Description
These private communal gardens were provided for residents of the houses of Creswell Gardens that back onto it, which were built as part of the Gunter Estate. The development of the estate took place from the 1840s onwards, and Cresswell Gardens was built at the latter phase of the development, in 1884-5.
Practical Information
| Site location | Cresswell Gardens, off Old Brompton Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW5 |
| What3Words | ///either.quench.horns |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Kensington & Chelsea |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Tube: Gloucester Road, South Kensington (District, Circle, Piccadilly) |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Cresswell Gardens was built in 1884-5 as part of the Gunter Estate development in the area and was named after Cresswell Lodge. The Gunter family had made their money selling confectionery and had begun to acquire land in the area from the latter part of the C18th; James Gunter had become a partner of successful Italian pastrycook Domenico Negri, whose business at 7 Berkeley Square was established in 1757 and soon became prosperous. James began investing his money in land in the then rural area around Brompton Lane (now Old Brompton Road), including a house to the north, Earls Court House, where the family lived. When his son Robert inherited the business on his death in 1819 the land holding was considerable. But although some plots had been let for building by the mid 1840s, 73 of the estate's c.81 acres remained undeveloped and leased to farmers and market gardeners. From the late 1840s Robert Gunter began to develop the estate lands, beginning with The Boltons (q.v.) and moving north and east with large houses and terraces. His sons James and Robert continued to develop the estate following his death in 1852. George Godwin was appointed estate surveyor in 1848. By then, Godwin, who was local to Kensington, already had useful experience as District Surveyor for South Islington, and had erected one or two houses on Fulham Road with his father, also an architect or builder. As estate surveyor Godwin was responsible for the overall street layout and amenities, and overseeing the work undertaken by the contractors and developers who leased the building plots.
In 1884 the site of what became Nos. 1-9, 14-17 Cresswell Gardens was let to G. J. Spicer, solicitor, son of John Spicer who had taken numerous leases for development on the estate from 1850s-70s. The houses were designed by architect Maurice Hulbert. Nos. 10-12 were built in 1937.
In 1884 the site of what became Nos. 1-9, 14-17 Cresswell Gardens was let to G. J. Spicer, solicitor, son of John Spicer who had taken numerous leases for development on the estate from 1850s-70s. The houses were designed by architect Maurice Hulbert. Nos. 10-12 were built in 1937.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ261783 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1884-85 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Kensington & Chelsea |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | The Boltons |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Article 4 Direction: 10-12 Cresswell Gardens |
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.
Nearby parks and gardens
Gledhow Gardens are private communal gardens provided for residents of the houses that surround it, which were built as part of the Gunter Estate development that took place from 1840s onwards. Named after Gledhow Hall in Yorkshire, like other streets on the estate this reflects the Gunter family connections in the West Riding. The garden was laid out with lawns, flowerbeds and trees. Lessees of housing abutting and those in nearby Bolton Gardens had access, on payment of rent for its upkeep. It is now owned by the residents.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Private communal gardens provided for residents of the houses that surround it, which were built as part of the Gunter Estate development that took place from 1840s. This area of the estate was the first to be developed and the garden is bisected by the oval site containing St Mary's Church also built by George Godwin, the Gunter Estate surveyor. The garden was laid out with trees, shrubs, lawns and flower beds.
Private communal gardens provided for residents of the houses that surround it, which were built as part of the Gunter Estate development that took place from 1840s. This area of the estate was the first to be developed and the garden is bisected by the oval site containing St Mary's Church also built by George Godwin, the Gunter Estate surveyor. The garden was laid out with trees, shrubs, lawns and flower beds.
Private communal gardens provided for residents of the houses that surround it, which were built as part of the Gunter Estate development that took place from 1840s onwards. The northern area of the estate was developed from 1865 encouraged by the arrival of the railway. Bina Gardens West was built in 1883 and the garden was formally laid out with lawns, flowerbeds and trees. Lessees of housing abutting the gardens and those in nearby streets had access on payment of rent for its upkeep.