College Green (aka Abingdon Green,[1] formally known as Abingdon Street Gardens) is a public park in the City of Westminster in Central London.[2] It is east of Westminster Abbey including Westminster Abbey Gardens and across a road from the gardens of the Houses of Parliament.[2] The gardens are not enclosed and are accessible at all times.[2] For many months of 2019, during the Brexit deadlock, it exclusively hosted TV broadcasts and radio and media interviews.

College Green
College Green
Map
TypePublic Park
LocationLondon
Nearest cityWestminster
Coordinates51°29′52.6″N 0°7′34.2″W / 51.497944°N 0.126167°W / 51.497944; -0.126167

The park is a common place for television reporters to interview Members of Parliament.[3] Henry Moore's bronze sculpture Knife Edge Two Piece 1962–65 is in the gardens.[2]

The gardens are a roof to a two-storey underground car park constructed from 1963 to 1964.[4] The site was originally a tidally flooded bank of the River Thames separated from the College Garden of Westminster Abbey by a medieval wall with a watergate. Its name refers to the collegiate church of Westminster Abbey, which includes Westminster School.

References

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  1. ^ "Regulations or bylaws relating to the use of Abingdon Green (also known as College Green) by members of the public and the media" (PDF). FOI 3071. UK: www.parliament.uk. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Abingdon Street Gardens". City of Westminster. London. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  3. ^ History in the making BBC News, 12 May 2010
  4. ^ Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Administration Committee (18 April 2007). Improving facilities for educational visitors to Parliament: first report of session 2006-07, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. The Stationery Office. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-0-215-03355-0. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
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