Description
The public gardens are on the former churchyard of St Mary Abbots, Kensington Parish Church. There has been a church here since Norman times. St Mary's Church was rebuilt in the early C18th and its churchyard extended in 1763, but the current church dates from 1868. The former churchyard opened as a public garden in 1953, when the brick pergolas were constructed; a number of tombstones remain. The garden has roses, floral displays, grass and mature trees.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Kensington Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | Kensington Church Walk off Kensington High Street |
| Postcode | W8 |
| What3Words | ///trial.twice.chains |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk |
| Events | Events in church |
| Public Transport | Tube High Street Kensington (District, Circle) |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
There was a small church on the site of the eastern part of the present church, which was granted to Abingdon Abbey in c.1100, hence its name St Mary Abbots. The church was rebuilt in 1683-1704, and its churchyard was extended to the west in 1763, and a tower added in 1770-2. By 1866 the church was deemed to be unsafe and a new church was commissioned by the Church Building Committee from Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1868. The old church was demolished in 1869, although memorials were transferred to the new church, the earliest dating from Cromwell's Commonwealth. The pulpit was a gift of William II and Mary II soon after they moved to Kensington Palace. It was built by Dove Brothers of Islington and consecrated on 14 May 1872, its fine 250ft spire completed in 1879. The arcaded entrance dates from 1889-93 and was designed by Scott's son John Oldrid Scott. St Mary Abbots was damaged in WWII and restored in 1955 by Romilly Craze.
The former churchyard opened as a public garden in 1953. Three brick pergolas were constructed at that date; there are also rose beds and mature lime trees. The boundary of mesh wire contrasts unfavourably with the splendid cast iron railings of the adjacent Alec Clifton Taylor Memorial Garden (q.v.). In the churchyard are several sarcophagi, including one of 1784 to the west of church that was designed by Sir John Soane and carved by John Hinchcliffe Senior. The churchyard has fine railings and gates to Church Street with bedding displays planted adjacent to the church. A number of tombs are set into lawns behind the church overlooked by fine mature trees. The gardens to the west have beds, a pergola, seating and a number of tombs.
The former churchyard opened as a public garden in 1953. Three brick pergolas were constructed at that date; there are also rose beds and mature lime trees. The boundary of mesh wire contrasts unfavourably with the splendid cast iron railings of the adjacent Alec Clifton Taylor Memorial Garden (q.v.). In the churchyard are several sarcophagi, including one of 1784 to the west of church that was designed by Sir John Soane and carved by John Hinchcliffe Senior. The churchyard has fine railings and gates to Church Street with bedding displays planted adjacent to the church. A number of tombs are set into lawns behind the church overlooked by fine mature trees. The gardens to the west have beds, a pergola, seating and a number of tombs.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ256797 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.1544 |
| Site Ownership | RB Kensington & Chelsea (Church : Diocese of London) |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1868-72; 1953 |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: St Mary's Church and railings. LBII: Tomb of Elizabeth Johnstone, War Memorial |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Kensington |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Site of Archaeological Importance |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The public gardens were created on former wasteland in 1991 to commemorate Alec Clifton-Taylor, President of The Kensington Society (1978-85). The idea for the memorial arose from a friend of Clifton-Taylor requesting where he might plant a rose garden in his memory. A sundial by Mr Simmons and memorial plaque by Philip Murdin, both of the English Heritage Stone Carvers Studio, were given by the Kensington Society. The garden is adjacent to St Mary Abbots Gardens, the former churchyard of Kensington Parish Church.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Roof Gardens, among the earliest in England, were built for the new Derry and Toms Department Store, which opened in 1933. The Gardens were conceived by Vice-President of Barkers Trevor Bowen, who employed landscape architect Ralph Handcock to realise his vision and comprised 3 gardens from the outset: Spanish Garden, English Woodland Garden and Tudor Courtyard. Opened in May 1938 by the Earl of Athlone, the gardens became a popular attraction. Owned by Biba in the 1970s, and by Richard Branson since 1981, the Gardens becoming part of Virgin Limited Edition and hosted a members' club, a private function venue and, since 2001, the Babylon Restaurant on the 7th floor, which overlooks the gardens. They were extensively replanted in 2008/9 and remained home to exotic wildfowl including pink flamingos. The Spanish Garden was planted in the style of the 1950s, while the Tudor Courtyard was based on the Biba ethos and planting from the 1970s. The English Woodland was managed as a C21st environmental and wildlife garden. In 2018 the Roof Gardens closed when Virgin gave up their lease.
The Roof Gardens, among the earliest in England, were built for the new Derry and Toms Department Store, which opened in 1933. The Gardens were conceived by Vice-President of Barkers Trevor Bowen, who employed landscape architect Ralph Handcock to realise his vision and comprised 3 gardens from the outset: Spanish Garden, English Woodland Garden and Tudor Courtyard. Opened in May 1938 by the Earl of Athlone, the gardens became a popular attraction. Owned by Biba in the 1970s, and by Richard Branson since 1981, the Gardens becoming part of Virgin Limited Edition and hosted a members' club, a private function venue and, since 2001, the Babylon Restaurant on the 7th floor, which overlooks the gardens. They were extensively replanted in 2008/9 and remained home to exotic wildfowl including pink flamingos. The Spanish Garden was planted in the style of the 1950s, while the Tudor Courtyard was based on the Biba ethos and planting from the 1970s. The English Woodland was managed as a C21st environmental and wildlife garden. In 2018 the Roof Gardens closed when Virgin gave up their lease.
This is one of the earliest of London's garden squares, providing private communal gardens for residents of Kensington Square, which was laid out from 1692 in the centre of Thomas Young's development at Kensington. Originally called King's Square after James II, Kensington Square was largely surrounded by fields until 1840. Among famous residents were the painter Edward Burne-Jones, philosopher John Stuart Mill and musician Sir Charles Hubert Parry.