Frequently Asked Questions

Access and use of our gardens are extended to our registered Members only; only Members, their families, and guests accompanied by Members are allowed in the Gardens. Unlike other garden squares which limit their membership to those residents living directly on the square, we are a charitable organisation that preserves the gardens for the use of those living within The Boltons Conservation Area, historically the Parish of St Mary The Boltons. As a result, we have a catchment broader than most other garden squares. Our neighbourhood catchment boundaries stretch from Old Brompton Road south to the Fulham Road and from Roland Way west to Finborough and Ifield Roads. If you live within The Boltons Conservation Area, you are eligible to apply for membership.

You will need to complete the New Applicants form and email it to admin@boltons.org.uk. Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to agree to our Byelaws and Rules before paying the Membership Fees and Key Fee. You will need to provide Photo ID and Proof of Address when you pick up your key. Memberships are offered at the discretion of The Boltons Garden Enclosures. Membership applications are processed annually, with existing subscribers receiving priority. Memberships are limited and, due to high demand for the gardens, we may be fully subscribed. We operate a waiting list identifying those who have applied for Membership and the date their application was received. When a Membership becomes available, the application at the top of the waiting list by date of application will be notified by email that a Membership is available. The offer must be taken up and the Membership Fees paid within 10 days of the offer being made.

The subscription year runs from 1st January to 31st December and is renewed on an annual basis. Memberships are not automatically rolled over.

How do I renew my membership? Annual renewal notices will be sent to current Members by email in mid-November. Due to high demand for keys, we request that Members renew their Memberships promptly, otherwise we are not able to guarantee access for the following year. Where a Member does not pay the annual Membership Fees in advance by 30th November preceding the new Membership year, your subscription will lapse and, regretfully, your membership will be terminated.

Unlike other garden squares which limit their membership to those residents living directly on the square, we are managed by a charitable organisation that preserves and protects the gardens for the use of those living within The Boltons Conservation Area, historically the Parish of St Mary The Boltons. As a result, we have a catchment broader than most other garden squares. We do not receive any funding or management support from the borough. We depend on subscription fees and donations to maintain the gardens. We offer the benefit of having two gardens, a North Garden and a South Garden, and our distinctive lens shape makes us unique amongst London's garden squares.

Your key allows access to both our North and South Gardens, which are separated by the church of St Mary The Boltons. The South Garden has two access gates, one at the southernmost point at the junction of The Boltons, Gilston Road and Tregunter Road, and the other on the East side of the gardens. The North Garden also has two gates, one on the East side near the church car park and the other on the West side.

Your key is battery operated. The battery life is normally around one year, depending on usage. Please ensure both sides of the key are clean to ensure optimal contact with the barrel of the lock. If your key still doesn’t work, you may need to replace the battery following the instructions below. If you have replaced the battery and are still experiencing problems, please contact us at admin@boltons.org.uk.

Please contact us immediately at admin@boltons.co.uk to deactivate your lost key and request a new one. You will need to pay a Key Fee of £75 for a replacement key.

Unfortunately, dogs are prohibited from the gardens at all times.

Where a Member does not pay the annual Membership Fees in advance by 30th November preceding the new Membership year, your subscription will lapse and, regretfully, your membership will be terminated.

If a Member does not pay the annual Membership Fees in advance by 30th November preceding the new Membership year, the membership is terminated, garden access will be suspended from 1st January, and you will have to re-apply as a New Applicant. Please be aware that due to high demand for the gardens, being a previous member does not guarantee that your application will be successful. If there are no memberships currently available, you will be added to our waiting list.

Unfortunately, we do not provide refunds for the annual Membership Fee or one-off Joining Fee.

The gardens are open daily between dawn and dusk.