OXFORD

GARDENS Conservation Area Guide

Oxford Gardens Conservation AreaNorth Kensington has long had strong connections to the arts and is one of the most sought after areas in West London. The neighbourhood boasts fashionable boutiques, an array of restaurants and the world famous Portobello Market; attracting people from across the capital and around the globe. The majority of the district is occupied by the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area consisting of a number of very sought after residential streets, each demonstrating a rich tapestry of building styles and a fi ne example of Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Steeped in history and with much to off er, this thriving pocket of West London is the home of the modern Londoner.

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Early BeginningsIn the early 1800s, North Kensington was occupied by two farms: Portobello Farm and Notting Barns. Notting Barns, the largest of these two farms originally comprised of 225 acres with a farm house located at the junction of the now St Quintin Avenue and Chesterton Road. The house and the land were eventually passed from Thomas Darby of Sunbury to the St Quintin family who owned extensive estates and properties across the country.

It was not until the mid 1800s when North Kensington witnessed substantial growth which allowed more residential building to commence. Leading the efforts was Colonel St Quintin who lived in Yorkshire. He subsequently appointed English architect Henry Currey to supervise the development of St Quintin’s Estate. Currey, known for his ‘pavilion style’ began to lay out his plans for long, straight, parallel streets leading westward from Ladbroke Grove.

Cambridge Gardens, Oxford Gardens and Bassett Road were the first streets to be designed and 60-68 Cambridge Gardens the first to be built. These prime streets featured four storey terraced houses with centrally placed doorways flanked by columns and bay windows. Situated on tree-lined streets, the harmonious terraces boast ornate cornice lines, period detailing and decorative brickwork.

From 1905 onwards, the houses leading further west were built grouped in either pairs or terraces. The streets included Finstock Road, Highlever Road, St Quintin Avenue, Kellfield Gardens and Kingsbridge Road. These streets differ quite drastically from Cambridge Gardens and Bassett Road due to their Edwardian nature and red brick qualities. They are also shorter in appearance consisting of only two storeys, yet extend backwards to provide exceptional space. In most cases and seen on St Quintin Avenue, they include both front and rear gardens.

There are two dominant brick types used throughout the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area; London stock brick, a soft handmade brick made from yellow local clay was used predominantly for the back portion of buildings and a more expensive white brick was used for the houses façades for a bolder, more distinguished appearance. Coupled with the ornate gables, cornice lines, stucco frontages and bay windows as seen on Bassett Road; the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area continues to be an especially desirable patch of West London.

In just twenty years, over 200 houses were built proving that demand in the area was consistently high and developers expected this trend to continue. The quality and grandeur of the buildings are even reminiscent of the somewhat earlier mansions in the prestigious Pembridge Square in Notting Hill and the opulent houses associated with Holland Park, implying the target buyer for the area was, and still is, very much affluent.

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Local Area MapExploring the streets of the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area,

surprises can be found for all the family, with independant schools,

glorious shops, and a plethora of pubs and eateries.

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One of a kindIn 1974, residents of the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area proposed that the estate became a designated conservation area. The Great London Council welcomed this and suggested that a wider area including Oxford Gardens, Bassett Road and Cambridge Gardens, east of St Mark’s Road be included. This happened partly in response to the threat to the area from proposals for a Channel Tunnel terminal, and partly because of an active residents group keen to protect this part of London. In 1975 Oxford Gardens Conservation Area was designated, which was comparatively early in the history of conservation areas in the Borough. Over 70 per cent of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is covered by 35 separate conservation areas. The council take seriously the safeguarding of areas of heritage, especially areas of architectural and historical significance.

It was stated by the Greater London Council that ‘the special nature of the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area appears to lie in the homogenous nature of a number of different housing concepts rather than any specific focal point’ making it the only conservation area in the capital of its kind.

Although a popular area for young professionals seeking to absorb all aspects of London life, the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area is especially favoured by families boasting an array of activities and leisure facilities. It is also home to many top London schools such as Notting Hill Preparatory and Bassett House School.

The Hammersmith and City RailwayThe Metropolitan Railway and the branch line from Paddington to Hammersmith, built in the 1860s, was the world’s first underground railway. Developers of the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area hoped the introduction of this new concept would aid in attracting a new clientele of city workers to the area. The Underground provided great access to the city’s financial heart; suburban living had for the first time become possible. With this feature still standing strong today, attracting many to live in the fashionable west of London, yet commuting to the City daily for work.

Fashionable, Famous & Flamboyant North Kensington TodayThis prosperous neighbourhood offers something for everyone, catering to all tastes and ages. There is a great eclectic mix of people and diverse cuisines and activities. As a result, demand for properties, both to rent and to buy in the area, continue to grow, with sellers and landlords enjoying all the benefits of the ever increasing prices.

Portobello Market is one of London’s most famous street markets. This cosmopolitan and vibrant hub is a major draw to the area boasting everything from first edition books and organic produce, vintage fashions and up-and-coming designers, all set within the charming backdrop of Notting Hill’s pastel painted Victorian architecture.

Combining Parisian Chic with a village type feel, Westbourne Grove is known in the Royal Borough for its plethora of designer stores, bespoke boutiques and exclusive and high-end eateries. It rivals the very best of the West End yet remains a peaceful pocket of London far from the hum of the city centre.

Just a stone’s throw away at White City, Westfield provides 150,000m² of retail indulgence, and is one of London’s largest indoor shopping centres. Home to an array of high street shops alongside a vast collection of designer brands such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton, it caters for every taste and even boasts a cinema and an assortment of restaurants and bars on site.

Culture abounds the area also, with a firm emphasis on the arts. The Gate and the iconic Electric Cinema screen some of the world’s finest mainstream and independent films. These historic cinemas are a major draw for thousands of people every year and coincide perfectly with the creative feel of the area.

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I S T H E R E A N Y T H I N G W E H A V E M I S S E D ? Y O U R F A V O U R I T E S H O P,

R E S T A U R A N T O R A N Y T H I N G E L S E Y O U W O U L D L I K E T O S E E F E A T U R E D ?

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Musical ConnectionsThe neighbourhood has a rich inherent music history. The Clash, a famous UK punk band from the 1970s, was formed here and Bob Marley, a renowned Jamaican musician, recorded his most popular album named “Exodus” just a few streets away. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones, also owned homes in the area.

The front-man and primary songwriter of the famous British band Blur, Damon Albarn, owns a recording studio in this thriving community. It is here where he recorded Blur’s personal response to London 2012 and his metaphor for home. ‘Under the Westway’ refers to the main road artery in West London linking Paddington with Central London.

Sarm Studio’s on Basing Street belonging to Trevor Horn was where the classic songs such as ‘We Are the Champions’ by Queen and ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by Band Aid were recorded.

Green FingersSt Quintin Avenue Community Kitchen Garden was a disused tennis court that has been transformed into a community kitchen garden where local residents grow their own produce. The site is used by over 100 local people and groups, to grow a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. The garden consists of 48 raised wooden beds and provides a local food-growing centre.

The garden has an amazing ambience, which has helped foster a great community spirit. St Quintin’s Garden won the second prize in the community food-growing category ‘London in Bloom’ in 2010.

SchoolsN O T T I N G H I L L P R E P A R A T O R Y

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