Iron Gates To Queen'S Gardens

The iron gates and gate screen date from the 1850s and were originally located in front of Plaistow Lodge, London Lane, Bromley. They were donated by Lord Kinnaird and formed the principal entrance of Queen's Gardens when the gardens were established in 1897, initially named Victoria Gardens to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. They were moved to their current location in 1990 following the loss of a portion of the park's northwest corner to the Glades Shopping Centre.

The gates consist of taller double gates on piers in the center, flanked by shorter screen sections and pedestrian wickets on either side. The main piers, 2.5 meters high, are hollow squares with decorative curvilinear panels and solid ogee heads, set with squat spikes. The railed screens to either side of the main gates are 3 meters long, terminating in side wickets hung on decorative cast-iron posts with acorn heads. A horizontal rail runs approximately 0.5 meters above the ground across the whole gateway, supporting intermediate rails beneath it and topped with spearhead spikes. Although not monumental, the gates are imposing and serve as the main architectural entrance to Queen's Gardens, providing access to the designed landscape. The gates are a good example of mid-19th century iron casting and a multi-element gatescreen ensemble, having been a prominent part of the municipal garden since its creation.