Description
Oakley Square is named after Oakley House, a seat of land-owner the Duke of Bedford. The garden was laid out c1845, planned in conjunction with terraces that survive only along its northern side. The well-planted garden had serpentine paths, two circular areas at either end of a central path running north-east to south-west, and was originally for the use of the Duke, his heirs and assigns, and those living in the square. It is now open to the public, and was relandscaped in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Practical Information
| Site location | Oakley Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW1 |
| What3Words | ///tries.jumped.phones |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | locked at dusk |
| Public Transport | Rail/London Overground/Tube (Northern/Victoria): Euston. Tube: Mornington Crescent (Northern). Bus: 168, 214, 253, 24, 27, 29, 46, 134 |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Oakley Square is named after Oakley House, a seat of the Duke of Bedford who owned the land. The garden was laid out c1845 and planned in conjunction with the C19th terraces that survive only along its northern side. The square was built piecemeal from 1845-1859; Nos. 53-57 is a symmetrical terrace of 5 houses and Nos. 58-70 a terrace of 13 houses. The gardens were originally for the use of the Duke, his heirs and assigns, and those living in the square. A Committee of inhabitants were appointed under the Metropolis Management Act of 1855, who maintained the gardens out of rates levied by St Pancras Borough Council. Under a Special Act of Parliament of 1800, which related to enclosures on the Bedford Estates (including Ampthill, Gordon, Harrington, Oakley and Tavistock Squares (q.q.v.)), the rate was limited to 1s in the £ on the rateable value.The OS map of 1875 shows an elaborate formal garden layout with serpentine paths, two circular areas at either end of a central path running north-east to south-west, and well planted. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a long enclosure of irregular shape, surrounded by a thick privet hedge. Attractively laid out with lawns and flower beds, and contains some fine trees.' Today it is enclosed by a wire mesh fence and laid out with grass, serpentine walks, flower beds and mature London planes.
At one corner is Oakley Square Gardens Lodge, a C19th single storey stuccoed building with rusticated quoins; over the bay, the Bedford family coat of arms is in a circular plaque supported by scrolled consoles. The lodge house was originally flanked by gates to bar undesirable traffic from the square but the gates were removed in 1893. The garden is now open to the public, and was relandscaped in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Old Vicarage, now a private house, was built in 1861 and designed by John Johnson in Gothic Revival style. Johnson also designed the Church of St Matthew, now demolished, which had stood to the right, and who was best known for his designs for Alexandra Palace.
At one corner is Oakley Square Gardens Lodge, a C19th single storey stuccoed building with rusticated quoins; over the bay, the Bedford family coat of arms is in a circular plaque supported by scrolled consoles. The lodge house was originally flanked by gates to bar undesirable traffic from the square but the gates were removed in 1893. The garden is now open to the public, and was relandscaped in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Old Vicarage, now a private house, was built in 1861 and designed by John Johnson in Gothic Revival style. Johnson also designed the Church of St Matthew, now demolished, which had stood to the right, and who was best known for his designs for Alexandra Palace.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ293833 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.6771 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Parks & Open Spaces |
| Dates | c.1845; 1953 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Oakley Square Gardens Lodge; The Old Vicarage and attached railings, gate & wall; Nos 53-57 and 58-70 Oakley Square and attached railings. |
| 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 | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Conservation Area Name | abuts Camden Town CA (not garden) |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local). London Squares Preservation Act of 1931. |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Harrington Square was originally laid out as a planned development of the Duke of Bedford's estate. It consisted of two terraces overlooking a triangular garden enclosure, provided for the residents of the surrounding houses. Today only part of the east side of the C19th terrace remains, the north of which was destroyed by WWII bombing. The south terrace was demolished for new housing in the 1960s. The gardens, now public, are enclosed by railings and privet hedge, laid out with grass, flowerbeds, mature trees and some perimeter shrubbery.
Goldington Crescent Gardens are an oval area enclosed by railings, with grass and tall mature trees, bisected by a serpentine path. The terrace of Nos. 5-12 Goldington Crescent was built c.1849-50 and the land was owned by the Duke of Bedford and a Mr A Wilkinson, each of whom owned half the houses of the Crescent. The gardens were provided for use of the occupants of surrounding houses, who bore the maintenance costs, but are now publicly accessible. A late C19th double cattle trough presented by the Metropolitan Cattle Trough and Drinking Fountain Association is situated to the north of the gardens. A new sculptural commission by Robert Worley, ARBS, was installed in the gardens in 2010.
Ampthill Estate is on the site of Ampthill Square, a garden square laid out in 1800 as a development of terraced houses around a crescent-shaped garden. Crossed by railway tracks from Euston by the end of the C19th, in 1912 part of the land and houses were purchased by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company. The garden was then divided into two enclosures, one maintained for local residents of the square. Little remains of the original square today and the re-landscaped area is now overlooked by C20th tower blocks, although some mature trees from the earlier landscaping survive.
