Description
An area of landscaping was laid out at the road junction of London Wall and Moorgate when the first section of the new traffic route through the City was opened in 1959 by the Duchess of Kent following post-war rebuilding. Bounded by low brick walls, the landscaping consisted of shrub planting, an oak tree and a small area of lawn. A sculpture, 'The Gardener', 1972 by Karin Jonzen, commissioned by the Corporation of London was sited here. The area was re-landscaped as part of realignment of the roads and the site now consists of an oval area of grass with a series of gentle undulations. The oak tree remains but the sculpture has been moved to Brewers' Hall Garden.
Practical Information
| Site location | London Wall/Moorgate |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EC2 |
| What3Words | ///punk.sailor.thank |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | City of London |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Moorgate (Hammersmith & City, Circle, Northern, Metropolitan). Rail: Moorgate |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ326815 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | City of London Corporation |
| Site Management | Open Spaces Department |
| Dates | 1959; 2005/6 |
| Designers | Corporation of London |
| 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 | City of London |
| 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 | Strategic View - Consultation Area. City Walkway Network |
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 Worshipful Company of Girdlers has had a Hall with a garden on this site since 1431. Due to the proximity of the Guildhall, Basinghall Street was a favoured location for the Livery Companies. The first Girdlers' Hall was destroyed in 1666 and rebuilt in 1680/81, but this building was destroyed by bombing in 1940. The new Hall re-opened in 1961 with a garden at the rear that contains a mulberry tree grown from a cutting of a tree probably planted in 1750. The garden has lawn surrounded by paving stone paths with perimeter shrubs, a number of tree including fig, and a small fountain with cherubic figure. The Corporation of London owns the public space in front of the Hall. The garden has won many awards, the latest being the Livery Hall Trophy 2010 in the Flowers in the City Campaign organised by the City of London.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The site of Finsbury Circus Garden was once part of Finsbury Manor Estate. A moor existed here until 1527, which was subsequently drained and gravelled walks laid out. Bethlehem Royal Hospital was at the southern end of Moor Field from 1675/6 until 1815, following which the Moorfields estate was developed. Finsbury Circus was enclosed in 1812 and the oval garden laid out in 1815-17 to designs of George Dance the Younger by City Surveyor William Montague. Initially a private garden for the surrounding residents, the garden was acquired in 1900 by the City Corporation for public use. The City's only bowling green was built here in 1925, and the bandstand dates from 1955. During WWII a barrage balloon was anchored on the gardens. The garden was closed 2010-2020 during Crossrail construction works, and will be closed between November 2023 and late 2024 for refurbishment works.
The site of Finsbury Circus Garden was once part of Finsbury Manor Estate. A moor existed here until 1527, which was subsequently drained and gravelled walks laid out. Bethlehem Royal Hospital was at the southern end of Moor Field from 1675/6 until 1815, following which the Moorfields estate was developed. Finsbury Circus was enclosed in 1812 and the oval garden laid out in 1815-17 to designs of George Dance the Younger by City Surveyor William Montague. Initially a private garden for the surrounding residents, the garden was acquired in 1900 by the City Corporation for public use. The City's only bowling green was built here in 1925, and the bandstand dates from 1955. During WWII a barrage balloon was anchored on the gardens. The garden was closed 2010-2020 during Crossrail construction works, and will be closed between November 2023 and late 2024 for refurbishment works.
This and the Barbican were the worst bombed areas in the City in WW II and as a result were substantially rebuilt post-war for both commercial and residential use. This was part of a scheme drawn up in 1954/5 by the Corporation of London and LCC to create a new business district around the London Wall area. There was provision for gardens and open spaces, and fragments of the old Roman City walls and older buildings also remained amidst the new architecture. This included the ruined tower of St Alphage Church, on the site of the C14th priory church of Elsing Spital. To the north, the former churchyard of St Alphage had already been made into a small public garden by 1872. The garden is bounded to the north by a high section of the old Roman Wall and to the west of the main garden is an extension with a lower paved area. These gardens together with the restored tower were re-landscaped and incorporated into London Wall Place, a commercial scheme by Brookfield, with Make architects.
