Jellicoe Gardens at King’s Cross Opens to the Public

After commencing works in October 2020, Jellicoe Gardens in King’s Cross is now complete. Maylim worked as Principal Contractor for Argent in partnership with Aga Khan Development Network. 

The opening of Jellicoe Gardens represents a significant new public space in the northern quarter of the King’s Cross Estate; providing a tranquil oasis for local residents and visitors. It is the latest addition to the 26 acres of public realm available at King’s Cross which includes iconic spaces such as Coal Drops Yard and Gasholder Park, which Maylim also had the pleasure of delivering.

The gardens pay tribute to Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe; a Camden resident, renowned architect, town planner, landscape architect and garden designer. Tom Stuart-Smith worked with Townshend Landscape Architects, the masterplan landscape architects for King’s Cross, to design a garden that reflects the traditions of Persian garden designs. Taking inspiration from the Bagh-e Fin historical garden, located in modern day Iran, Jellicoe Gardens celebrates Persian heritage and landscape traditions where sunlight, shade and water are perfectly balanced to create a place of calm, comfort and quiet reflection.

Through the centre of the space runs a singular channel, interrupted by small square pools of water. This leads the public through the Gardens, towards a pavilion overlooking a larger pool and onward to various seating areas. The pavilion includes an axial water feature and roof patterns inspired by traditional Islamic Girih tiling. The naturalistic drifts of planting are developed from the traditional English herbaceous border. The planting has an informal, meadow-like character, drawing the eye across swathes of colour and texture.