Arundel Gardens
Encyclopedia
Arundel Gardens is a street in Notting Hill
, London
, located between Ladbroke Grove
and Kensington Park Road. It was built in the 1860s, towards the later stages of the development of the Ladbroke Estate
, until that time a largely rural area west of the expanding suburbs of London
.
with some experience of building speculation in Cheltenham
, acquired from the Ladbroke Estate
a freehold parcel of undeveloped land between the south side of what is now Arundel Gardens and the north side of Ladbroke Gardens. In around 1862-3 he granted building leases for the houses on the south side of the street (numbers 1-47), and around the same time granted leases to three other builders to construct houses on the north side of the street.
This was consistent with the usual pattern of development on the Ladbroke Estate
, which was for builders to purchase the right to build on a parcel of land, on which they would contract to construct a certain number of houses. They were obliged to pay a ground rent to the landowner, but in return were granted a 99-year lease on the property.
The Survey of London published by the Greater London Council
in 1963 was not impressed by Arundel Gardens, which it saw as representing a decline from the elegance of earlier parts of the Ladbroke Estate
. The street is described as “dull four-story ranges, that on the north side being faced with stucco and that on the south side being of stock brick with coarse flamboyant stucco enrichments”.
The houses on both sides of Arundel Gardens back onto elegant communal gardens, originally known as "pleasure grounds", or "paddocks", which are typical of the Ladbroke Estate
.
The original residents of the street tended to be middle or upper-middle class professionals, with around three or four servants, though a few were of a more bohemian character. The 1871 census shows the painter Anthony Montalba (1813-1884) living at 19 Arundel Gardens with four daughters, all artists, including Clara
, Ellen
, Hilda
and Henrietta
. The Montalba sisters were regular contributors to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
during the 1870's.
The 1881 census shows one Samuel Bennett, “editor and leader writer” living at number 13.
, which have been replaced by a modern block of flats. Most of the remaining Victorian buildings have had extra mansard stories or loft
conversions added, and most have been subdivided into flats, rather than remaining as single family residences for which purpose they were originally designed. A few of the stuccoed cornices are missing, and some of the houses on the south side have had their brickwork painted over. In 2008 the council planted a number of trees in the street. Otherwise the appearance of the street is much as it was when it was originally constructed.
A view of Arundel Gardens is shown in the 1999 film Notting Hill
.
The route of the Notting Hill Carnival
passes along Arundel Gardens.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, located between Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove is a road in west London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is also sometimes the name given informally to the immediate area surrounding the road. Running from Notting Hill in the south to Kensal Green in the north, it is located in North Kensington and straddles...
and Kensington Park Road. It was built in the 1860s, towards the later stages of the development of the Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
, until that time a largely rural area west of the expanding suburbs of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
History
In 1852 one Richard Roy, a solicitorSolicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
with some experience of building speculation in Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, acquired from the Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
a freehold parcel of undeveloped land between the south side of what is now Arundel Gardens and the north side of Ladbroke Gardens. In around 1862-3 he granted building leases for the houses on the south side of the street (numbers 1-47), and around the same time granted leases to three other builders to construct houses on the north side of the street.
This was consistent with the usual pattern of development on the Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
, which was for builders to purchase the right to build on a parcel of land, on which they would contract to construct a certain number of houses. They were obliged to pay a ground rent to the landowner, but in return were granted a 99-year lease on the property.
The Survey of London published by the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
in 1963 was not impressed by Arundel Gardens, which it saw as representing a decline from the elegance of earlier parts of the Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
. The street is described as “dull four-story ranges, that on the north side being faced with stucco and that on the south side being of stock brick with coarse flamboyant stucco enrichments”.
The houses on both sides of Arundel Gardens back onto elegant communal gardens, originally known as "pleasure grounds", or "paddocks", which are typical of the Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
.
