Park of the week

216. Oakley Square Garden

Oakley Square, in Camden, is a peaceful place to sit and take a break. It was originally part of the Bedford Estate belonging to the Dukes of Bedford. It takes its name from the village of Oakley in Bedfordshire, which belonged to the family from the eighteenth century. The garden was laid out in 1845 and included terraces that survive only along its northern side. It was originally for the use of the Duke, his heirs and assigns, and those living in the square. It is now open to the public and was relandscaped in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The OS map of 1875 shows an elaborate formal garden layout with serpentine paths, two circular areas at either end of a central path running north-east to south-west and well planted. In 1928 the garden was described as 'a long enclosure of irregular shape, surrounded by a thick privet hedge. Attractively laid out with lawns and flower beds and contains some fine trees.' Today it is enclosed by a wire mesh fence and laid out with grass, serpentine walks, flower beds and mature London planes.

On the northern side some of the Victorian terraced housing still exists as well as the redbrick Working Men's College established in 1854. This is among the earliest adult education institutions established in the UK, and Europe's oldest extant centre for adult education.

At one corner is Oakley Square Gardens Lodge, a nineteenth century single storey stuccoed building with the Bedford family coat of arms is in a circular plaque supported by scrolled consoles. The lodge house was originally flanked by gates to bar traffic from the square but the gates were removed in 1893. From 1854 the square was home to St Matthews Church. It was demolished in 1977 but the old vicarage, now a private house, still stands. It was built in 1861 and designed by John Johnson in Gothic Revival style. Johnson who best known for his designs for Alexandra Palace.

There are no café or toilets.

Judith Field

Oakley Square Garden, Oakley Square, London NW1 1NH