Christchurch Gardens

Christchurch Gardens is a small public garden on Victoria Street in the City of Westminster, London. It sits on the site of a former burial ground and a church that no longer exists, and today it works as a quiet green pause between the office blocks and busy pavements of the area.

What is Christchurch Gardens?

The garden is a compact urban green space in central London, a short walk from Westminster's best-known landmarks. It is not a large park with long paths, but a place to sit for a few minutes, eat lunch outdoors or stop during a walk along Victoria Street. Its name comes from Christ Church, the church that once stood on this very spot.

How did the site begin?

The story starts in 1625, when land here was given for a burial ground serving St Margaret's, Westminster. In the late 1630s a chapel of ease was added for local worshippers. The building known as Broadway Chapel was raised in 1638-41, and it was later replaced by a new Christ Church designed by Sir Ambrose Poynter and built in 1841-44. The church was a Church of England place of worship, and its Broadway name tied it to the street layout of old Westminster.

Among the people buried in the ground were Thomas Blood, the adventurer remembered for his attempt to steal the Crown Jewels, and Wenceslaus Hollar, the Bohemian-born printmaker who documented seventeenth-century London.

What happened to the church?

Christ Church was destroyed in the Blitz in 1941. After the war the ruins were cleared, and the tower was taken down in 1954. The site was turned into a public garden around 1950, so the green space you see today is a direct result of wartime loss and post-war reuse.

Why was Victoria Street built here?

Victoria Street was cut through this part of Westminster in the mid-nineteenth century under the Westminster Improvement Act. The project aimed to clear the crowded slum housing known as the Devil's Acre. The new street changed the character of the district completely, and Christ Church was part of the new Victorian streetscape.

What memorials are in the gardens?

Two memorials give the garden its cultural weight:

• Suffragette Monument, erected in 1970, honours the women who held meetings at nearby Caxton Hall in the early twentieth century and campaigned for votes for women.
• Statue of Henry Purcell, a bronze added in 1995, commemorates the Baroque composer who was associated with Westminster.

Both are easy to find and make the garden a modest stop for anyone interested in British political and musical history.

Has the garden changed recently?

Yes. In 2020 the gardens were re-landscaped after an improvement scheme carried out by Victoria BID together with Westminster City Council. The aim was to refresh the planting and the seating of a space used daily by commuters, residents and visitors.

When is the best time to visit?

The garden is small, so a visit takes only a short time. Spring and summer bring the most greenery, while lunchtime is when local workers fill the benches. For a quieter moment, go earlier in the day. It combines naturally with a walk to Westminster Abbey, Caxton Hall and other sights in the neighbourhood.

Frequently asked questions

Is Christchurch Gardens free to enter? It is a public garden in the street, so there is no ticket. Check local signage for any opening arrangements.

Is there still a church here? No. Christ Church was destroyed in the Blitz in 1941, and the tower was demolished in 1954.

What can I see there? The main features are the planted garden, the Suffragette Monument and the bronze statue of Henry Purcell.

Who is buried on the site? The old burial ground is linked with Thomas Blood and Wenceslaus Hollar, among others.

How long should I plan for a visit? Ten to twenty minutes is enough, longer if you want to sit and read the memorials.