Description
Norland Square Garden forms the private communal gardens for the residents of Norland Square, which was built as part of the development of the Norland Estate from the early 1840s. The estate originally comprised 52 acres attached to Norland House, and passed through a number of owners until 1839 when it was sold for development at a time when building in the area was accelerating. The garden has long had tennis courts, and although it lost its original railings these were reinstated in 2007, and the path layout has also been restored.
Practical Information
| Site location | Norland Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W11 |
| What3Words | ///reap.trail.pink |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | Occasionally |
| Opening Times | Has opened for London Open Gardens. Otherwise private, for keyholders only |
| Facilities | Children's play area; tennis courts |
| Public Transport | Tube: Holland Park (Central). Bus: 94, 148 |
| Research Updated | 1 August 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The square is part of the Norland Estate, which was developed from c.1840. The Estate was originally 52 acres of grounds attached to Norland House, its site now No. 130 Holland Park Avenue, the name 'Norlands' appearing in records in 1599. In the early C18th Norland House was purchased by Thomas Greene, whose grandson E B Greene inherited in 1740 but, due to debts, was forced to lease out the house and 12 acres as a military academy in 1761. When Greene died in 1791 the estate was bought at auction by Benjamin Vulliamy, whose family held it until 1839. Vulliamy then sold Norland to William Kingdom for development, encouraged by the acceleration of building development in the area at that time, which included the Ladbroke Estate to the east and the Holland Estate to the south. There was also much improved drainage of the land here due to a new sewer that was built in 1838/9 through the estate to accommodate the Birmingham, Bristol and Thames Junction Railway line. Kingdom assigned the sale of the estate to solicitor Charles Richardson, who then began raising the necessary capital to build 3 miles of sewers approved by the Westminster Commissioner of Sewers and to begin building the estate to designs of Kingdom's architect Robert Cantwell. Building progress did not go smoothly and despite his best efforts Richardson was bankrupt by 1855. However, by 1850 Norland Square was built and Cantwell's tall narrow stucco-fronted terraces frame the central garden.
The OS map of 1863 shows that it was laid out with winding paths and trees round the perimeter. In 1928 it was described as a 'rectangular area surrounded by privet hedge. Laid out with lawns and tennis courts and contains some well grown trees.' It was for the use of freeholders of the houses in the square, and maintained by a Committee of Management elected by the male householders, with rates levied on the occupiers of houses by the Borough Council. Today the square is mainly grass in the centre, surrounded by mature trees. The original railings were removed and for many years the garden was bordered by wire mesh fencing, but the railings were reinstated in 2007. The paths have also been restored to the original layout, and the garden has a central lawn, shrub and flower borders and ornamental trees. The garden is protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
The OS map of 1863 shows that it was laid out with winding paths and trees round the perimeter. In 1928 it was described as a 'rectangular area surrounded by privet hedge. Laid out with lawns and tennis courts and contains some well grown trees.' It was for the use of freeholders of the houses in the square, and maintained by a Committee of Management elected by the male householders, with rates levied on the occupiers of houses by the Borough Council. Today the square is mainly grass in the centre, surrounded by mature trees. The original railings were removed and for many years the garden was bordered by wire mesh fencing, but the railings were reinstated in 2007. The paths have also been restored to the original layout, and the garden has a central lawn, shrub and flower borders and ornamental trees. The garden is protected under 1851 Garden Square Act.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ243801 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.6171 |
| Site Ownership | ?Norland Estate |
| Site Management | Norland Square Garden Committee |
| Dates | 1840s |
| Designers | Robert Cantwell |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Nos.2-18 (incl), Nos.19-35 (incl), Nos.36-52 Norland Square |
| 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 | Norland |
| 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
Fronting Nos. 135-159 Holland Park Avenue is a strip of landscaping between the main road and a private roadway. In the early C20th it was owned and maintained by The Alliance Economic Investment Company Ltd, who acted as Trustees for themselves and other freeholders of the terrace. Under the Trust Deed all the freeholders were under covenant to contribute to the maintenance of the garden and roadway, which was carried out by the Company as Trustees.
The private communal gardens were provided for residents of St James's Square, which was built c.1847-51 as part of the Norland Estate. The estate originally comprised 52 acres attached to Norland House, and passed through a number of owners until 1839 when it was sold for development to William Kingdom. The sale of the estate was assigned to solicitor Charles Richardson who began by raising funds to lay 3 miles of sewers before building commenced. He donated the site for St James's Church in St James's Gardens. The gardens to the east and west of the church were simply laid out with central paths and perimeter trees.
The private communal garden was provided for residents of Royal Crescent, which was built as part of the development of the Norland Estate. The estate, which originally comprised 52 acres of grounds attached to Norland House, passed through various owners until William Kingdom purchased it for house development in the late 1830s. In 1997 the perimeter railings were replaced and in 2003 work began to re-design the gardens. The new landscaping scheme retains its overall feel, adding a central gazebo, renewing planting and paths. Many of the trees date from the C19th, with two large London planes that may predate the original layout.