Description
King Square was originally laid out in 1822-25 on land belonging to St Bartholomew's Hospital, with the church of St Barnabas built on the east side. The church was damaged during WWII but was rebuilt and re-opened in 1956, later renamed St Clement's Church. By the 1950s the area was run-down and a new housing estate was planned. The King Square Estate was built for Finsbury Borough Council between 1959-65 and the garden square was re-landscaped, remaining public open space surrounded by the new estate. The tallest tower overlooks the park on the west side. Part of the garden is paved and the remainder has grass, flowerbeds, shrubs and trees.
Practical Information
| Site location | King Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EC1V 8DB |
| What3Words | ///bind.ridge.dance |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Facilities | Children's playground, sand pit, water play feature |
| Public Transport | Tube: Barbican (Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan). Old Street, Angel (Northern) then bus. Bus: 4, 43, 56, 205, 214, 394 |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Barnabas Church was designed by Thomas Hardwick and built in 1824-26 to provide a new parish church for the growing population. The garden, leased by land-owners St Bartholomew's Hospital to Finsbury Borough Council, was open to the public and in 1928 is described as 'attractively laid out as an ornamental garden with lawns and flower beds' with part occupied by a hard tennis court. The church was damaged during WWII and rebuilt by Norman Haines, re-opening in 1956, with an C18th pulpit from St Marylebone Chapel. St Barnabas was later amalgamated with two other churches: St Matthew, built by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and St Clement by William Butterfield, both of which were demolished. Between 1959-65 King Square Estate was built for Finsbury Borough Council, designed by Emberton, C L Franck (formerly assistant to Lubetkin and who built Spa Green Estate) and Tardrew, the church on the east side all that remained of the former housing. The square remained as public open space surrounded by the new estate, which was built of precast concrete units. The tallest tower was completed in 1965 overlooking the park on the west side, with a big arch at ground level. To the north of the park are 6-storey blocks.
King Square Gardens has a central playground and covered passageway; part is paved, the rest is grass with flower beds and shrubs. Trees within the park include lime, horse chestnut and ornamental cherry. In 2011 a new park building was completed and officially opened on 19 September by the Mayor of Islington and the Leader of the Council, Catherine West. Among the new facilities are children's toilets, activity room, park keeper's office, covered shelter and events area. Following this, over £100,000 has now been raised for play improvements in the park.
King Square Gardens has a central playground and covered passageway; part is paved, the rest is grass with flower beds and shrubs. Trees within the park include lime, horse chestnut and ornamental cherry. In 2011 a new park building was completed and officially opened on 19 September by the Mayor of Islington and the Leader of the Council, Catherine West. Among the new facilities are children's toilets, activity room, park keeper's office, covered shelter and events area. Following this, over £100,000 has now been raised for play improvements in the park.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ319827 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.18 |
| Site Ownership | LB Islington |
| Site Management | Greenspace |
| Dates | 1822-25; 1960s |
| Listed Structures | LBII: St Clement with St Barnabas & St Matthew 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 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| 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
The site is a former burial ground of St Bartholomew's Hospital, which was used for the burial of unclaimed bodies. It was located east of Mssrs Sewards Dye House. After it closed for burial the site was let as a carter's yard before being laid out as a public playground by the MPGA in 1891, which was maintained by St Luke's Vestry. It is now tarmaced and used as a playground by Dallington School, bounded by a rendered wall to Seward Street with railings above, gate piers and a number of plane trees. The site has been identified within the Bunhill and Clerkenwell Urban Design Study as being potentially suitable for public open space.
Until c.1805 the site was used as a 'Greenyard', a pound for stray animals. The Northampton Estate was developed as a residential area around the Manor House, which was later demolished in 1896. The district later became overcrowded as London expanded and many houses in the area became workshops and tenements. Northampton Institute was built as a Working Man's College in 1896-98 and later became a polytechnic and then City University in 1966. Only the south-east and south-west sides of Northampton Square still have the original buildings, with a few early C19th houses surrounding the railed central garden, although much bomb damage occurred. The gardens were opened to the public in July 1885 with assistance from MPGA, the layout by Fanny Wilkinson.
This small triangular site known as St John's Island Site was donated for public use by deed gift in 1816, its maintenance later becoming the responsibility of Finsbury Borough Council. At one time enclosed by railings, by 1928 it was 'an asphalt area with a few trees'. Today there are mature plane trees, shrubs and a number of circular raised beds surrounded by low stone walls that incorporate seating.
