Description
Lansdowne Circus was laid out in 1843-50 as part of speculative housing development, largely undertaken by John Snell. Development in this area accelerated after Vauxhall Bridge was constructed. The layout of axial roads around the formal circus, numerous street trees, and detached, semi-detached and terraced housing has little changed since the mid C19th. The central garden enclosure was planted with grass and trees but appears not to have been accessible. Lambeth Borough Council compulsorily purchased the garden in 1951.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Lansdowne Circus; Lansdowne Green |
|---|---|
| Site location | Lansdowne Gardens |
| Postcode | SW8 2EF |
| What3Words | ///quarrel.police.tummy |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Stockwell (Victoria). Bus: 288 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Lansdowne Circus comprises uniform Neo-classical style terraces around a central circular garden. It formed part of speculative housing development, largely undertaken by John Snell on land owned by James Humphries, and was designed to cater particularly for the middle classes. The layout of axial roads around the formal circus, numerous street trees, and detached, semi-detached and terraced houses has little changed since the mid C19th. St Barnabas Church was provided for the new residential area in 1850, now converted to flats as Ekarro House. The whole area was built up by the 1870s, the later houses generally in the Italianate style that had become fashionable. The garden enclosure was planted but appears not to have been accessible to residents of surrounding houses. It was kept locked from 1927, but no occupants had keys. In 1928 it was described as a 'Circular area planted with grass, thick shrubberies and some trees'. Lambeth Borough Council compulsorily purchased the garden from an unknown owner in 1951. Surrounded by listed buildings it is 'one of Lambeth's most attractive enclosures' (Draper) and remains largely grass and trees, with no features or paths, and surrounded by low utilitarian railings.
The nearby Lansdowne Green estate is generally well landscaped with shrubs, trees, pergolas and rosebeds.
The nearby Lansdowne Green estate is generally well landscaped with shrubs, trees, pergolas and rosebeds.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ302769 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.08 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth) |
| Dates | 1843 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 23-51 (odd) and 20-54 (even) Lansdowne Gardens |
| 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 | Lansdowne Gardens |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes - in surrounding area |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Protected London Square. Open Space. 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
Although Larkhall Park opened in 1974, plans for a public open space here dated from around 1943 and it formed part of the County of London Plan to provide improved housing, transport and open spaces for Londoners. The LCC began purchasing land in 1952, and the park's completion was planned in three phases. In 1971 c.5.25 hectares were cleared and responsibility for laying out the park transferred to Lambeth Council, who worked with local tenants to grass over the area. Temporary facilities for recreation were provided by 1973 and development of the new park began in 1974. In 2006 the park underwent major improvement works.
Stockwell Memorial Gardens is a small triangular space surrounding a fine white stone WWI memorial in the form of a clock tower. It was laid out c.1920 when the site at Stockwell Terrace was conveyed to Lambeth Borough Council. In 1928 it is described as having lawns and flower beds and 'very attractive'. Adjacent to it is the circular vents 'rotunda' and access buildings serving the 1940s Deep Underground Shelter which has been decorated with a painted mural. A mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII. The mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.
Albert Square was part of mid-C19th development in the area that was previously market gardens and agricultural land. Built by Islington builder John Glenn, the square was laid out on as grand a scale as in Kensington. The 4-storey houses enclosed a private communal garden provided for the use of residents. Now open to the public, the square is largely grassed and has slightly undulating ground with perimeter trees and modern railings. Mature trees include London plane and holly.