SITE DETAILS

Fuller information:

The square, formerly open fields in the vicinity of the Millbank Penitentiary, was laid out as a garden for the surrounding terraces of stucco houses between 1841-43. The garden was wedge-shaped and was bounded on its south side by Holy Trinity Church, by J L Pearson, which was subsequently demolished. In 1982 the terraces of Bessborough Gardens were destroyed for road improvements and the present gardens, now rectangular, were lined with buildings rebuilt in 1982-3 in C19th style. The new gardens were laid out asymmetrically within an irregular rectangle surrounded with modern railings. They contain several mature trees, a lawn crossed by stone and brick paths, seating areas and shrubberies. In the centre is the Queen Mother's Commemorative Fountain, the work of Sir Peter Shepheard (1982). It is made of aluminium and incorporates a cast of one of George Vulliamy's dolphin lamp standard bases from the Embankment.

Sources consulted:

Harold Clunn, the Face of London (c1950), p.251; Pevsner, p.635; Ben Weinreb & Christopher Hibbert, 'The London Encyclopaedia' (Macmillan, revised ed. 1993), p.60

Grid ref:	TQ298783
Size in hectares:	0.412
On EH National Register :	No
EH grade:
Site on EH Heritage at Risk list:
Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:	No
Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:	Yes
The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.
On Local List:
In Conservation Area:	No
Conservation Area name:
Tree Preservation Order:	No
Nature Conservation Area:	No
Green Belt:	No
Metropolitan Open Land:	No
Special Policy Area:	No
Other LA designation:	London Square