Wall Forming North Boundary of Public Gardens, Formerly St Georges Churchyard

The wall forming the northern boundary of the public gardens was originally part of St George's Churchyard. It dates from the 18th century, with early 19th century and later alterations. The wall is constructed of dull red brick, with the top nine courses made of London Stocks, and it features a flat stone coping, which is partly missing. There are brick buttresses on the north side. The wall runs east-west and stands approximately 4 meters high. About halfway along, there is a curved rebate. To the east, a pair of later segment-headed openings contains 20th century wrought-iron gates. There are some small openings that have been blocked, and the wall shows signs of patching and reinforcing with tie rods. An enamel plaque above the entrances states: "This site was originally the MARSHALSEA PRISON made famous by the late Charles Dickens in his work Little Dorrit." This wall once formed the southern boundary of the Marshalsea Prison, where Dickens's father was imprisoned.