Description
Pond Square today is a triangular tree-shaded open space with pathways running across it, three raised areas largely grassed, and in one corner a small toilet block within shrubbery. The highest point in Camden, this was the old centre of Highgate Village and once had two large ponds that provided drinking water to the village. The freehold was conveyed to St Pancras Vestry in 1884 and in 1886 the ponds were drained in order to create a public space, which opened in the same year. The garden is overlooked by terraced houses, several dating from C18th and C19th, and by the Highbury Literary and Scientific Institute and Emanuel Church.
Practical Information
| Site location | Pond Square/South Grove/West Hill Highgate |
|---|---|
| Postcode | N6 6DA |
| What3Words | ///thinks.birds.loaded |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Highgate, Archway (Northern) then bus. Bus: 143, 210, 271. |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Pond Square is a triangular shaded square, the central area now resurfaced with bonded gravel with stone pathways following receipt of a grant from English Heritage. (The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.)
Pond Square is situated at the highest point in Camden and was the old centre of Highgate Village (with the Green at The Grove (q.v.) now a reservoir), and was the site of two large ponds, which provided drinking water to the village. At one time the Highgate lock-up was here, a small building 7 foot square, where miscreants were held temporarily. In 1884 the freehold of the site was conveyed to St Pancras Vestry and both the ponds were then drained in 1886 in order to create a public space, which opened as such in the same year. The deeds dated 19 July 1884 are now held by LB Camden 'in trust to allow, and with a view, to the enjoyment by the public of the open space in an open condition, free from buildings and under proper control and regulation and for no other purpose, but [LB Camden] shall not allow the playing of any games or sports thereon and [LB Camden] shall maintain and keep the same in a good and decent state and may enclose or keep the same enclosed with proper railings and gates.' It was preserved as public open space under the London Squares and Enclosures (Preservation) Act of 1906.
The garden is surrounded by terraced houses, several dating from C18th and C19th including Rock House of mid-late C18th, No 13 dates from c.1811, a semi-detached house formed by the rear of No.59 Highgate High Street built for C Lynne, re-fronted in the mid C19th. Nearby are the Highbury Literary and Scientific Institute and Emanuel Church. Adjacent to the gardens is a K2 telephone kiosk of 1927 designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.
Pond Square is situated at the highest point in Camden and was the old centre of Highgate Village (with the Green at The Grove (q.v.) now a reservoir), and was the site of two large ponds, which provided drinking water to the village. At one time the Highgate lock-up was here, a small building 7 foot square, where miscreants were held temporarily. In 1884 the freehold of the site was conveyed to St Pancras Vestry and both the ponds were then drained in 1886 in order to create a public space, which opened as such in the same year. The deeds dated 19 July 1884 are now held by LB Camden 'in trust to allow, and with a view, to the enjoyment by the public of the open space in an open condition, free from buildings and under proper control and regulation and for no other purpose, but [LB Camden] shall not allow the playing of any games or sports thereon and [LB Camden] shall maintain and keep the same in a good and decent state and may enclose or keep the same enclosed with proper railings and gates.' It was preserved as public open space under the London Squares and Enclosures (Preservation) Act of 1906.
The garden is surrounded by terraced houses, several dating from C18th and C19th including Rock House of mid-late C18th, No 13 dates from c.1811, a semi-detached house formed by the rear of No.59 Highgate High Street built for C Lynne, re-fronted in the mid C19th. Nearby are the Highbury Literary and Scientific Institute and Emanuel Church. Adjacent to the gardens is a K2 telephone kiosk of 1927 designed by Giles Gilbert Scott.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ283874 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.51 |
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Parks & Open Spaces. Pond Square Residents Association |
| Dates | C18th; C20th |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: No.6 Pond Square (Rock House); No. 10 South Grove (Church House). LBII: Nos.1-5, 16 Pond Square; Nos. 2-9, 11, 15 South Grove, K2 Telephone kiosk, Highgate United Reformed Church, Moreton House. |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Green (TVG72) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Highgate |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Special Character: Hampstead & Highgate Ridge |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local). Registered Village Green/Common Land |
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
The land here was formerly part of Highgate Green, the old village green. In 1844 the New River Company purchased land then being used for nursery gardens, also the site of one of the three village ponds and built Highgate Service Reservoir here in 1846. This provided water to houses in Highgate for the first time. Today the reservoir is covered and the site is largely grassland, but still has the small circular conduit house built to service the reservoir. Two stretches of the original cast iron railings remain around the reservoir along Highgate West Hill and The Grove. Species of birch have been planted on the reservoir roof by Thames Water, who continue to be responsible for the site.
Highgate School was founded as a grammar school by Sir Roger Cholmeley in 1565 through a Charter of Queen Elizabeth I. It later became a public school and expanded in the mid C19th. In 1865-67 the Gothic school buildings were built in Highgate Village, of which the hall and chapel survive, the latter built on the site of an earlier chapel at ease attached to the grammar school. The adjacent burial ground was used by Anglicans in Highgate before St Michael's Church was built in South Grove.
The Roman Catholic church of St Joseph was established at Highgate in 1858, the current church replacing the first church of 1859-61, to which St Joseph's Retreat was added in 1874-5 for the Fathers of the church. Terraced gardens were laid out below the Retreat, overlooked by the tall statue of St Joseph. The garden contains notable horse chestnut, oak and plane trees and remnants of terraces and steps.