Trinity Square Gardens

Where History Meets the City

Trinity Square Gardens occupies a powerful place in London’s story. This small, formal park in Tower Hill was once the site of the Tower Hill scaffold, where an estimated 125 high-status prisoners were executed between the late 14th and late 18th centuries. Figures such as Sir Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, and Archbishop Simon Sudbury met their fate here, in the shadow of the Tower of London. The area’s grim past is now marked by a simple stone set in the paving, indicating the scaffold’s former position, and a memorial listing some of those executed. Today, the gardens offer a quiet contrast: a green, orderly space where the weight of history is felt but not overwhelming.

Memorials of Sacrifice

The gardens are dominated by two major war memorials that together form the Tower Hill Memorial, dedicated to merchant seamen and fishermen who died in both world wars and have no known grave. The First World War section, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, is a classical white stone pavilion inscribed with names. Steps lead down to the sunken Second World War section, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, with bronze plaques set into Portland stone walls and a central bronze mariner’s compass pool. Sculptures representing the seven seas stand along the walls, and a later addition commemorates merchant seamen lost in the Falklands conflict. These memorials make the gardens a place of national remembrance, where visitors often pause in quiet reflection.

A Garden in the Heart of the City

Laid out in 1797 by architect Samuel Wyatt as a setting for Trinity House, the gardens are a classic example of a London formal square. Lawns, flowerbeds, shrub borders, and mature trees are carefully arranged to provide interest throughout the year. The space is modest in size but well used by office workers, tourists, and locals seeking a moment of calm. Benches line the paths, offering places to sit and take in the surroundings, while the layout encourages gentle strolling rather than active recreation. The gardens are managed to a high standard and hold a Green Flag Award, reflecting their quality as a public open space.

Architecture and Views

The gardens are framed by some of London’s most distinctive buildings. To the north stands Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England and Wales, with its ship-shaped weathervane. To the west rises the grand former Port of London Authority building at 10 Trinity Square, now a luxury hotel, with its imposing classical façade and the figure of Father Thames. The gardens also include a stretch of London’s medieval wall, built on Roman foundations, with a modern statue of Emperor Trajan nearby. From within the park, there are fine views of the Tower of London and glimpses of modern landmarks like The Shard, creating a layered panorama of London’s past and present.