Thames Path (Kingston)

On the stretch of the Thames Path north of Canbury Gardens (q.v.), the path is bounded by remnants of C18th/C19th walls and landscaping. This was the site of a mansion built in 1797 for Major General Henry St John, son of the 2nd Viscount St John and MP for Wootton Bassett. The house was built by John Nash with landscaped grounds by Humphry Repton and had a river frontage of more than 0.25 miles. It was called by a number of names including Point Pleasant, Mount Pleasant, Bank Farm and Bank Grove. In 1821 the owner was Sir John Delves Broughton, 7th baronet, and a flamboyant character, after whose death in 1847 the property was purchased by William Byam Martin. Martin developed the grounds with walks, rose gardens, a peach house, vineries and a temple overlooking the river and a renowned collection of exotic plants. After his death in 1870 the estate was sold to Charles (later Sir Charles) Freake and he and his wife entertained lavishly, their guests including members of the royal family. In their time the grounds extended to 16 acres and were celebrated for their landscaping, which included an American garden and ornamental temple, and rare plants.

When Sir Charles died in 1884 the estate was divided and sold for building, the house and two acres were used from 1890 as an exclusive club, the Albany Club, but this burnt down in 1907. Although the estate is now built over with Albany Park Road, Grosvenor Gardens and Richmond Road, remnants of the boundary wall survive along the Thames Path and a number of fine cedars are visible. The old entrance lodge and gates had been on the corner of Albany Park Road and later became University Motors.

To the north the Thames Path reaches the Half Mile Elm, the site of a 500 year-old elm that was removed in 1951 as it was dangerous and a new tree planted.