In the Eighties developers wanted to replace Lexham Gardens’ green oasis with an underground car park. Salvation came from local resident Sir Cyril Taylor, businessman and adviser to Margaret Thatcher, who stepped in to buy the freehold of the Kensington garden from under the developers’ noses for £71,000.
Educator and social entrepreneur Sir Cyril Taylor teamed up with designer Wilf Simms to redesign and replant it. When the garden reopened in the summer of 1991, Lexham Gardens was awarded first prize in the All London Garden Squares Competition, competing against entries from 100 other squares.It was awarded first prize three more times, and came second in 2009; today it is still plain to see why.
The renovation divided the gardens into compartments, with a little stream, and overgrown, secret walks leading to an open lawn. Beyond that is a rose garden and everywhere you look the garden is bursting with interesting trees and plants.
