Grosvenor Square facts for kids

The north side of Grosvenor Square in the 18th or early 19th century. The three houses at the far left form a unified group, but the others on this side are individually designed. Most later London squares would be more uniform.

Grosvenor Square is a very large and beautiful garden square in London, England. It is found in a fancy part of the city called Mayfair. This special square belongs to the Duke of Westminster. It's a place where you can find a memorial for the 9/11 events and statues of important American presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Grosvenor Square is also famous for being the home of the American embassy in England for many years.

A Special Place for America

Grosvenor Square has a long and important connection with the United States. It has often been called "Little America" because of this strong link. For a long time, the American embassy was located right here. This made the square a key spot for American activities and visitors in London.

Honoring US Presidents

You can find statues of two famous American presidents in Grosvenor Square. One is for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president during World War II. The other is for Ronald Reagan, who was president in the 1980s. These statues show the close friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Remembering 9/11

There is also a special memorial garden in Grosvenor Square. It remembers the people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks in 2001. This quiet garden is a place for reflection and peace.

The Square's History

Grosvenor Square was first built in the 1720s. It was designed to be a grand and open space for the wealthy people living in the surrounding houses. Over the years, many important and famous people have lived in or visited the buildings around the square.

From Private to Public

For a long time, the central garden of Grosvenor Square was private. Only the people living in the nearby houses could use it. But now, the garden is a public park. This means anyone can visit and enjoy its green space and quiet atmosphere. It's a lovely spot to relax in the middle of busy London.

Images for kids

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  The central garden in Grosvenor Square, now a public park (pictured November 2008)

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  Macdonald House, which has since been demolished, was used as the U.S. Embassy from 1938 to 1960, and then by the High Commission of Canada from 1961 to 2014

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  The former American embassy building (1960–2018) on the western side of Grosvenor Square is now a hotel

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  11 September 2001 memorial garden