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. |
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