Kensington Roof Garden Landscape Design, London

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Landscape design for Kensington Roof Garden, London

RSA have been appointed to assist with the restoration of the Kensington Roof Gardens. Taking into account the evolution of the garden and the issues that affect its future, the conservation scheme will focus on the historical character of the landscape. The gardens are Grade II* listed (1998) and therefore the work requires liaison with English Heritage.

In 1935, the Vice-President of Barkers, Trevor Bowen had a vision of a roof garden to cover the 6th floor of the store in Wrights Lane, Kensington. This dream was realised by the landscape architect Ralph Hancock who designed and laid out the gardens. They opened to the public in 1938 and were the largest of their kind in Europe at the time.

The gardens were constructed around three themes – the Spanish Garden with its Court of Fountains and formal design; the Tudor Garden and Walkway constructed in traditional stone and the English Woodland Garden complete with stream and ducks.