Description
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.
Practical Information
| Site location | Tower Hill |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EC3 |
| What3Words | ///pines.sung.mouth |
| Type of Site | Public Gardens |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Tube: Tower Hill (District, Circle). DLR: Tower Gateway |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Tower Hill underground station opened in 1987, built on the site of the former Tower of London underground station, which operated from 1882 but was closed in 1884. Tower Hill station replaced a station with the same name, but which had earlier been called Mark Lane and had been slightly farther west.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ335807 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1992 |
| 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 |
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
Trinity Square Garden was laid out in 1795 as the setting for Trinity House, and the garden was preserved as open space under a Special Act of Parliament in 1797. To the north of the garden are the buildings that recall maritime history: Trinity House and the former Port of London Authority headquarters. Within the public garden is the Merchant Navy Memorial, consisting of the First World War section by Sir Edwin Lutyens and the Second World War section by Sir Edward Maufe, laid out in the form of a sunken garden. Two annual events take place at the Merchant Navy Memorial: Merchant Navy Day (3rd September), is commemorated with a service held on the nearest Sunday, organised by the Merchant Navy Association. Armistice Day (11th November) is also commemorated at the Memorial with the Remembrance Day service, organised by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, taking place prior to or after the 11th, depending on the nearest Sunday. Within the garden is the Tower Hill Memorial marking the site of the scaffold where nobility were beheaded between 1381-1780 usually following imprisonment in the Tower.
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.
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.
