Description
Shandy Park is on the former site of the East London Cemetery or Beaumont Burial Ground, which was founded by Captain J T Barber Beaumont, as part of housing that he built on his land here. The cemetery closed in 1852 and in 1885 it was made into a children's recreation ground, maintained by the LCC who leased the site from the Beaumont family. Some tombs remain in the park. A paddling pool was constructed in the park in c.1934. Terraced houses on surrounding streets suffered bomb damage in WWII and the wider area was subsequently made into the park.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Shandy Street Recreation Ground; Beaumont Burial Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Shandy Street, Stepney |
| Postcode | E1 |
| What3Words | ///divide.lofts.void |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's playground, dog exercising enclosure |
| Public Transport | Tube: Stepney Green (District, Hammersmith & City) |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The park is on the former site of the East London Cemetery or Beaumont Burial Ground, which was founded by Captain J T Barber Beaumont, as part of the early C19th housing that he built on several fields to the north of the village of Stepney. In 1838 the cemetery was described as 'ornamentally planted with grass and shrub, which afford a suitable accompaniment of foliage and flowers to the tombs, and commodious walks...'. Captain Beaumont was buried here in 1841 but later his family moved his remains to Kensal Green Cemetery (q.v.). The cemetery closed in 1852 and the 1.5 acre site was made into a public recreation ground in 1885 laid out by the MPGA; some of the tombs remained but much of it was gravelled. Remaining in the ownership of the Beaumont family, it was leased to the London County Council under an agreement with the owners and made available for 'the recreation of children'; the agreement stipulated that it should be closed to the public on one particular day in September each year. A new paddling pool was provided in 1934, and a short article by Cecil Kahn in The Builder described its method of construction whereby the water was contained 'by a surround of mass-concrete rendered watertight by the addition of "Colemanoid" Liquid in the proportion of one gallon to every fifteen of the gauging water. Stone surrounds contain the trees, the joints being rendered waterproof with mortar in the making of which "Colemanoid" was used.' The paddling pool no longer exists although two large concrete cubes may be remains of the structure.
The terraced houses on four surrounding streets were all bombed in World War II and the entire area was made into the park. Barber Beaumont's large memorial stone was removed to the new People's Palace in 1979. There remain some headstones against the wall adjoining what remains of St Faith's Church (now Arbour Youth Centre), and St Faith's House. The park is a largely grassed area, with some mounding and crossed with paths. There is shrub planting, for example on the perimeter and at entrances, and the park contains some fine mature plane trees.
The terraced houses on four surrounding streets were all bombed in World War II and the entire area was made into the park. Barber Beaumont's large memorial stone was removed to the new People's Palace in 1979. There remain some headstones against the wall adjoining what remains of St Faith's Church (now Arbour Youth Centre), and St Faith's House. The park is a largely grassed area, with some mounding and crossed with paths. There is shrub planting, for example on the perimeter and at entrances, and the park contains some fine mature plane trees.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ360819 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.4592 |
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1837; 1885 |
| 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 | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
This was originally an open square with late C18th terraced houses on its north and east sides. It was renamed Trafalgar Square after Nelson's victory of 1805, the first of four such squares in London. By 1813 there were terraced houses on the south side. A circular garden was later replaced by a rectangular garden that opened to the public in 1885 as Trafalgar Square Garden, the name changed to Trafalgar Gardens in 1937. It is now entirely hard paved and used as playground with a block of basketball courts behind high fencing.
Beaumont Square was laid out as part of the Beaumont Estate in the 1840s. The central garden was originally for the private use of residents but in the late C19th it was leased by the LCC and opened to the public. Beaumont Philosophical Institution used to be in the north-west corner of the square, founded in 1840 to provide 'intellectual improvement and rational recreation and amusement for people living in the East End of London'. In the 1980s the garden underwent major restoration and has planting displays in formal beds, rose beds and fine trees with a children's playground at the south end.
Stepping Stones Farm was established by local people in 1979 on a derelict site in Stepney that had suffered WWII bombing. The name was changed to Stepney City Farm in 2009 when a new charity was established to rescue the farm from closure. Local people continue to take an active part in the farm, and in 2012 the charity was granted a 10 year lease by LB Tower Hamlets. In addition to being a working farm, there have been allotments here since the early days, and there are garden areas on the site. A Rural Arts Centre opened in 2013.
