did not in the end materialise. The overall layout was likely to have been by architect David Brandon, but a number of architects were responsible for the various properties.
Inverness Gardens was designed by William Lloyd Edwards, who used classical ornamentation to the door cases, and the terrace is unusual in having its own private roadway within stuccoed walls behind a small communal garden. In 1928, the owner of this strip of garden was the Vicar of St Mary Abbots and successors, and the lessees of Nos. 1-8 Inverness Gardens (leases expiring in 1953) were entitled to use it, sharing the cost of maintenance. The Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares states that 'in the event of the lessees omitting to have the necessary work done, the Vicar may, as he thinks fit, cause it to be done and recover one-eighth part of the cost from each lessee.' At that time it is described as 'a narrow enclosure forming, with the private roadway, a common frontage to a number of dwelling-houses.'
Inverness Gardens was designed by William Lloyd Edwards, who used classical ornamentation to the door cases, and the terrace is unusual in having its own private roadway within stuccoed walls behind a small communal garden. In 1928, the owner of this strip of garden was the Vicar of St Mary Abbots and successors, and the lessees of Nos. 1-8 Inverness Gardens (leases expiring in 1953) were entitled to use it, sharing the cost of maintenance. The Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares states that 'in the event of the lessees omitting to have the necessary work done, the Vicar may, as he thinks fit, cause it to be done and recover one-eighth part of the cost from each lessee.' At that time it is described as 'a narrow enclosure forming, with the private roadway, a common frontage to a number of dwelling-houses.'
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ255800 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0309 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1850s/60s |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Kensington Palace |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Article 4 Direction |
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.
Nearby parks and gardens
The public gardens are on the former churchyard of St Mary Abbots, Kensington Parish Church. There has been a church here since Norman times. St Mary's Church was rebuilt in the early C18th and its churchyard extended in 1763, but the current church dates from 1868. The former churchyard opened as a public garden in 1953, when the brick pergolas were constructed; a number of tombstones remain. The garden has roses, floral displays, grass and mature trees.
The public gardens were created on former wasteland in 1991 to commemorate Alec Clifton-Taylor, President of The Kensington Society (1978-85). The idea for the memorial arose from a friend of Clifton-Taylor requesting where he might plant a rose garden in his memory. A sundial by Mr Simmons and memorial plaque by Philip Murdin, both of the English Heritage Stone Carvers Studio, were given by the Kensington Society. The garden is adjacent to St Mary Abbots Gardens, the former churchyard of Kensington Parish Church.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Roof Gardens, among the earliest in England, were built for the new Derry and Toms Department Store, which opened in 1933. The Gardens were conceived by Vice-President of Barkers Trevor Bowen, who employed landscape architect Ralph Handcock to realise his vision and comprised 3 gardens from the outset: Spanish Garden, English Woodland Garden and Tudor Courtyard. Opened in May 1938 by the Earl of Athlone, the gardens became a popular attraction. Owned by Biba in the 1970s, and by Richard Branson since 1981, the Gardens becoming part of Virgin Limited Edition and hosted a members' club, a private function venue and, since 2001, the Babylon Restaurant on the 7th floor, which overlooks the gardens. They were extensively replanted in 2008/9 and remained home to exotic wildfowl including pink flamingos. The Spanish Garden was planted in the style of the 1950s, while the Tudor Courtyard was based on the Biba ethos and planting from the 1970s. The English Woodland was managed as a C21st environmental and wildlife garden. In 2018 the Roof Gardens closed when Virgin gave up their lease.
The Roof Gardens, among the earliest in England, were built for the new Derry and Toms Department Store, which opened in 1933. The Gardens were conceived by Vice-President of Barkers Trevor Bowen, who employed landscape architect Ralph Handcock to realise his vision and comprised 3 gardens from the outset: Spanish Garden, English Woodland Garden and Tudor Courtyard. Opened in May 1938 by the Earl of Athlone, the gardens became a popular attraction. Owned by Biba in the 1970s, and by Richard Branson since 1981, the Gardens becoming part of Virgin Limited Edition and hosted a members' club, a private function venue and, since 2001, the Babylon Restaurant on the 7th floor, which overlooks the gardens. They were extensively replanted in 2008/9 and remained home to exotic wildfowl including pink flamingos. The Spanish Garden was planted in the style of the 1950s, while the Tudor Courtyard was based on the Biba ethos and planting from the 1970s. The English Woodland was managed as a C21st environmental and wildlife garden. In 2018 the Roof Gardens closed when Virgin gave up their lease.