Description
The houses of Kirkstall Gardens were built in 1931 by Messrs Tysoe and Harris, who offered the central site as open space to Wandsworth Borough Council and it was conveyed to them in 1932. Kirkstall Gardens remains surrounded by housing and consists of a railed area with lawn, some small ornamental trees and shrubs.
Practical Information
| Site location | Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW2 4HR |
| What3Words | ///range.punch.bond |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | none |
| Public Transport | Rail: Streatham Hill |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
From at least the 1840s, the area of land between Streatham Hill Road and New Park Road was used as Nursery, marked as such on the OS maps for 1840 and 1870. The 6 ins to the mile OS Edition of 1894-6 (London Sheet XI SW) shows that Kirkstall Road had been laid out by this time, with some housing built along the roadway, although the land to the north that later became Kirkstall Gardens remained open land. The map also shows a small pond and woodland here. The houses of Kirkstall Gardens were built in 1931 by Messrs Tysoe and Harris, who offered Wandsworth Borough Council the central area as open space, which was conveyed to them in 1932. In 1965 this area came within LB Lambeth following borough boundary changes.
Kirkstall Gardens remains surrounded by housing, a railed area with lawn, small ornamental trees and shrubs.
Kirkstall Gardens remains surrounded by housing, a railed area with lawn, small ornamental trees and shrubs.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ300732 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.12 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth) |
| Dates | 1932 |
| 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 | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| 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
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Nearby parks and gardens
Pullman Court was built by William Bernstein aimed at young professionals, and designed by architect Frederick Gibberd, a striking modern estate. Originally to be called Relay House, the new development became Pullman Court, possibly to make the connection with what had become a by-word for high speed travel. Many of the existing trees on the site were retained and the blocks were set in landscaped grounds. Among other amenities were roof gardens, an open-air swimming pool, restaurant and social club.
This triangular site was originally a communal garden at the centre of a private development of houses erected in the 1890s. By 1928 it was owned by Holmewood Gardens Limited who managed the garden out of a rent of 10s per annum paid by each house on the estate. It originally fell within LB Wandsworth prior to borough boundary changes. In the 1960s the garden was conveyed to LB Lambeth under the 1906 Open Spaces Act. Restoration works in 1988 included new railings and the intervening roadway was closed off. The garden is divided into two sections either side of a public pathway. Both areas are grassed with a playground in the north area; within the garden are a few mature plane trees and some ornamental species.
Dumbarton Court was built in 1936-39 for a property developer by W Vernon Coupland; the lease was purchased by Lambeth Borough Council in 1959. The planting consists of a small grassed area with trees and seating in front of block of flats to Brixton Hill.