Description
The Fitzhugh Estate is on land that was once part of Wandsworth Common, an area of which was enclosed in the 1850s for building the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building to house orphans of the Crimean War. The buildings, by then vacant and derelict, were acquired by the LCC in 1951 along with adjoining land for educational and housing purposes. The Fitzhugh Estate was built in 1953-55, designed along modernist principles to provide state-of-the-art social housing, consisting of five 11-storey blocks arranged within the landscape in such a way as to retain existing trees and provide views. At the time, the estate was highly regarded and seen as a blueprint for exemplary housing. The grounds have mature and more recently planted trees, shrub and flower beds set into lawns. A community garden run by residents has been set up in recent years.
Practical Information
| Site location | Trinity Road, Fitzhugh Grove, Wandsworth Common |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW18 3SD |
| What3Words | ///cubes.runs.vibes |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Wandsworth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Wandsworth Common then bus. Bus: 77, 219 |
| Research Updated | 19 April 2024 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The Fitzhugh Estate is on land that was once part of Wandsworth Common (q.v.). An area of the common was enclosed in the 1850s for building the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building (q.v.) to house orphans of the Crimean War, which later became vacant and derelict during the C20th. In September 1951 the LCC acquired the RVPB and adjoining land for educational and housing purposes. The Fitzhugh Estate was built in 1953-55, designed by architect John Leslie Martin of the LCC Architects Department under Oliver Cox, on part of land to south-west of the RVPB, and consists of five 11-storey blocks that were constructed and arranged within the landscape in such a way as to retain existing trees and provide views. The estate was commissioned as part of the wider post-war building programme, which strove to address housing shortages and the need to provide good quality homes for low-income families. In 1956 the first residents moved onto the Fitzhugh Estate, which was highly regarded for the modernism approach of its architectural team, and was seen as a blueprint for well-designed and forward-looking social housing suitable for modern living (see The Architects’ Journal, November 1956). There was full central heating, laundry facilities in each block, children's play areas with sandpits, and a social club. In 1939 John Leslie Martin and his wife, Sadie Speight, had published The Flat Book, which outlined their principles of design when living in the modern apartment.
The Fitzhugh Estate was locally listed by Wandsworth Council in 2018. In September 2020 a feasibility study was initiated by Wandsworth Regeneration Team to build more flats on the estate, although this would encroach on the grounds, but to date (April 2024) nothing has been agreed. Local groups including Fitzhugh Grove Residents Association continue to work together to prevent unsuitable development taking place on the estate. Early proposals included building an additional 57 flats over 2 blocks, one of 3-4 storeys, the other of 13 storeys; moving the community centre / nursery school from its current site to make way for the new blocks; and the widening of estate roads, all of which would reduce the green space and cut down trees.
The landscaping not only has mature trees but also a variety of more recently planted species, and a number of shrub and flower beds set into lawns. Fitzhugh Grove Community Garden has been established in the grounds, which produces flowers, fruit and vegetables. Run by and for the residents, this provides a space to develop their community, to learn about growing plants and create a space to relax in.
The Fitzhugh Estate was locally listed by Wandsworth Council in 2018. In September 2020 a feasibility study was initiated by Wandsworth Regeneration Team to build more flats on the estate, although this would encroach on the grounds, but to date (April 2024) nothing has been agreed. Local groups including Fitzhugh Grove Residents Association continue to work together to prevent unsuitable development taking place on the estate. Early proposals included building an additional 57 flats over 2 blocks, one of 3-4 storeys, the other of 13 storeys; moving the community centre / nursery school from its current site to make way for the new blocks; and the widening of estate roads, all of which would reduce the green space and cut down trees.
The landscaping not only has mature trees but also a variety of more recently planted species, and a number of shrub and flower beds set into lawns. Fitzhugh Grove Community Garden has been established in the grounds, which produces flowers, fruit and vegetables. Run by and for the residents, this provides a space to develop their community, to learn about growing plants and create a space to relax in.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ269742 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.047 |
| Site Ownership | LB Wandsworth |
| Site Management | Housing; Fitzhugh Grove Residents Association |
| Dates | 1953-55 |
| Designers | LCC (John Leslie Martin) |
| Listed Structures | Locally listed: the 5 point blocks of flats |
| 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 | Wandsworth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Wandsworth Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building was a school for the orphaned children of servicemen in the Crimean War, designed by architect Major Rhode Hawkins and built in 1857-59. It was on land enclosed from Wandsworth Common purchased through patriotic funds in 1854; Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone in 1857. It was later put to various uses, including a hospital, school but closed in 1974. It was restored in the 1980s. To the north of the main front of the RVPB is an area of public open space with lawns and some planting of shrubs, with paths and seating. A footpath leads from here through an area of woodland to Trinity Road.
Wandsworth Common is an important historic common, the remains of more extensive commonland that was part of the wastes of the Manors of Battersea and Wandsworth; by the C19th it had been sub-divided by the railway and encroached upon by building as London was developed. Attempts by local people to preserve the Common against further encroachment began in earnest in 1868 when appeals were made to the MBW to take over responsibility following the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866, but this was initially unsuccessful. In 1870 a Common Defence Committee was set up, later to become the Wandsworth Common Preservation Society. In 1887 the Common was transferred to the MBW who carried out improvements including planting, paths layout, creation of the ornamental lakes from old gravel pits as well as the smaller Three Island Pond near Bolingbroke Grove. In 1898 the Common became the responsibility of the new LCC who in 1912 purchased an area of 20 acres of open land to extend the common.
Spencer Park was built on land that was formerly part of Wandsworth Common and the remains of more extensive commonland, part of the wastes of the Manor of Battersea and Wandsworth. After vigorous protests by local people to preserve the common from further encroachment, Earl Spencer, Lord of the Manor, agreed to transfer most of the common to the Common Defence Committee that had been established, excluding the area that became Spencer Park, named after him. By the late 1870s the development of Spencer Park was underway with houses overlooking the common and an enclosed private park formally laid out with grass, paths and trees.