Description
Westbourne Gardens, roughly triangular in plan, have a dominant terrace at the western base. Originally a private garden, it was acquired by WCC and opened to the public in the C20th. The asphalt paths are a simplified version of the pattern surveyed in 1862, and are possibly original. The garden boundary has recent railings and is planted with lime trees; within the garden there are several notable London plane trees, with shrubs and bedding displays.
Practical Information
| Site location | Westbourne Gardens |
|---|---|
| Postcode | W2 |
| What3Words | ///late.cope.rubble |
| Type of Site | Garden Square |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Public Transport | Tube: Royal Oak (Hammersmith & City) |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In the C20th the garden enclosure was owned under a life tenancy by a Captain A Hall-Hall and leaseholders of houses were bound to contribute to its upkeep although they had no rights in respect of the garden. In 1928 it was described only as 'shrubbery'. Now owned by Westminster City Council and publicly accessible, the garden has asphalt paths that are a simplified version of the pattern surveyed in 1862 and shown on the 1882 OS map, and thus are possibly original. The garden boundary has recent railings and is planted with lime trees and within the garden there are several notable London plane trees, with shrubs and bedding displays.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ256813 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.113 |
| Site Ownership | WCC |
| Site Management | Parks Service (Contractors: Continental Landscapes Ltd) |
| Dates | Mid C19th |
| 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 | Westbourne |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | London Square |
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
Kildare Gardens is a small town square, part of a development of c.1850-55. The garden was provided for the use of residents of the surrounding houses and was maintained by a Committee of residents. The garden remains in the private ownership of Kildare Gardens Committee although it is now open to the public. Re-landscaping was carried out in the early 1990s and included a serpentine brick path through the garden, which is now part grassed and part brick-paved. The path meanders through the garden from one entrance to a circular seating feature at the other end and a small informal grass area at the heart of the space.
Porchester Square is a mid-C19th square completed by 1858, one of the last areas of Bayswater to be developed. The overall layout was overseen by George Gutch, the surveyor of the Bishop of London's extensive Paddington Estate from 1822. The garden was provided for the private use of occupiers of the square, and was managed by a Committee of occupiers. Porchester Square Gardens were acquired by Paddington Borough Council and opened to the public in 1955. Only the peripheral walk relates to the original layout, and the planting, beds and path layout have since been remodelled.
Kensington Gardens Square in Bayswater is a mid-C19th town square of stucco-fronted houses, originally built as family houses for members of the then-emerging professional classes. The communal garden, which continues to be for the private use of residents of the surrounding houses, is roughly triangular, and is divided east / west by a terrace of houses to create two discrete garden areas. The gardens' railings were removed in WWII and replaced with wire mesh, although replica wrought-iron railings have been reinstated as part of the upgrading of the gardens. The gardens are largely lawn, with shrubs and a perimeter path; among the trees are a number of fine London planes.
