The London Inventory is a comprehensive database of more than 2470 public parks, gardens, squares, cemeteries and churchyards of local historic interest, not forgetting historic greens and commons, the culmination of a research project first instigated in 1994, soon after the Trust was founded. The aim was to identify and celebrate the wealth of historic sites across the 610 square miles that comprise Greater London. It is now the largest survey of parks and gardens of local historic interest in the capital.
The criteria used to establish whether a site should be included are that it should be at least 30 years old and have some element of formal layout or landscape design, or have important social history attached to it. The information collected includes local history, site description, size, information on ownership and management, access, public transport and local authority designations such as Metropolitan Open Space, Nature Conservation Areas, Tree Protection Orders and Conservation Areas. A selection of relevant maps, engravings and photographs are also being collected.
In 2008 funding was raised to make the Inventory available online in a dedicated website. London Gardens Online was launched in 2009 and information is gradually being uploaded from the Inventory database. The 3-year project aims to be completed by late 2011. In the first instance core information on all the sites is being uploaded and full information will follow. The website will be regularly updated as the Inventory database grows. Comments and new information from visitors to the site are most welcome.
The list of sites below includes all those currently on the Inventory, with those uploaded onto London Gardens Online indicated by a link. If you would like information for a site that is not yet uploaded, please email: sally.williams at londongardensonline dot org dot uk.