Description
In 1189 there is a reference to the church here as 'Ecclesia de Staningehage', Staining probably referring to a landowner from Staines. Oat Lane is probably so-called for an oat market that existed here by the C16th. St Mary Staining Church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not restored. In 1965 the Corporation of London took over the maintenance of the open space created on the site of the church and churchyard. The garden is a raised area of lawn with a large plane tree, path on two sides and tombstones ranged along the back. It is overlooked by Pewterers' Hall, which was built here in 1959-61 after the Company's hall in Lime Street was demolished in 1932.
Practical Information
| Site location | Oat Lane/St Albans Court |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EC2V 7EE |
| What3Words | ///uses.amused.lawn |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | City of London |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: St Paul's (Central) |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In 1189 there is a reference to the church here as 'Ecclesia de Staningehage'. Staining probably derives from landowner from Staines and Staining Lane dates from at least late C12th. Oat Lane probably site of oat market which existed here by C16th. In 1278 a murder took place here when Richard de Codeford, accused of robbery, took refuge in the church and killed his pursuers with a lance through a hole in the window. The church was repaired in 1630 but destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not restored, the parish united to that of St Michael Wood Street. The last rector was famous for denouncing a Popish Plot. In 1965 the Corporation of London took of the maintenance of the open space created on the site of the church and churchyard. The garden is a raised area of grass with a large plane tree, path on two sides and tombstones at the back. Raised flower beds and shrubs. Churchyard overlooked by Pewterers' Hall which was built here 1959-61 after the company's hall in Lime Street of 1668-70, itself replacing an earlier hall of 1496, was demolished in 1932.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ322815 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0358 |
| Site Ownership | Diocese of London |
| Site Management | City of London Corporation Open Spaces Dept |
| Dates | C12th |
| 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 | City of London |
| 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
Noble Street Gardens is a sunken garden made post-WWII adjacent to the Plaisterers' Hall. The area suffered heavy bomb damage in WWII and the excavated garden contains remains of the old Roman Wall. The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers was incorporated in 1501 and its original hall was built in 1556 in Addle Hill off Carter Lane, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 and then again in 1882 after another fire. The hall here dates from 1970-3, rebuilt c.2002. Noble Street is named after a C14th landowner, Thomas Noble.
St Olave Silver Street was dedicated to Olaf, the first Christian King of Norway who fought in England alongside Ethelread in 1013 against the Danes. The church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1609 and 1619 but destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not rebuilt. On the site of the churchyard is a partly raised garden surrounded by shrubs, with trees and a few tombstones in the grass. Either side of a short flight of steps leading to the raised area are two much-weathered plaques with inscriptions relating to the church, one of which showing a skull and crossbones.
St Alban's Church may have originated as an C8th chapel built by King Offa, founder of St Alban's Abbey. The church was rebuilt in 1633/4 but was badly damaged in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt by Wren, completed in 1685. Following bomb damage in WWII it was demolished in 1955 apart from the Tower, which was restored in 1964 and later converted to a house. It stands on an island site in the middle of Wood Street, with minimal landscaping. The churchyard had been to the north of the building, now entirely built over by roadway and buildings.
