Description
Little Venice Gardens are for the private use of residents of the houses backing onto this secluded private space. It was laid out in the 1840s on the Pond Fields belonging to the Bishop of London, residential development around the basin of the Grand Union Canal having begun in the 1830s. The garden has mature trees, managed woodland, expanses of lawns and herbaceous borders, and rose beds with box hedging. Trees include London plane, lime and horse chestnut. Facilities for the residents include a tennis court, open to members of Little Venice Tennis Club, and a children's playground.
Practical Information
| Site location | off Randolph Road, Maida Vale |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W9 |
| What3Words | ///land.line.buyers |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Private, for keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Warwick Avenue. Bus: 6, 46, 187, 414 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2014 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In recent years there has been significant replanting in Little Venice Gardens, including a herb garden.The Garden Committee has significantly changed the woodland area by clearing it, lifting the canopy to allow in more light, planting a great many woodland plants, lifting the York stone path, and replacing it with wood chip bark, which is more sympathetic. Also, all the beds around the square have had the Victorian rope edging repaired or restored, which has made a significant difference.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ262821 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Private |
| Site Management | Little Venice Gardens Committee |
| Dates | 1840s |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Maida Vale |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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
Rembrandt Gardens overlook the Regent's Canal on the eastern side of the basin at Little Venice by Browning's Pool, where it joins the Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm. Created here in the 1950s these ornamental gardens were originally called Warwick Avenue Gardens. In 1975 5000 tulips and 500 hyacinths were donated to mark the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the City of Amsterdam and the gardens were renamed Rembrandt Gardens. There are numerous ornamental beds, shrubs, and a low wall along towpath. During 2006 the gardens underwent a major upgrade of its infrastructure and horticultural features.
The Triangle Garden is a communal gardens in the triangle formed by Randolph Crescent, Clifton Gardens and Randolph Avenue. Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. The white stucco houses date from the 1860s and the peaceful garden has formal and informal beds and a central island with London plane trees that are over 100 years old.
The Crescent Garden is a communal garden behind Randolph Crescent, Warrington Crescent and Randolph Avenue. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing had communal gardens for the use of the occupiers. Here the surrounding houses are mainly stuccoed buildings of c.1865, although some were destroyed by WWI bombing, enemy aircraft apparently mistaking the canals in the area for the Thames. Until c.1980 this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees, whose plans to convert the garden into a communal car park were defeated by local residents. The Crescent Garden has lawns, fine trees, island beds including a Princess Diana Memorial bed, pergola, obelisk and children's play area. There are many mature trees, chiefly London plane.