Vincent Square


Vincent Square is a grass-covered square in Westminster, London, England, covering 13 acres, lined with mature trees including London Planes. In among a network of backstreets, it chiefly provides playing fields for Westminster School, who own it absolutely; otherwise, it functions as a green lung and a view for the homes, hotel and other organisations adjoining. Nine of its adjoining buildings have been given strict statutory architectural recognition and protection.

History and use

It was developed in the 18th century on land originally known as Tothill Fields, and was named after William Vincent, a former Dean of Westminster and headmaster of Westminster School. Previous uses include a large burial pit for victims of the Great Plague of London, a jail named Tothill Fields Bridewell, and a well-known bear-baiting den recorded in the reign of Queen Anne. The space, facing buildings and certain others surrounding form the Vincent Square Conservation Area.
The square contains a cricket pavilion, four football pitches, about 10 tennis courts, and the groundsman's house, and is used on school weekdays by Westminster Under School. Other buildings fronting the square include the headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society. Outside of school bookings the courts host many fixtures of the Lords and Commons Tennis Club.

Notable buildings

Numbering is from the east corner, clockwise and applies to fewer than 87 buildings, from great mergers and additional road openings. Those listed in the initial, mainstream category of statutory recognition and protection are:
At rarer, Grade II* is:
In 1981, Westminster Under School opened in the building of the former Grosvenor Hospital for Women which had closed in 1976.

Indirect use

Vincent Square lends its name to a current electoral ward of the local authority, Westminster City Council. Its bounds are thus drawn up for approximately equal representation of the electorate. At the 2011 Census its population was 9,988.

Notable residents