Description
St Simon's Church was completed in 1886, although the first service was held in 1880. There is a small garden to one side and at the front of the church with a mature ash tree in one corner, although the rest of the garden layout is relatively recent, comprising numerous shrubs, perennial flowers and some large pots. The area by the ash tree has been paved and seats are provided here.
Practical Information
| Site location | Rockley Road/Minford Gardens |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W14 0DA |
| What3Words | ///field.green.span |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Shepherds Bush (Central, Hammersmith & City); Goldhawk Road (Hammersmith & City). Bus: 72, 220, 283, 295, 49, 95, 237, 207, 260 |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Simon's Church was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, the foundation stone laid in 1878 and the first service held in 1880. The chancel and hexagonal tower and spire were completed in 1886, together with the attached parish hall.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ236796 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Church of England |
| Site Management | Church of England |
| Dates | 1879-86 |
| 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 | Hammersmith & Fulham |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | TPO 50/10/73 Ash, Crab and Plum |
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
Formerly waste of the Manor of Fulham and famous in the C18th for the display of bodies of those hanged at Tyburn, Shepherd's Bush Common or Green was acquired by Fulham Board of Works from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1871 for public open space. The marshy land was drained and laid out with paths, and the perimeter was planted with London plane trees. A War Memorial was installed on the Green in 1922, recently re-sited on a new plinth as part of major restoration works on the Green in 2012, with new playgrounds, pathways and planting.
St Matthew's Church was, to quote the title of a 1978 exhibition, built on a swamp. The parish was created in 1872 after the church was built in 1870/1 to the designs of Sir Arthur Blomfield. It was later restored in 1956/7 and the small garden that surrounds the church on three sides probably dates from that time. It contains one large mature holly tree but many of the other trees are of recent planting, and include several conifers and sycamores, probably self-sown, as well as buddleia and perennial plants. Judging by photographs of 1905 there were once large trees, probably poplars, and it seems likely that these went when the church was restored. The garden is surrounded by a privet hedge, which sketches and pictures show increasing in height from about that time.
Loris Road Community Garden was created in 1983 on a WWII bombsite with funding from the GLC and LB Hammersmith & Fulham. There are 3 sections, a more formal garden in the east, a woodland nature garden on the west and a children's play area. The garden has grass, mature sycamore and other trees and shrubs. The nature garden has a rustic pergola at the entrance, with a pond and raised flower bed, some mown grass with scattered trees and shrubs. A paved area allows pedestrian access to Batoum Gardens. There are two grassed areas with shrubs, pergola and seats. An Eco-shed was constructed in the garden in 2005.