St Luke's Gardens
Please note no barbeques are permitted in the park.
New play area for St Luke’s Gardens
A new play area will be installed at St Luke’s Gardens. The works will start on 22 January 2024 and are expected to be completed by the end of March 2024.
The play area will include a climbing dome, swings, roundabout, inground trampoline, slides, and balancing equipment. Within the climbing rock area 2 climbing rocks will be replaced with a game top picnic table, and a table tennis table.
The work follows on from the public consultation exercise carried out in late 2022. The results from the consultation were incorporated to form a design brief for the play area. This was put out to open tender, and was awarded to Kompan UK Ltd.
For further details on the consultation exercise please follow the link to St Luke’s Gardens - Proposed Improvements.
Other play areas
We apologise for any inconvenience caused whilst the play area and climbing rock areas are closed. Your nearest alternative play areas are:
- Westfield Park: a 22-minute walk
- Battersea Park: a 23-minute walk
- Ifield Road: a 26-minute walk
- Redcliffe Square: a 26-minute walk
About St Luke's Gardens
St Luke's Gardens is a staffed park with the following facilities:
- unusual and attractive flower display
- new children's playground
- games area
The park is a popular relaxation area when visiting the King’s Road. It is also available for use and enjoyment by local residents.
Address
Sydney Street SW3
Opening times
7.30am until dusk.
Book to play sports
You can book the games area at St Luke’s Gardens.
To book or for more information call Chelsea Sports Centre on telephone:020 7352 6985.
History of St Luke's Gardens
At the end of the 18th century, the growth of the population in Chelsea increased the demand for burial grounds. A site was chosen near to the Kings Road burial grounds and the new St Luke’s graveyard was consecrated in 1812. A perimeter wall and 9ft railings were installed around the site as protection against grave robbers.
The growing population also meant that the original parish church was now seen as too small. Designs were commissioned for a new parish church to sit at the centre of the St Luke’s burial grounds. James Savage was chosen as the architect. The foundation stone for the church was laid in October 1820.
St. Luke’s is one of the first Neo-Gothic churches to be built in London. The nave, 60ft in height, is the tallest of any parish church in London, and the tower reaches a height of 142 feet. English Heritage has listed St Luke’s Church as Grade I and the gardens are Grade II listed. This is on the ‘Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest in England'.
St Luke’s Gardens ceased to be a burial ground around 1857 and was converted into a public garden in 1881. The gravestones were moved to form a boundary wall that is still present today.
A grant from the London County Council in 1887 helped to develop the gardens. James Veitch, a local nurseryman and prominent plant collector, assisted with the planting of the formal gardens.
During the Second World War, the park suffered from bomb damage. The original railings surrounding the park were removed in the early 1940s.
Map
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