Square Dancing

What make a square a square? I’ve been thinking about that question, as I’ve reviewed rather a lot of them for Qype.

I think when most folks talk about squares, they mean the grand, open, paved type like Trafalgar Square. But that’s not really the typical square in London. For me reviewing squares started with the Eastenders archetype, in the shape of Albion Square: a pretty garden with railings, surrounded by houses. Or another similar example: Fassett Square, the square that nearly got used to film Eastenders.

Of course, a square doesn’t have to be square. Those last 2 mentioned are rectangular. And I’d argue you could include circles (Arnold Circus), or ovals (Thornhill Square).

What makes a square then? Is it a meeting place and focal point (It would be hard to beat Arnold Circus with its mound and bandstand)? Or a pretty garden to sit in, or a war memorial (picturesque Thornhill Gardens needs a look-in on both those counts). Or a convenient strip of grass to eat your lunch in the centre of London (Soho and Argyle squares come to mind). Is the best square one that has grass, flower beds, a small hill, a playground and grand houses and a church overlooking it (Thornhill Square). Or is that going too far and becoming a park?

There is certainly more to squares than just being square.