Montpelier Garden (Ladbroke Estate) * (Kensington & Chelsea)
Brief Description
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Part of the Ladbroke Estate, laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.
Practical Information
- Site location:
- Lansdowne Road/Clarendon Road
- Postcode:
- W11
- What 3 Words:
- amused.shakes.army
- Type of site:
- Garden Square
- Borough:
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Open to public?
- No
- Opening times:
- private
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Tube: Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith & City). Bus: 23, 52, 70.
- Research updated:
- 01/10/2007
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.
Full Site Description
Ladbroke Estate: Site on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens, for Register Entry see https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list. The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England was established in 1984 and was commonly called English Heritage. In April 2015 it split into 2 separate entities, Historic England (HE), which continues to champion and protect the historic environment, and the English Heritage Trust, whose role is to look after the 400+ historic sites and monuments owned by the state. HE manages the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) that includes over 400,000 items ranging from prehistoric monuments to office blocks, battlefields and parks, which benefit from legal protection.
The Ladbroke Estate was laid out as a planned garden suburb with a coherent layout of concentric crescents and large communal gardens whose features were first suggested in a plan by architect and estate surveyor Thomas Allason in 1823. His scheme was later modified by others, including James Thomson, although he remained involved until his death in 1852. Building started in the 1840s; the outer concentric crescents date from the 1860s. During the lull in building development, the land was leased for a time for a racecourse, the Hippodrome, which operated from 1837-41. After Allason's death, artist and designer Thomas Allom was responsible for the next phase of development.
Montpelier Garden slopes to the west, largely open with fine mature trees. The garden curves between Lansdowne Road to the east with semi-detached villas of 1847, and terraced stucco houses of 1855-62, and terraced houses along Clarendon Road and Elgin Crescent to the west and north-west. The mid C19th meandering perimeter path survives but perimeter path lost. Scattered mature trees on the lawn include ash, poplar, horse chestnut, a weeping willow and a liquidamber. Iron gates were installed for 1977 Jubilee. Protected under 1863 Garden Square Act.
Sources consulted:
EH Register entry for Ladbroke Estate, 2002/3
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ243807 (524346,180717)
- Size in hectares:
- 0.6776
- Site ownership:
- private
- Site management:
- Date(s):
- 1840s-60s
- Designer(s):
- Thomas Allason, architect and surveyor (overall plan of Ladbroke Estate)
- Listed structures:
- LBII: 45 and 46 Lansdowne Road
- On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:
Yes- NHLE grade:
- Grade II
- Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:
No- Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:
Yes
Local Authority Data
The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.
- On Local List:
- No
- In Conservation Area:
- Yes
- Conservation Area name:
- Ladbroke
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- Yes - Borough Importance II
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- check
- Other LA designation:
- None
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.


