Description
This private communal garden was provided for residents of Lowndes Square, which was developed from 1836 as part of the Cadogan Estate by Thomas Cubitt and Seth Smith. It was once part of the estate of William Lowndes of Chesham, after whom it is named. The garden has original gate piers but the railings date from the C20th. Within are fine mature plane trees, a peripheral path, shrubs around the edge and a central planting feature.
Practical Information
| Site location | Lowndes Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW1 |
| What3Words | ///ozone.pushy.stops |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, for keyholders only |
| Public Transport | Tube: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly). Bus: C1, 19, 22, 137. |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This is part of the Cadogan Estate developed by Thomas Cubitt and Seth Smith from the 1830s. Having leased land from Lord Grosvenor they drained an area of marshland on the banks of the Westbourne river called the Five Fields, and began to lay out Belgravia. The land of Lowndes Square was once part of the estate of William Lowndes of Chesham, after whom it is named, and had previously been two fields either side of the river. Building of Lowndes Square began in 1836 with the east and north sides built between 1838-49, the west side was begun in 1844; the south side was part of a development by Lewis Cubitt, Thomas's younger brother. The former uniformity of the architecture of the square has disappeared with redevelopment on the north and east sides in the form of mansion blocks. In 1928 described as 'a long narrow enclosure laid out as an ornamental garden with shrubberies and some well-grown trees. Overlooked by dwelling-houses'. They are now surrounded by C20th cast metal railings that are square in section (c.1930).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ279795 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.4009 |
| Site Ownership | Cadogan Estate? |
| Dates | 1836-49 |
| 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 | Hans Town |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Hans Place Garden was provided as an amenity for residents of the surrounding houses when the area was developed by Henry Holland from 1777 onwards for the Cadogan Estate. Hans Place is named after Sir Hans Sloane. At one time within the Manor of Chelsea, land in the area had been purchased by Sloane in 1712; on his death his estate was divided between his two daughters, the eastern part going to Elizabeth, becoming the Cadogan Estate on her marriage to Charles Cadogan. The oval wooded garden is railed with an inner oval of trees and shrubs around a lawn, and contains a variety of tree and shrub species. A memorial to the son of Herbert Spencer is set into the railings facing both into the garden and also onto the adjoining street where there is a drinking fountain.
Hans Place Garden was provided as an amenity for residents of the surrounding houses when the area was developed by Henry Holland from 1777 onwards for the Cadogan Estate. Hans Place is named after Sir Hans Sloane. At one time within the Manor of Chelsea, land in the area had been purchased by Sloane in 1712; on his death his estate was divided between his two daughters, the eastern part going to Elizabeth, becoming the Cadogan Estate on her marriage to Charles Cadogan. The oval wooded garden is railed with an inner oval of trees and shrubs around a lawn, and contains a variety of tree and shrub species. A memorial to the son of Herbert Spencer is set into the railings facing both into the garden and also onto the adjoining street where there is a drinking fountain.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
