Description
The private communal gardens were provided for residents of surrounding houses of Lexham Gardens, which were gradually built from the 1870s, the garden probably laid out in 1869. The gardens have the distinction of being the first London square to be offered for sale in 1987 for underground rights (the opposite of air rights). The garden was refurbished in 1990 and among the facilities are a children's play area and ponds with fountains.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lexham Gardens |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W8 5JA |
| What3Words | ///homes.these.deny |
| 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 | children's play area |
| Public Transport | Tube: Earl's Court (District, Piccadilly), Gloucester Road (District, Circle, Piccadilly). Bus: 74 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Lexham Gardens properties were built gradually from the 1870s, the garden probably laid out in 1869. In 1928 it was owned by Lord Iveagh and available for use by lessees of houses that abutted it, who paid garden rents under their leases (which were due to expire in 1970-72). Maintenance was by the ground landlord and the Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares pointed out that 'the garden rents do not fully cover the present day expenses of maintenance'. At that time the garden was described as a 'narrow rectangular area laid out with lawns and flower-beds. Trees and small shrubs around the border'. The gardens have the distinction of being the first London square to be offered for sale in 1987 for underground rights (the opposite of air rights). The garden was refurbished in 1990 and has won the All-London Garden Square Best Garden a number of times and the Brighter Kensington & Chelsea Prize at least 8 times. Within the garden is a small pavilion, seats and arbours, and ornamental planting. Protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ255789 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.2157 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Site Management | Lexham Gardens Garden Committee |
| Dates | 1870 |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Lexham Gardens |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| 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
Kensington Green is a new complex built in 1989-91 by architects Norman and Dawbarn, designed in neo-Victorian Italianate style with terraces, a medical centre and two nursing homes set within landscaping. It is built on the site of St Mary Abbots Hospital, which developed around the workhouse of 1848. Some of the gardens that were part of the workhouse survive, as well as old buildings such as Stone Hall and the gate piers on Marloes Road. Stone Hall was the male wing of the workhouse and designed by Thomas Allom.
Emperor's Gate was built on land once part of the Edwardes Estate owned by Lord Kensington, which had been sold when the railway was constructed here in the 1860s. Surplus to railway requirements, it was sold and developed for housing in 1872-5. The terraces overlook the small railed garden, which has grass, seating and a number of trees, including horse chestnut.
Cornwall Gardens is an elongated garden square with three private communal garden enclosures. It was developed by Thomas and John Broadwood, whose family owned the land, and became famous as piano makers. The gardens have magnificent plane trees dating from the 1870s and are overlooked by Italianate terraces probably designed by the Broadwood estate surveyor Thomas Cundy III. The central garden has the original arched cast-iron entrance gates but the perimeter railings were removed during WWII, and the gardens are bounded by privet hedges.