| Mecklenburgh Square | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Square |
| Location | Bloomsbury, London, UK |
| Coordinates | 51°31′30″N 0°07′02″W / 51.52499°N 0.1173°W |
| Built | 1804-1825 |
| Architect | Joseph Kay, Eastern side |
| Architectural style(s) | Georgian |
| Governing body | Privately owned |
| Official name | Coram’s Fields with Mecklenburgh and Brunswick Squares |
| Designated | 1 October 1987 |
| Reference no. | 1000212 |
  Location of Mecklenburgh Square in Greater London | |
Mecklenburgh Square is a Grade II listed square in Bloomsbury, London. The square and its garden were part of the Foundling Estate, a residential development of 1792–1825 on fields surrounding and owned by the Foundling Hospital. The square was named in honour of King George III's queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It was begun in 1804, but was not completed until 1825.[1]
The area is renowned for its collection of well-preserved terraced houses that directly overlook the square and Mecklenburgh Square Garden.[2] The garden itself is accessible only to residents holding a key, except during special occasions like the Open Garden Squares Weekend when it is open to all visitors.[3][4]
The garden was laid out between 1809 and 1810 as the centrepiece of the newly developed Mecklenburgh Square; buildings on the eastern side were designed by architect Joseph Kay. The 2 acres (8,100 m2) garden is made up of formal lawns, gravel paths, mature plane trees and other ornamental trees. It contains a children's playground, and a tennis court. The east side of the garden is planted with plants native to New Zealand.[5]
To the west is Coram's Fields, and to the east is Gray's Inn Road, a major local thoroughfare. Goodenough College is a postgraduate residence and educational trust on the north and south sides of the square, and operates an academic-oriented hotel on the east side.[6] Russell Square tube station is located to the south-west of the square, and the railway termini King's Cross and St Pancras are a short walk north.[7]
Mecklenburgh Square, Brunswick Square and Coram's Fields are jointly listed Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.[8]
- ^ "A Georgian Square", Mecklenburgh Square Garden website.
- ^ Mecklenburgh Square Garden
- ^ "About", Mecklenburgh Square Garden website.
- ^ "Mecklenburgh Square WC1". Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Patterson Border", Mecklenburgh Square Garden website.
- ^ "The Goodenough". Goodenough College. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Mecklenburgh Square - Nearest stations". LondonTown.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Historic England, "Coram's Fields, and Brunswick and Mecklenburgh Squares (1000212)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 12 November 2017