Description
Leyton Square was opened to the public in 1901, after Camberwell Borough Council purchased the land in 1899 for £3,000, of which £1,500 was provided by the LCC, plus £683 for half the paving expenses. The garden has since been reconfigured, and is now within a more recent housing estate. Laid out on slightly undulating ground, it is largely laid to grass with recreation facilities, paths and seating. There are scattered trees including lines of older plane trees, presumably marking the original perimeter.
Practical Information
| Site location | Peckham Park Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SE15 |
| What3Words | ///scar.offers.over |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Southwark |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | playground, adventure playground, One o'clock Club |
| Public Transport | Rail: Peckham Rye then bus. Bus: 78, 381 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Leyton Square was flanked on three sides by the roadway and on the south side overlooked by adjoining back gardens. It was preserved under the London Squares and Enclosures (Preservation) Act of 1906 and the London Squares Preservation Act of 1931. Since reconfigured, and now within a more recent housing estate, the park has slightly undulating ground, and is largely laid to grass with recreation facilities, paths and seating. There are scattered trees including lines of older plane trees, presumably marking the original perimeter. A tiled community mural with the words 'Canal Bridge Green Fayre' is located on a gable wall overlooking the park. In the garden is a drinking fountain provided at the expense of John Passmore Edwards, who also provided fountains at Christchurch Blackfriars (q.v.), Hoxton Square (q.v.) and Duncan Terrace, Islington.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ342775 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.036 |
| Site Ownership | LB Southwark |
| Site Management | Parks |
| Dates | 1899 |
| 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 | Southwark |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Playground, Tier Two |
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 Licensed Victuallers Asylum opened in 1833, initially designed to provide 43 homes for retired victuallers, but over the next decades demand for accommodation was such that it expanded considerably, becoming the largest almshouse complex in London. The first range is on 3 sides of a quadrangle overlooking a large expanse of garden, with railings to the road. By the 1870s there were 205 residents in 176 units. The Society had been incorporated by Royal Charter in 1843 and had ongoing connections with royalty, the Prince of Wales its first patron. In 1959 the Society moved to new Almshouses in Denham and in 1960 Camberwell Borough Council acquired the property for council housing. It was renamed Caroline Gardens after a former resident.
Avondale Square was situated to the north of St Philip's Church, which dated from 1875 and was bombed in WWII. The land, which was owned by the Bridge House Estates, was redeveloped by the Corporation of London, who had begun to build housing here from 1920 and continued after WWII. Avondale Square Estate was opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 26 October 1962. The estate was landscaped with substantial areas of informal green space with paths running through it, more formally planted areas and now has 3 play areas.
Paterson Park was created on a bomb site that had formerly been railway sidings, and was opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee in 1953. It was named in memory of the prominent prison reformer, Sir Alexander Henry Paterson. The park was extended in 1981 when the Bricklayers' Arms goods station was closed, and a nature reserve accessible from Paterson Park was created the other side of the old railway bridge. In 2007 improvements were undertaken in the park, and new facilities included a children's play area, allotments and a multi-use games area.