St Michael's Convent, (also known as Park Hill), Streatham Common North, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest:

A rare example of a surviving 19th century villa garden in south London. This 2 hectare garden was designed by J B Papworth for William Leaf in the mid 19th century and improved by Robert Marnock for Sir Henry Tate in the late 19th century.

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING

St Michael's Convent is situated on a high point to the north of Streatham Common. It is separated from the common by a major road, Streatham Common North, which acts as the southern boundary. The mid-1930s development of Benhurst Court provides the east boundary, and residential development fronting Streatham Common North and the Catholic comprehensive school, Bishop Thomas Grant, the boundary to the west. Property in Belltrees Road forms the boundary to the north. The main garden lies to the west of a north/south terrace and slopes gently to the west.

REFERENCES used by English Heritage:

W Keane, The Beauties of Surrey (1849), pp 81-84

Garden 29, (1886), pp 568-569

Garden History 16, no 1 (Spring 1988), pp 96-97

Maps

OS 6" to 1 mile: 1st edition published 1865

1933 edition

OS 25" to 1 mile: 2nd edition published 1891

Description written: February 1997

Amended: May 1998

Edited: July 2001