Brown Hart Gardens
The gardens on a substation.
Location: Duke Street, Mayfair, W1K 6WP
Description: Brown Hart Gardens, is a curious public garden on top of an electricity substation close to Bond Street station.
It dates back to 1889 when a communal garden was laid for what were then working class dwellings in nearby Brown Street and Hart Street. In 1902 the gardens were removed to accommodate an electricity substation topped in Baroque-style to a design by Charles Stanley Peach.
Upset locals protested claiming that it attracted 'disorderly boys' and 'verminous women'.
To appease and compensate angry local residents, the Duke of Westminster insisted that a paved Italian garden featuring trees in tubs be placed on top of the substation.
In 2013 the gardens were refurbished and a modern glass cafe included in the new design.
It's all part of the Grosvenor Estate and rules still apply 'No idle or disorderly person or person in an intoxicated, unclean or verminous condition is allowed in the garden. Games, quarrelling, shouting, singing and the practice of gymnastics are prohibited on penalty of prosecution.'
The gardens on a substation. |
Ranking This Month: 1140/3071
Pages Hit This Month: 46
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Barn Elms Kit Cat House», 4.3km
Joseph Banks lived here», 0.8km
The Garden Museum», 1.8km
Crystal Palace Maze», 7.1km
Vauxhall Park», 2.4km
Sutcliffe Park and The Quaggy», 8.7km
Whipps Cross Lido», 8.3km
Duck Island Cottage», 1.1km
Ruislip Lido: Young Ones!», 13.km
Painshill», 16.km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»