Description
York Square was part of the development of the Mercers' Company land that took place from the early C19th to coincide with the opening of the London Docks and the West India Docks. Plans were drawn up in 1823 by estate surveyor George Smith for the area north of the newly opened Commercial Road. He laid out a grid of streets focussed on a new square, later called York Square. Much of the original character is preserved today. The central garden was leased to the London County Council and was opened to the public in 1904.
Practical Information
| Site location | York Square |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E14 |
| What3Words | ///vows.wisdom.chimp |
| Type of Site | Garden Square; |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am - dusk |
| Public Transport | DLR: Limehouse. Bus: 15, 115, D3 |
| Research Updated | 1 May 2012 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This area is within the ancient parish of St Dunstan and Stebenheath, served by the church of St Dunstan's and All Saints (q.v.). Until the late C18th the parish consisted of a number of small hamlets and open land, much of the latter planted as market garden to supply London. The major landowner here was the Mercer's Company, which developed its estate in the early C19th to coincide with the opening of the London Docks and the West India Docks. Commercial Road was constructed and opened in 1810 to link the docks with the City of London and large houses were built on Commercial Road. In 1823 plans were drawn up by estate surveyor George Smith to develop the Mercers' land north of the new road with a grid of streets laid out around a new square as the focus. Later called York Square, this was the centrepiece of the eastern part of the Mercers' Estate, built mainly for skilled tradesmen and clerks.
York Square is little changed today, consisting of Regency-style 2-storey terraces, and the neighbouring Flamborough, Barnes, Wakeling, Bromley and Belgrave Streets are all of similar and well-preserved early C19th character. The Queen's Head pub was built c.1852; it was visited by the Queen Mother in July 1987.
The central garden of York Square was opened to the public in 1904. Still in the ownership of the Mercers Company as Trustees of a Foundation called or known as 'St Paul's School' founded by Dean Colet, this garden and also Arbour Square Garden (q.v.) were leased to the London County Council on a yearly tenancy of 1s per annum. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a small rectangular area enclosed by a low railing, and laid out with lawns and flower beds and a few small trees. Well-kept and attractive.' In 1969 (CA statement has 1973?) York Square was sold to the GLC, who renovated and modernised the houses.
York Square is little changed today, consisting of Regency-style 2-storey terraces, and the neighbouring Flamborough, Barnes, Wakeling, Bromley and Belgrave Streets are all of similar and well-preserved early C19th character. The Queen's Head pub was built c.1852; it was visited by the Queen Mother in July 1987.
The central garden of York Square was opened to the public in 1904. Still in the ownership of the Mercers Company as Trustees of a Foundation called or known as 'St Paul's School' founded by Dean Colet, this garden and also Arbour Square Garden (q.v.) were leased to the London County Council on a yearly tenancy of 1s per annum. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a small rectangular area enclosed by a low railing, and laid out with lawns and flower beds and a few small trees. Well-kept and attractive.' In 1969 (CA statement has 1973?) York Square was sold to the GLC, who renovated and modernised the houses.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ361812 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.0885 |
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets |
| Site Management | Leisure Services, Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1823-25; late C19th |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 1-8 and 9-16 York Square, Queen's Head Public House |
| 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 | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | York Square |
| 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
Former burial ground opened by the Non-conformist Stepney Meeting in 1779, which also built almshouses, a Meeting House and school here. The burial ground closed in 1853. The almshouses, school and Meeting House were bombed in WWII, and the small oblong burial ground was made into a public garden in 1976. It retains some chest tombs, head stones and ledger slabs, but formerly possessed fourteen large crypts.
Lady Jane Mico's Almshouses were built here in 1691 by the Mercers' Company, following a bequest of 1670 by Lady Jane Mico, wife of Mercer and Alderman Sir Samuel Mercer. Her endowment was to house 10 poor widows of London of 50 years and older. The almshouses were later rebuilt by the Company in 1856 when other improvements were made to the facilities. In 1965 the Mercers' began plans to rebuild new almshouses nearby under an agreement with the GLC, who took over responsibility for the original cottages. The new almshouses opened in 1976 and since 1980 the residents here have ceased to be recipients of Lady Mico's Charity. The cottages have a communal garden along the frontage, bounded by C19th railings to the roadway with mature lime trees; at the rear are small private gardens.
St James's Gardens were laid out and opened in 1913 on land granted by St James's Church, together with residual land from the 1908 Rotherhithe Tunnel cutting, to form a long strip of public gardens. A line of plane trees follows the retaining wall of the north side of the tunnel as it emerges into Branch Road. Re-landscaping was carried out with the building of the Limehouse Link in the 1980s with a bridge leading over the approach road; a raised brick flower bed was adjacent to the railings that form the boundary with Butcher Row, with a War Memorial nearby. The park remains largely grassed with mature trees, although re-landscaping was carried out in recent years, with new playground and paths.
