King Square, London facts for kids
King Square is a cool open space in the middle of London. You can find it in the St Luke's part of the London Borough of Islington. It's right where Lever Street and Central Street meet. It also connects to King Square Gardens on its west side.
Think of King Square as two green areas. One is a bit more private, surrounded by buildings. The other is King Square Gardens, which uses the street called 'Square' on one side, and Lever Street and part of Goswell Road on the others.
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What's Around King Square?
This square is surrounded by lots of interesting places. You can find restaurants and cafes to grab a bite. There's also a newsagent's, a flower shop, and a pub. The area has modern-looking, mid-rise apartment buildings.
Historic Buildings Nearby
The old St Clement's Church from the 1800s stands right in a corner of the square. Across Central Street, you'll find the Thistle City Barbican Hotel.
History of King Square
King Square has a long and interesting past.
How King Square Began
The square was first planned between 1822 and 1825. It was built on land owned by St Bartholomew's Hospital. Back then, it had big houses for rich Londoners. They wanted to live close to the City, which was a busy business area. The square was named after King George IV, who was the king of the British Empire at the time.
Changes Over Time
In 1824, a church called St Barnabas (now St Clement's) was finished in the square. During the Victorian Era, the area changed a lot. Poorer Londoners started living there, and the big houses were split into smaller apartments.
The square was badly damaged during the Blitz in World War II. This was when German planes bombed London. The old houses were torn down in the 1950s.
A Famous Visitor
It's believed that a famous Russian leader named Lenin stayed in King Square for a few weeks in 1907. He was in London for a meeting of a political group called the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
Modern King Square Estate
In 1959, the local council decided to build new homes around the square. This project, called the King Square Estate, was finished in 1965. The buildings were made from pre-cast concrete.
Key Buildings in the Estate
- Turnpike House: This is the tallest tower and was completed in 1965. It stands west of King Square Gardens. It has an arch at ground level that leads into the park.
- President House: This is a group of six-story buildings. It was built north of the park.
Getting to King Square
It's easy to get to King Square using public transport.
Bus Routes
The closest bus stops are on nearby Goswell Road. You can catch bus route 4 and bus route 56 there. City Road also has bus route 43.
Tube and Train Stations
The square is about a 10-minute walk from several underground stations:
It's also about a 12-minute walk from Farringdon station, which has both tube and train services.
