Description
Iverna Court Garden was first developed and laid out in 1894 prior to which the land here was used for gardens. Iverna Court, an Edwardian mansion block, was built in 1901 and overlooks the small central garden. Seven mature plane trees have long surrounded the garden, and a layout of 1973 had a formal ornamental garden enclosed by low walls. In 2004 the garden was completely re-landscaped and now has railings, a water feature, paved seating area, a long oak pergola with scented climbers over a wide path suitable for playing boules, and a raised central lawn. Adjacent is the Armenian church of St Sarkis built by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian in 1922, which has a paved garden with a few trees including a large plane.
Practical Information
| Site location | Iverna Gardens/Iverna Court |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W8 6TY |
| What3Words | ///joke.seat.dinner |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for keyholders only |
| Facilities | games table with integral seating and inset chequered top |
| Public Transport | Tube: High Street Kensington (Circle, District). Bus: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 328, C1, 52, 70 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Iverna Court Garden was laid out in 1894 prior to which the land was gardens. The imposing red-brick Edwardian mansion block, Iverna Court, was built in 1901 and surrounds the small garden that was planted by the Garden Committee; a previous layout of 1973 consisted of border of low walls within which was a formal ornamental garden with a central circular raised bed and four raised beds, seating within niches, and two entrance gates. Seven mature plane trees have long surrounded the garden. In 2004 the garden was completed re-landscaped with new railings erected the previous year; it now has a water feature, paved seating area, long oak pergola with scented climbers over a wide path suitable for playing boules, raised central lawn; automatic watering systems and garden lighting were also included as part of the new design.
Adjacent is the Armenian church of St Sarkis, which was built by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian in 1922 'to the everlasting and pious memory of his beloved parents Mahtesi Sarkis and Dirouhi Gulbenkian'. The church is surrounded by a paved garden with a few trees including a large plane tree.
Adjacent is the Armenian church of St Sarkis, which was built by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian in 1922 'to the everlasting and pious memory of his beloved parents Mahtesi Sarkis and Dirouhi Gulbenkian'. The church is surrounded by a paved garden with a few trees including a large plane tree.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ254794 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0283 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Site Management | Garden Committee |
| Dates | early C20th; 1970s; 2004 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: St Sarkis Church |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Edwardes Square, Scarsdale and Abingdon |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| 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.
Nearby parks and gardens
* 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.
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.
Grounds of the Maria Assumpta Centre, built on the site of two former bishops' palaces, where the earliest plan of a garden dates from 1766. In 1859 the Sisters of the Assumption were invited by Cardinal Wiseman to open a house of Prayer at Kensington Square. They established a girls boarding school there in 1865, adding the Elementary School in 1870 and the Chapel in 1870/1. Other buildings were added over the years with different functions including a domestic training centre for young women, the first Montessori school, a primary school and a teacher training college. In 1978 the Maria Assumpta Centre was formed, providing educational and pastoral facilities. The garden has a variety of trees including mulberry, plane and fruit trees, and a Lourdes-style grotto.