Description
Norfolk Square was laid out after 1842 on the site of the former Upper South Reservoir of the Grand Junction Canal Company, possibly to the design of George Gutch. The garden was originally provided for the private use of inhabitants of the Square. The area later became invaded by minor hotels, and a block of flats replaced a church at the north end of the square. The garden became dilapidated and in 1989 was acquired by Westminster City Council through compulsory purchase. It was completely re-landscaped with new paths, shrub planting and railings, and opened to the public in autumn 1990.
Practical Information
| Site location | Norfolk Square, Paddington |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W2 1RU |
| What3Words | ///drift.traps.shuts |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Special Conditions | No dogs |
| Events | Occasional concerts and other events |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube (Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, District, Circle): Paddington. Bus: 7, 15, 23, 27, 36, 205, 436 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2003 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Norfolk Square was laid out after 1842 on the site of the former Upper South Reservoir of the Grand Junction Canal Company, possibly to the design of George Gutch, surveyor to the Bishop of London's extensive Paddington Estate. The garden was originally provided for the private use of inhabitants of Norfolk Square, who paid rates towards its upkeep. It was maintained by a Committee, which was elected at an annual meeting of the ratepayers when the rate was also agreed for the garden upkeep. In 1928 it was described as 'a long rectangular enclosure laid out as a lawn with some well-grown trees'. The area later became invaded by minor hotels, and with a block of flats replacing a church at the north end of the square. The garden became dilapidated and in 1989 the site was acquired by Westminster City Council through compulsory purchase. The garden was completely re-landscaped with new pathways, shrub planting and railings and opened to the public in autumn 1990. Lanterns were later added at the request of the local amenity society. Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott lived nearby and the square itself is surrounded by a number of fine buildings. There are bedding displays in the gardens.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ263812 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.283 |
| Site Ownership | WCC |
| Site Management | Parks Service (contractor: Continental Landscapes Ltd) |
| Dates | c. 1842-45; 1989/90 |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Bayswater |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | London Square |
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
Sussex Gardens is a private tree-lined avenue, most of which was known as Grand Junction Road until post-1914 (Sussex Gardens only west of London Street). With Westbourne Terrace it is one of two main axes in the planned development of Tyburnia, as laid out for the Bishop of London by his surveyors S P Cockerell (d.1827) and his successor George Gutch. It is aligned at the west end on the spire of St James's Church. Although the individual gardens are extremely narrow and restricted to patchy grass, privet and shrubs, bordered by a mixture of railings and wire mesh, the longitudinal effect of the infrequent mature London plane and hawthorn is magnificent. At the western end is Sussex Gardens Open Space, a triangular garden in front of the church.
Talbot Square was laid out after 1842 on the site of the former Lower Reservoir of the Grand Junction Canal Company, probably to the design of George Gutch. It was reserved for the use of occupants of the surrounding houses, who were responsible for its maintenance. The railings were removed for the war effort and replaced by chain link fencing. The northern terrace was replaced with a C20th block. In 1996 the garden was acquired by WCC and opened to the public, at which time some restoration was carried out although it was not until 2008/09 that the garden had extensive improvements, re-opening in Spring 2009 with new planting, entrances and traditional railings.
Gloucester Square was laid out as part of George Gutch's 'Final Plan for Tyburnia' of 1838 on the estate lands of the Church Commissioners, in an axis containing Sussex Square, Cambridge and Oxford Squares and Norfolk Crescent. Its name derives from William, Duke of Gloucester, who had a townhouse nearby. The south side was designed in 1844 by George Ledwell Taylor; the other three sides are now redevelopments of the C20th. The garden enclosure was provided as a private garden for occupiers of the square. Nowadays there are roses and flowerbeds, and substantial mature London plane trees.
