Description
Sussex Gardens Open Space is a triangular garden at the western end of Sussex Gardens, functioning as a setting to St James's Church, which was built in 1841-43. The land was part of the Ecclesiastical Commissioner's Paddington Estate. The garden was originally private, for the use of occupiers of certain adjoining houses, and managed by a Committee of occupiers. The garden has notable London plane trees; a central bed may coincide with a circular feature shown on the 1872 OS map. New landscaping includes box-edged beds and wooden frames for climbing plants.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Sussex Gardens Triangle |
|---|---|
| Site location | Sussex Gardens, Paddington |
| Postcode | W2 3UA |
| What3Words | ///nasal.when.cycles |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Special Conditions | No dogs |
| Public Transport | Tube: Paddington (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Bakerloo), Lancaster Gate (Central) |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Sussex Gardens Open Space is a triangular garden at the western end of Sussex Gardens (q.v.), surrounded by roads, functioning as a setting and foreground to St James's Church. The church was designed by John Goldicutt and George Gutch and built in 1841-43, later remodelled by G E Street in 1882. The land was part of the Ecclesiastical Commissioner's Paddington Estate. The garden was originally private, for the use of occupiers of certain adjoining houses, and managed by a Committee of occupiers. Expenses of maintenance were assessed proportionately on the houses, and the Trustees had the power to undertake maintenance work in case of neglect. In 1928 the garden is described as 'surrounded by a thin hedge and laid out with lawns and flower beds'. The garden has notable London plane trees; a central bed may coincide with a circular feature shown on the 1872 OS map. New landscaping includes box-edged beds and wooden frames for climbing plants, and there are bedding displays. The garden is bounded by recent railings.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ266809 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.168 |
| Site Ownership | WCC |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Contractors: Continental Landscapes Ltd) |
| Dates | 1841-43 |
| Listed Structures | LB II*: St James's Church |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Bayswater |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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
Talbot Square was laid out after 1842 on the site of the former Lower Reservoir of the Grand Junction Canal Company, probably to the design of George Gutch. It was reserved for the use of occupants of the surrounding houses, who were responsible for its maintenance. The railings were removed for the war effort and replaced by chain link fencing. The northern terrace was replaced with a C20th block. In 1996 the garden was acquired by WCC and opened to the public, at which time some restoration was carried out although it was not until 2008/09 that the garden had extensive improvements, re-opening in Spring 2009 with new planting, entrances and traditional railings.
Sussex Square was laid out as a garden square as part of George Gutch's 'Final Plan for Tyburnia' (1838) as the south-eastern point of a great axis of gardens, including Gloucester Square, Cambridge and Oxford Squares, and Norfolk Crescent. The garden remained in the ownership of the Paddington Estate Trustees and was provided for the private use of occupiers of the surrounding houses, maintenance out of proportionate expenses levied on the occupants. In 1928 it was described out as a 'circular area surrounded by a thick hedge and shrubbery. Laid out as a lawn and contains some well-grown trees'. The surrounding buildings are now of 1933 or later. The plan of the garden remains circular, the lawn has a circuit walk, and it contains notable London plane trees; the boundary is hedge with wire mesh fencing.
Westbourne Terrace is a tree-lined avenue laid out as part of the planned development of Tyburnia for the Bishop of London. Like Sussex Gardens, the individual gardens are narrow, somewhat erratic in quality, but the longitudinal effect of the mature London plane trees and hawthorn is very striking.
