Description
Forbes House is a surprisingly large early to mid C19th mansion with a lodge and forecourt. A private residence until the C20th, it was used after WWII by the War Office Institution Club and in 1959 it became the headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders until 2010. The gardens contained a few good trees but the grounds are largely given over to car parking, especially to the rear. It has now been sold as a private residence.
Practical Information
| Site location | Halkin Street, Belgravia |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW1X 7DS |
| What3Words | ///points.motion.visits |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge (Piccadilly) |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Forbes House was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as '9 unenterprising terrace-house-like bays of yellow brick, behind a walled forecourt with trees'. The first house was the five left bays, built by Sir Robert Smirke for the 5th Earl of Oxford, the next 3 added in 1824 for the future 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam. The 1st Lord Penrhyn extended the house behind in c.1868 when the cast-iron balcony was probably added. The right bay and arched stone doorcase date from 1912 for the 8th Earl of Granard and his American Countess Beatrice. Nearby are the Caledonian Club of 1912 by Detmar Blow and various early C19th houses.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ283796 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Private |
| Dates | Early to mid C19th |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Forbes House, lodge, forecourt walls and gate, Caledonian Club + various early c19th houses (LBII and II*) |
| 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 | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Belgravia |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes |
Gallery
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
Halkin Street Garden was laid out for the Grosvenor family's Belgravia Estate in c.1915 by Estate Surveyor Edmund Wimperis on land that had previously been occupied by stables and mews. The Arts and Crafts inspired layout had a pool and fountain as a central feature. During the 1930s the lawn was said to have been used as a tennis court by Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson. In the 1980s the garden was considerably reduced when the Estate's Gardens Department had new offices and glasshouses built here. In 2008 the garden was reinstated to its original size as part of the development of Montrose Place and has been entirely re-landscaped, but incorporating the original fountain, which is now set into the north wall of the garden.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.
Wilton Crescent was laid out as part of a largely intact planned development of houses and gardens on the Grosvenor Estate. The quadrant of houses forms a crescent encompassing a well-kept garden surrounded by C20th railings. The layout of the garden is little altered from that shown on the OS Map of 1869, with a large semi-circular lawn bounded by shrubberies, and a paved perimeter path. In the centre is a stone urn and several handsome cement planters of the 1930s.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
Belgrave Square was designed by architect George Basevi, who laid out the square and the gardens were first planted by Thomas Cubitt in 1826. They have been restored to the layout of 1867, and have lawns, large plane trees, pergolas with wisteria, roses and annuals, a quiet garden, tennis court and play area for children. In 2008 the original viewing mound in the centre of the garden was re-instated and among the trees are those that date from the original plantings. Within the garden is a collection of statuary, including modern figurative works.
