In early October, Imperial’s Continuous Improvement Works team will undertake a project to restore nature to the eastern side of the Queen’s Tower through the introduction of wildflower planting.
This project follows a number of successful greening interventions across South Kensington Campus over the past 18 months, including the refurbishment of Beit Quad and planting campaigns on the Queen’s Lawn and Prince's Gardens.
As part of this project, the car parking area adjacent to the Queen’s Tower will be transformed into an attractive landscaped space featuring extensive new planting designed to support wildlife ecosystems, increase biodiversity and create a more welcoming setting at Imperial’s most iconic landmark.
Above: examples of flower types which may be used in the completed area. Below: a blueprint of how the completed area may look, including new pathway and timber benches.
The proposals include a new decked walkway with durable timber benching running its length. This will create more welcoming seating space for staff, students and visitors to enjoy during breaks and at lunchtime.
We will also be exploring the introduction of "talking benches" within the space. These dedicated benches are designed to reduce loneliness, and have been trialled by other UK universities and charities as a way of strengthening social cohesion.
To enable these improvements, a small number of parking spaces will be permanently removed from the area. These spaces have already been unavailable for extended periods during the Queen's Tower restoration programme and subsequent construction works, and with alternative parking provision available elsewhere on campus, the change is not expected to have a significant practical impact.
These enhancements will create a greener and more biodiverse environment at the heart of South Kensington, while providing additional opportunities for our community to spend time outdoors and connect with one another.
The project is expected to commence in early October and complete in December 2026.