Description
Rembrandt Gardens overlook the Regent's Canal on the eastern side of the basin at Little Venice by Browning's Pool, where it joins the Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm. Created here in the 1950s these ornamental gardens were originally called Warwick Avenue Gardens. In 1975 5000 tulips and 500 hyacinths were donated to mark the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the City of Amsterdam and the gardens were renamed Rembrandt Gardens. There are numerous ornamental beds, shrubs, and a low wall along towpath. During 2006 the gardens underwent a major upgrade of its infrastructure and horticultural features.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Warwick Avenue Gardens |
|---|---|
| Site location | Warwick Avenue |
| Postcode | W2 1XB |
| What3Words | ///envy.scope.lately |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Special Conditions | No dogs |
| Facilities | Toilets |
| Public Transport | Tube: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo). Bus: 6, 18, 46, 187, 414 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2014 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Rembrandt Gardens are ornamental public gardens overlooking the Regent's Canal where it meets the Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm (q.v.). It is on the eastern side of the basin at Little Venice by Browning's Pool, so-named after Robert Browning, who lived in Warwick Crescent and reputedly planted additional trees on the island in the basin, today planted with Willows. The garden had been created here in the 1950s and was originally called Warwick Avenue Gardens. While the tree-lined avenues beside the Regent's Canal had remained smart, the area south-west of the pool, hemmed in farther south by railway lines, had decayed in the later C19th and by 1950 the east side of the pool had large derelict houses as well as some artists' studios. Described in 1952 as 'surrounded by a good deal of sordidness', with slums on the west side and more to the north. Plans to demolish the studios and replace them with flats were fought successfully and the public garden was laid out instead. The campaign was supported by artist Feliks Topolski, who had a studio here, the Labour party, eminent residents and the LCC.
In 1975 5000 tulips and 500 hyacinths were donated to the gardens to mark the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the City of Amsterdam ('Venice of the North'), and the gardens were renamed Rembrandt Gardens. At the presentation ceremony the Dutch were in full national costume. The gardens have numerous ornamental beds, shrubs, and a low wall along the towpath. During 2006 the garden underwent a major upgrade of its infrastructure and horticultural features, funded by WCC and the Paddington Community Fund, costing c.£400,000. To the south of the main garden is Stone Wharf, which is linked to Rembrandt Gardens via the canal tow path under a road bridge. Stone Wharf is open to the canal along one side and sunken from the Harrow Road on the other and comprises of a rectangle of paving with two levels, a grid of trees, and an area of grass.
Access to Rembrandt Gardens is also over a footbridge from a canalside path between London Street and Westbourne Terrace Road. There are lime trees along Blomfield Road and Clifton Nurseries are adjacent to Westbourne Terrace Road bridge, railed lawn with ornate drinking fountain.
In 1975 5000 tulips and 500 hyacinths were donated to the gardens to mark the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the City of Amsterdam ('Venice of the North'), and the gardens were renamed Rembrandt Gardens. At the presentation ceremony the Dutch were in full national costume. The gardens have numerous ornamental beds, shrubs, and a low wall along the towpath. During 2006 the garden underwent a major upgrade of its infrastructure and horticultural features, funded by WCC and the Paddington Community Fund, costing c.£400,000. To the south of the main garden is Stone Wharf, which is linked to Rembrandt Gardens via the canal tow path under a road bridge. Stone Wharf is open to the canal along one side and sunken from the Harrow Road on the other and comprises of a rectangle of paving with two levels, a grid of trees, and an area of grass.
Access to Rembrandt Gardens is also over a footbridge from a canalside path between London Street and Westbourne Terrace Road. There are lime trees along Blomfield Road and Clifton Nurseries are adjacent to Westbourne Terrace Road bridge, railed lawn with ornate drinking fountain.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ263818 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.568 |
| Site Ownership | WCC |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Contractors: Continental Landscapes Ltd) |
| Dates | 1950s; 1975 |
| 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 | No |
| Local Authority | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Little Venice |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
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
Little Venice Gardens are for the private use of residents of the houses backing onto this secluded private space. It was laid out in the 1840s on the Pond Fields belonging to the Bishop of London, residential development around the basin of the Grand Union Canal having begun in the 1830s. The garden has mature trees, managed woodland, expanses of lawns and herbaceous borders, and rose beds with box hedging. Trees include London plane, lime and horse chestnut. Facilities for the residents include a tennis court, open to members of Little Venice Tennis Club, and a children's playground.
This is part of the former burial ground for the parish church of St Mary Paddington Green. In 1885 the northern part of the burial ground was opened as a public garden initially called the Old Burial Ground, now St Mary's Churchyard. The majority of tombs were moved to the western periphery although a number of monuments remained in place, that of Sarah Siddons is located towards the northern end. There is a tree-lined walk, predominantly lime, along the eastern boundary, and scattered trees include a weeping ash. Mosses and ferns have colonised the west wall and the tombstones stacked against it.
The Triangle Garden is a communal gardens in the triangle formed by Randolph Crescent, Clifton Gardens and Randolph Avenue. Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. The white stucco houses date from the 1860s and the peaceful garden has formal and informal beds and a central island with London plane trees that are over 100 years old.
