Description
Market Road Gardens were laid out c.1895 over the tunnel of the Great Northern Railway, constructed in the 1850s to take the railway to its London terminus at King's Cross. The road's name refers to the Metropolitan Cattle Market, which was built on Copenhagen Fields in 1852. Market Road Gardens, together with Market Road Playground, was acquired by Islington Borough Council in 1900. The garden, which originally had serpentine paths, perimeter trees, drinking fountains and a central feature, was re-landscaped c.1990 but retains many of the C19th London plane trees.
Practical Information
| Site location | Market Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N7 |
| What3Words | ///intend.take.sport |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Islington |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Facilities | adjacent: Hayward and Lumpy Hill Adventure Playgrounds |
| Public Transport | Rail: Caledonian Road & Barnsbury. Tube: Caledonian Road (Piccadilly). Bus: 17, 91, 259, 274, 390 |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Metropolitan Cattle Market was built on Copenhagen Fields in 1852 by the City of London Corporation, which had acquired 75 acres for their new cattle market site. This replaced Smithfield Market as the live meat market, which was by then regarded as a health hazard. Caledonian Park (q.v.) now covers part of the former market north of Market Road.
Prior to the site being landscaped as public gardens, it is marked on the OS 25 inch 2nd edition map (revised 1894) as Plastic Decoration Works. In 1900 Market Road Gardens, together with Market Road Playground (q.v.), was acquired by Islington Borough Council, the cost of acquisition of £8000 paid by the LCC. Both sites were listed in the Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares and are protected under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931. The OS 25 inch 3rd edition map (revised 1913) shows the garden laid out with serpentine paths, perimeter trees, two drinking fountains and a central feature. In c.1990 the hard landscaping in Market Road Gardens was restructured with brick paths and a rose pergola with metal arches in a circular configuration with seating; an area to the south has a circular lawn, in the centre of which is a column surmounted by cut-out shapes of 4 cows, the cow motif reappearing on the gates, referring to the past history of the site. There are many notable C19th London plane trees within the garden, and it is surrounded on all sides by shrubbery.
Immediately adjacent to Market Road Gardens are Hayward and Lumpy Hill Adventure Playgrounds, established here in 1974 and 1975 respectively, on land that was once part of the Cattle Market, at one time used for Bullock Lairs; the playground gates on Market Road are the former gates of the Market.
Prior to the site being landscaped as public gardens, it is marked on the OS 25 inch 2nd edition map (revised 1894) as Plastic Decoration Works. In 1900 Market Road Gardens, together with Market Road Playground (q.v.), was acquired by Islington Borough Council, the cost of acquisition of £8000 paid by the LCC. Both sites were listed in the Report of the Royal Commission on London Squares and are protected under the London Squares Preservation Act 1931. The OS 25 inch 3rd edition map (revised 1913) shows the garden laid out with serpentine paths, perimeter trees, two drinking fountains and a central feature. In c.1990 the hard landscaping in Market Road Gardens was restructured with brick paths and a rose pergola with metal arches in a circular configuration with seating; an area to the south has a circular lawn, in the centre of which is a column surmounted by cut-out shapes of 4 cows, the cow motif reappearing on the gates, referring to the past history of the site. There are many notable C19th London plane trees within the garden, and it is surrounded on all sides by shrubbery.
Immediately adjacent to Market Road Gardens are Hayward and Lumpy Hill Adventure Playgrounds, established here in 1974 and 1975 respectively, on land that was once part of the Cattle Market, at one time used for Bullock Lairs; the playground gates on Market Road are the former gates of the Market.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ304847 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.1 |
| Site Ownership | LB Islington |
| Site Management | Greenspace |
| Dates | c.1895 |
| 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 | Islington |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Strategic/Local View corridor |
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
Caledonian Park was formed upon part of the former Copenhagen Fields that between 1852 and 1939 were the site of the Metropolitan Cattle Market. Prior to this they were open fields and a popular rural resort until the early C19th where sports such as cricket were played. The market closed at the outbreak of WWII and never re-opened. The area was eventually cleared, and the public park was laid out and opened in 1958. In the 1960s the park was planted with ornamental gardens and the early 1980s saw many trees planted.
Market Road Pitches originated as a playground provided for public recreation in 1900, one of two sites acquired by Islington Borough Council with funding from the LCC. At that time the 2.7 acre site was bounded by Market Road on the north, on the south by the rear of premises on Brewery Road, on the east by the Horse Repository Market Road and on the west by York Road. In 1938 funding was awarded from King George V Fields Trust and the site, laid out with football pitches, is now named Market Road Pitches. The gate piers on Market Road are adorned with the requisite stone plaques acknowledging this funding. The area is part of the wider sports facilities built over the Metropolitan Cattle Market land south of Market Road, including Islington Tennis Centre and Gym.
Paradise Park is popular with children and families owing to its football pitch, RSPB sparrow meadow, community cafe, and playground, which is named after Martin Luther King. It also has free to use outdoor gym equipment, chess tables and the Mary Tealby Peace Garden. The history of Paradise Park began with a temporary adventure playground set up in 1968 on a patch of derelict land that the GLC granted parents permission to use for a summer play scheme. Funding was secured from Christian Aid and the Martin Luther King Foundation, whose grant came with the proviso that the playground should be named after Martin Luther King. The new playground was an immediate success and in September 1968 the GLC agreed to a permanent playground in the corner of the site and announced plans to create a new park, Paradise Park, on the rest of the site.
