Description
St Thomas's Square was a development built by Robert Collins in 1771/2 on land leased from St Thomas's Hospital. The central area was essentially open space until 1892 when it was laid out as a public garden by Hackney District Board with grants form the MBW, MPGA and the LCC. Just outside the railings at the west end is a granite drinking fountain in memory of Esther Nelson, which was unveiled by the Mayor of Hackney in 1912. Hackney Borough Council purchased the garden in 1915.
Practical Information
| Site location | St Thomas's Square, Mare Street |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E9 |
| What3Words | ///hiking.sits.sank |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Hackney |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 7.30am - dusk (summer 9.30pm, winter 4pm). |
| Public Transport | Rail: London Fields. Bus 26, 48, 55, 106, 236, 253, 277, D6 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Thomas's Square was a development built by Robert Collins in 1771/2 on land leased from St Thomas's Hospital who owned much land in Hackney; some of this land had previously been owned by the Hospital of the Savoy who by 1517 owned 6 acres on London Fields (q.v.). The square was described in 1892 by Benjamin Clarke as 'anything but picturesque. The centre was a field with an old irregular fence around it, but a little interest attaches itself to some of the inhabitants of the Square.' In 1892 Hackney District Board leased the central land and laid it out as public gardens through grants from the Metropolitan Board of Works, Metropolitan Public Gardens Association and the LCC. Hackney Borough Council then purchased the gardens in 1915 for £50, and in 1928 it was described as 'laid out as an attractive ornamental garden. Contains some well-grown trees' (Royal Commission on London Squares).
On the south-east corner was St Thomas's Chapel, built in 1771, which later became the site of the Empress Cinema that opened in 1912, becoming the Essoldo in 1937 and then a bingo hall but this was demolished in 1996 to build a new residential block for Cordwainers College. The north-west corner of the square suffered bomb damage in World War II and the northern and eastern sides were compulsorily purchased by the LCC in 1952 and demolished and flats built as part of the Frampton Park estate. Just outside the railings at the west end of the square is a pink and grey granite drinking fountain dating from 1912; circular pedestal with moulded base and cornice supports a column with taps screened by grey granite columns with capitals carrying moulded circular cup with ball finial, inscription reads: 'presented to the Hackney Borough Council by Morris Nelson Esq in memory of his wife Esther. Unveiled by Councillor William Hammer Mayor of Hackney 31st October 1912'.
Enclosed by railings, the garden has lawns containing ornamental flower beds, small trees (flowering cherry) and towards the Mare Street boundary is a central pyramidal conifer reached by two tarmac paths; paths also circumnavigate the square, with shrub planting and mature trees along perimeter beds.
On the south-east corner was St Thomas's Chapel, built in 1771, which later became the site of the Empress Cinema that opened in 1912, becoming the Essoldo in 1937 and then a bingo hall but this was demolished in 1996 to build a new residential block for Cordwainers College. The north-west corner of the square suffered bomb damage in World War II and the northern and eastern sides were compulsorily purchased by the LCC in 1952 and demolished and flats built as part of the Frampton Park estate. Just outside the railings at the west end of the square is a pink and grey granite drinking fountain dating from 1912; circular pedestal with moulded base and cornice supports a column with taps screened by grey granite columns with capitals carrying moulded circular cup with ball finial, inscription reads: 'presented to the Hackney Borough Council by Morris Nelson Esq in memory of his wife Esther. Unveiled by Councillor William Hammer Mayor of Hackney 31st October 1912'.
Enclosed by railings, the garden has lawns containing ornamental flower beds, small trees (flowering cherry) and towards the Mare Street boundary is a central pyramidal conifer reached by two tarmac paths; paths also circumnavigate the square, with shrub planting and mature trees along perimeter beds.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ350843 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.29 |
| Site Ownership | LB Hackney |
| Site Management | Hackney Parks Service |
| Dates | 1772; 1892 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Drinking Fountain |
| 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 | Yes |
| Local Authority | Hackney |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Mare Street |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Archaeological Priority |
| Other LA Designation | London Square; Open Space |
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
St Thomas's Recreation Ground is on the site of the former burial ground of a Nonconformist Chapel at St Thomas's Square. The burial ground was on land leased by St Thomas's Hospital and was used from at least the late C18th. Following closure for burial, it was eventually laid out as a public garden in 1888 and was maintained by Hackney District Board of Works. The grave markers were cleared, many now fixed or against the walls, and some chest tombs remain. Entry from Mare Street is via an early C19th archway, and a pavilion in the centre dates from the late C19th or early C20th.
St Thomas's Burial Ground was the former cemetery to a chapel-of-ease of St John-at-Hackney Church that was established here in 1810 to serve the southern part of the parish. Although the chapel was demolished after it ceased to be used in 1848, burials continued until 1876. It was converted into a public garden following agreement of the Bishop of London in 1884, with some chest tombs left in position but the remainder moved to the north and east perimeter. The garden has a number of fine plane trees along either side with a central path flanked at intervals by shrubs.
Hackney Town Hall was built in 1934-37 when a larger building was needed to accommodate the offices of the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney. It is set back from the main road behind a landscaped square that was laid out on the site of the old Town Hall, itself the site of the C16th Church House long used for church, parochial and educational purposes. Now called Town Hall Square, it remains a formal, symmetrical composition with island beds, enclosed by stone parapet walls with four piers surmounted by bronze Art Deco lanterns at the front.