St Andrew’s Gardens is a wonderfully relaxed park with a natural, un-manicured feel.
The gardens teem with greenery, a wildflower meadow and even some fruit trees. Sunlight dapples its way through, yet the gardens offer shade where needed.
The grounds of St Andrew’s Gardens were consecrated in 1754 as an offsite burial ground for the Parish of St Andrew’s Holborn. It closed for burial in 1850 and was reopened by Lady John Manners as a public garden in 1885. A plaque commemorating its opening can be found when entering the gardens from the Trinity Court Gate.
There are still gravestones and tombs on site, with the likes of the genius influential poet Thomas Chatterton finding his final resting place in St Andrew’s Gardens after he was reinterred from the pauper’s graveyard in Shoe Lane when it closed. John Hilder, landscape painter and others from this family, John Whitehurst, clockmaker, scientist and geologist were amongst those laid to rest in St Andrew’s Gardens.
Where the Art Deco building of Trinity Court now stands stood the Church of Holy Trinity. This church, designed by Sir James Pennethorne, was built in 1837 and seated 1500 people. It closed in 1928.
St Andrew’s Gardens has 3 magnificent wrought iron and listed entrance gates. It has wonderful examples of the famous London Plane tree, an ancient Weeping Ash and a breathtaking example of a Ceanothus in one of the central plantations.
Today the Friends of St Andrew’s Gardens (FOSAG) work with Camden and local residents to protect the garden’s unique appeal for present and future generations.
Join us or get in contact via email at contact@fosag.org.uk if you want to help with gardening and maintenance.