The original residents of the street tended to be middle or upper-middle class professionals, with around three or four servants, though a few were of a more bohemian character. The 1871 census shows the painter Anthony Montalba (1813-1884) living at 19 Arundel Gardens with four daughters, all artists, including Clara
Clara Montalba
Clara Federica Montalba RWS was a British artist, chiefly known for her watercolour paintings of Venice. She was the eldest of four daughters of the Swedish-born artist Anthony Rubens Montalba, all of whom achieved considerable artistic success, though Clara was arguably the most accomplished and...
, Ellen
Ellen Montalba
Ellen Emeline Montalba was a British artist. She was born in Bath, England in 1842, one of four daughters of the Swedish-born artist Anthony Rubens Montalba and Emeline . She and her three sisters all attained high repute as artists...
, Hilda
Hilda Montalba
Hilda Montalba was a British artist.-Early life:Hilda Montalba was born in England in the mid 1840's, one of four daughters of the Swedish-born artist Anthony Rubens Montalba and Emeline...
and Henrietta
Henrietta Montalba
-Early life:Henrietta Montalba was born in 1856, the youngest of four daughters of Anthony Rubens Montalba and Emeline , all of whom would attain considerable success as artists. She was born in London. The 1871 British census shows Anthony Montalba living at 19 Arundel Gardens, Notting Hill,...
. The Montalba sisters were regular contributors to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Royal Academy summer exhibition
The Summer Exhibition is an open art exhibition held annually by the Royal Academy in Burlington House, Piccadilly in central London, England, during the summer months of June, July, and August...
during the 1870's.
The 1881 census shows one Samuel Bennett, “editor and leader writer” living at number 13.
Arundel Gardens today
The appearance of the street remains little changed today, except for numbers 43-47, on the corner of Ladbroke GroveLadbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove is a road in west London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is also sometimes the name given informally to the immediate area surrounding the road. Running from Notting Hill in the south to Kensal Green in the north, it is located in North Kensington and straddles...
, which have been replaced by a modern block of flats. Most of the remaining Victorian buildings have had extra mansard stories or loft
Loft
A loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...
conversions added, and most have been subdivided into flats, rather than remaining as single family residences for which purpose they were originally designed. A few of the stuccoed cornices are missing, and some of the houses on the south side have had their brickwork painted over. In 2008 the council planted a number of trees in the street. Otherwise the appearance of the street is much as it was when it was originally constructed.
A view of Arundel Gardens is shown in the 1999 film Notting Hill
Notting Hill (film)
Notting Hill is a 1999 British romantic comedy film set in Notting Hill, London, released on 21 May 1999. The screenplay was by Richard Curtis, who had written Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was produced by Duncan Kenworthy and directed by Roger Michell...
.
The route of the Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , London, UK each August, over two days...
passes along Arundel Gardens.
Notable residents
- Charles Samuel MyersCharles Samuel MyersCharles Samuel Myers FRS was a significant English psychologist, who coined the term shell shock. He was co-founder of the British Psychological Society and the National Institute of Industrial Psychology....
(1873–1946), psychologist, lived at 27 Arundel Gardens as a boy. In the 1881 census he is listed as an 8-year-old scholar living with his parents, four brothers and four servants. Myers coined the term shell shockShell ShockShell Shock, also known as 82nd Marines Attack was a 1964 film by B-movie director John Hayes. The film takes place in Italy during World War II, and tells the story of a sergeant with his group of soldiers....
and was co-founder of the British Psychological SocietyBritish Psychological SocietyThe British Psychological Society is a representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom. The BPS is also a Registered Charity and, along with advantages, this also imposes certain constraints on what the society can and cannot do...
and the National Institute of Industrial Psychology.
- Sir William Ramsay (1852-1916), lived at 12 Arundel Gardens from 1887 to 1902. He was Professor of Chemistry at University College, London, and discoverer of the gases Neon, Argon, Krypton and Xenon, for which he won the 1904 Nobel Prize for Chemistry (the first British scientist to be honoured in this way).
External links
- http://www.arundelladbrokegardens.co.uk. History of Arundel Gardens. Retrieved Feb 7 2010
- http://www.ladbrokeassociation.org/ History of Arundel Gardens at the Ladbroke Association webpage. Retrieved Feb 7 2010