Description
Kennington Green came into being as a result of the opening of Westminster Bridge in 1750. The land was left as waste land and was subsequently maintained by the Duchy of Cornwall as Lord of the Manor. In 1928 it was described as a 'very attractive [. . . ] triangular area maintained as a lawn with trees around the border'. The MPGA acquired the site from the Duchy for £5 and it was transferred to Lambeth Borough Council in 1938. It was re-landscaped for the Festival of Britain in 1951, when it was enclosed with a dwarf brick wall and iron railings, planted with crab apple trees and provided with seating. It was re-landscaped following closure during a major Transport for London scheme in 2015-2022.
Practical Information
| Site location | Kennington Road, Kennington |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE11 4DB |
| What3Words | ///cherry.swing.hooked |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | none |
| Public Transport | Tube: Kennington, Oval (Northern). Bus: 159, 59, 3, 133, 155. |
| Research Updated | 17 July 2023 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Kennington Green originally came into being as a result of the opening of Westminster Bridge in 1750, which led to the construction of Kennington Road following an Act of Parliament of 1751. The ensuing increase in traffic through the old Manor of Kennington brought access to Westminster and the City of London and led to the gradual development of the old Manor as a desirable place of country residence. Until then the Manor was largely meadowland and pasture. The triangular site known as Kennington Green was left as waste land but was subsequently maintained by the Duchy of Cornwall as Lord of the Manor. In 1928 it was described as 'very attractive [. . . ] triangular area maintained as a lawn with trees around the border'. The MPGA acquired the site from the Duchy for £5 and it was transferred to Lambeth Borough Council in 1938. It was re-landscaped for the Festival of Britain in 1951, when it was enclosed with a dwarf brick wall and iron railings, planted with crab apple trees and provided with seating, with a central paved pathway between the two enclosed areas of grass.
In 2015 Kennington Green was closed behind hoardings and became a construction site during a period of major works undertaken by Transport for London for the London Underground (Northern line Extension). This scheme extended the Charing Cross Branch of the Northern Line from Kennington to a new station at Battersea Power Station, with an intermediate station at Nine Elms. The Green was eventually re-opened in 2022, re-landscaped as a simple, slightly mounded triangular space with a few trees within a stone surround. .
In 2015 Kennington Green was closed behind hoardings and became a construction site during a period of major works undertaken by Transport for London for the London Underground (Northern line Extension). This scheme extended the Charing Cross Branch of the Northern Line from Kennington to a new station at Battersea Power Station, with an intermediate station at Nine Elms. The Green was eventually re-opened in 2022, re-landscaped as a simple, slightly mounded triangular space with a few trees within a stone surround. .
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ312780 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.09 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth) |
| Dates | c.1750; 1951 |
| Listed Structures | LBII* (2 properties) and LBII: surrounding buildings |
| 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 | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Kennington |
| 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
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
Cleaver Square was developed from 1789, originally called Prince's Square but re-named by the LCC in 1937 after the C18th owner of the land, Mary Cleaver. The central garden was originally laid out with grass, and it was later used as a nursery garden. New owners in 1924 wishing to build over the garden, the only way to preserve it as open space was to purchase it under the 1906 Open Spaces Act. As a result Lambeth Borough Council purchased the garden and laid it out as a playground, with perimeter trees planted subsequently. The garden was restored in c.2000 to form an open tree lined area with gravel, cobbles and numerous seats.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Kennington Park was created when part of Kennington Common was enclosed by Act of Parliament in 1852. It opened to the public in 1854, laid out with a central area of lawns enclosed by tree-lined paths, with trees and shrubs on most boundaries, and sunken gardens with massed bedding. Further land was acquired in 1888 and 1921 as a result of which an enclosed Old English Garden was laid out, as well as a swimming pool with extensive playground. Other facilities provided over the years included a children's gymnasium, bandstand, refreshment house, drinking fountains and sports facilities. In the 1970s further land was added to the south-east.
Kennington Park was created when part of Kennington Common was enclosed by Act of Parliament in 1852. It opened to the public in 1854, laid out with a central area of lawns enclosed by tree-lined paths, with trees and shrubs on most boundaries, and sunken gardens with massed bedding. Further land was acquired in 1888 and 1921 as a result of which an enclosed Old English Garden was laid out, as well as a swimming pool with extensive playground. Other facilities provided over the years included a children's gymnasium, bandstand, refreshment house, drinking fountains and sports facilities. In the 1970s further land was added to the south-east.
Hanover Gardens was developed in c.1850 by the Islington builder, John Glenn, who also developed Albert Square in Lambeth. This scheme, however, was far more modest in its proportions. The terraced houses enclose a pleasant green area planted with trees and grass. The garden was initially maintained by covenants paid by the lessees but by 1928 the owner, a Miss M A V Bate, maintained it at her own cost, employing a gardener. At that time it was described as 'a small enclosure at the end of a cul-de-sac. Rough grass with a few trees. Overlooked by dwelling-houses'.