Description
One of the characteristic elongated squares that open off King's Road, this private communal garden was provided for residents of Wellington Square, which was developed in the 1830s. It is named after the Duke of Wellington. The garden is enclosed by modern railings and has a small area of grass, mature plane trees and sycamore.
Practical Information
| Site location | Wellington Square/King's Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW3 |
| What3Words | ///acted.stuff.tent |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private but visible from roadway |
| Public Transport | Tube: Sloane Square (District, Circle). Bus |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2009 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Wellington Square consists of painted stucco terraces on three sides with the fourth side open to King's Road. It was named after the Duke of Wellington, whose brother was Rector of Chelsea from 1805-1836 and whose body lay in state nearby in the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital after his death in 1952. The original York stone paving slabs remain around the square. In 1928 the garden enclosure was owned by three clergymen and leased to Messrs. C H Belsey and A Boys on a 74 year lease, running until c.2006. The lessees had responsibility for the upkeep of the garden, which was accessible to them and those people they authorised to use it; at that time it was described as 'A long narrow enclosure overlooked by dwelling-houses. Maintained as a grass plot with some small trees'.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ276783 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0466 |
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1830s |
| Designers | Francis Edwards |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 1-35 (consec.) Wellington Square |
| 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 | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Royal Hospital |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Rail Safeguarding Area. Strategic View corridor |
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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Avenue was part of the project to connect the Royal Hospital with William III's Kensington Palace in a scheme by Sir Christopher Wren approved in 1681, but which stopped short at King's Road. The Avenue was made partly through commonland, the rights to which were acquired in 1694 by the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, the extreme southern end originally part of Burton's Court. It now consists of a broad expanse of gravel with a gully each side, set between two rows of lime trees, a low post around the edge; it has fine views to Royal Hospital across Burton's Court.
The Avenue was part of the project to connect the Royal Hospital with William III's Kensington Palace in a scheme by Sir Christopher Wren approved in 1681, but which stopped short at King's Road. The Avenue was made partly through commonland, the rights to which were acquired in 1694 by the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, the extreme southern end originally part of Burton's Court. It now consists of a broad expanse of gravel with a gully each side, set between two rows of lime trees, a low post around the edge; it has fine views to Royal Hospital across Burton's Court.
These are private communal gardens provided for the residents of Markham Square, which was built from 1836 on the site of an old orchard on the former farmland of Box Farm. It was named after Pulham Markham Evans, the last owner of the farm, and the Markham family reputedly had common rights since 'the 29th year of Elizabeth'. The garden was laid out as a cherry orchard in 1935 in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V, and after WWII it was re-landscaped in the style of a country garden by the head gardener of the Royal Hospital. The garden now has shrub and flower beds with a central bed, lawn, an ornate seat, and a variety of trees including gingko.
The private communal garden was provided for residents of Tedworth Square, which was built in 1871 as part of the development of the Cadogan Estate. The land was acquired by the Cadogans in 1753 when Sir Hans Sloane's will divided his estate between his daughters, Mrs Stanley and Elizabeth Cadogan. Tedworth Square was named after the wife of Revd. George Sloane-Stanley, who came from Tedworth in Hampshire. The garden has mature plane trees, lawn, flowerbeds, and surrounded by modern railings backed by privet hedge.