Description
The Tower of London and the area around it was formerly part of the Liberties of the Tower. Along the northern boundary of the sunken grassed area of the Tower Moat is a pedestrian walkway that runs around the moat. A steep bank of planting forms the northern boundary of the walkway with an area of public garden in the east corner, with grass, trees, shrub beds and seating. These public gardens were laid out in 1888 by Fanny Wilkinson, landscape gardener of the MPGA.
Practical Information
| Site location | Tower Hill |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EC3 |
| What3Words | ///fame.trains.alien |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted to pedestrian walkway |
| Public Transport | Tube: Tower Hill (District, Circle). DLR: Tower Gateway. Bus: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Tower of London (q.v.) and the area around it was formerly part of the Liberties of the Tower, which was self-governing until 1855 and is now within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Responsibility for the Tower comes under the Historic Royal Palaces Agency. Along the northern boundary of the sunken grassed area of the Tower Moat is a pedestrian walkway that runs around the moat, which passes beneath the road of Tower Hill and runs east to Tower Bridge and west to the main entrance to the Tower of London. Along the north side of the walkway is a steep bank of planting with shrubs, trees and flowerbeds. At the summit of the site in the east corner is an area of public gardens laid out with grass, trees and shrub beds, with paths and seating. It was laid out in 1888 by Fanny Wilkinson, the MPGA's landscape gardener. Reached by steps from the pedestrian walkway the garden is bounded by railings to the main road, and has a small garden building in the west corner.
Across the main road in front of London Guildhall University and the underground station is Tower Hill Gardens (q.v.), public open space that mostly lies within the boundary of the City of London and is maintained by the Corporation of London.
Across the main road in front of London Guildhall University and the underground station is Tower Hill Gardens (q.v.), public open space that mostly lies within the boundary of the City of London and is maintained by the Corporation of London.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ336807 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Historic Royal Palaces |
| Site Management | Historic Royal Palaces |
| Dates | 1888 |
| Designers | MPGA (Fanny Wilkinson) |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Revetment Wall to west and north side of moat from outwork attached to Middle Tower to Tower Hill Postern and from Tower Hill Postern to Tower Bridge Approach |
| 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 | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | World Heritage Site |
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
Tower Hill Gardens are divided from London Wall Gardens by the best preserved fragment of Roman City Wall that remains, running c.68m from Trinity Place. The public open space was simply landscaped with paths, grass, a number of trees and a few flower beds but was re-designed in 2010 to create a new play area, one of two such facilities in the City as part of the Corporation's City Play Partnership. The design placed an emphasis on introducing natural play by including plants, mounding of lawn areas and using natural materials.
London Wall Gardens is an area of public open space adjacent to Tower Hill underground station, flanked by the best preserved fragment of the Roman City Wall, which runs c.68m from Trinity Place. To the west of the Roman Wall the ground level is lower, representing ground level in Roman times and within this area is a C19th composite statue based on two ancient monuments, with the head of Roman Emperor Trajan (AD98-117) and the body of Emperor Augustus.
Although Wakefield Gardens was laid out in 1992 over the London Underground station, it is on land donated in the 1930s by the Wakefield Trust for public open space for the benefit of local people. It is in front of Tower Hill underground station, which was adapted from a 1961 office building in 1967. The garden contains a large sundial commissioned by London Underground Ltd and unveiled by Denis Tunnicliffe on 3 August 1992, designed by John Chitty; Edwin Russell made the bronze relief panels, which provide a history of the area.
