Description
This area was developed from the 1860s as Highgate New Town, largely providing working class terraced housing. The Whittington Estate was built in the 1970s as part of post WWII social housing by Camden Council. Built north of Raydon Street, and overlooking Highgate Cemetery, the estate comprises six terraces with strong horizontal lines of balconies and cornices and vertical cross walls. Between each terrace is a pedestrian walkway of a different character, with planting of trees and shrubs to soften the architecture. This landscaping together with other green spaces provided for residents is an integral part of the design.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Highgate New Town |
|---|---|
| Site location | Dartmouth Park Hill (Lulot Gardens, Retcar Close, Sandstone Place, Stoneleigh Terrace, Raydon Street) |
| Postcode | N19 |
| What3Words | ///editor.listed.towns |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Partially |
| Opening Times | private, but public areas accessible |
| Facilities | Playground |
| Public Transport | Tube: Archway (Northern). Bus: 143, 210, 271 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This area was developed from the 1860s and known as Highgate New Town, providing terraced housing mainly for the working classes. The name was kept when the Whittington Estate was built in the 1970s as part of post WWII social housing provision by Camden Council, which replaced some but not all of the earlier Victorian housing in the area. It was the first stage of the larger scheme initially planned from 1967 by R Gibson, but later redesigned by Paul Tabori and K Adie of Camden Architects' Department. Later stages included housing schemes in Chester Road and Dartmouth Park Hill. Built north of Raydon Street and ranged up Dartmouth Park Hill, the Whittington Estate comprises six terraces with strong horizontal lines of balconies and cornices on each level and vertical cross walls. There are similarities to the Alexandra Road Estate (q.v.), also built by Camden Architects' Department. Between each terrace is a pedestrian walkway of a different character, with an emphasis on landscape and planting to break up the concrete of the architecture. These green spaces are an integral part of the Whittington Estate and the terrace walkways have an interesting variety of trees and shrubs, some exotic and ornamental species. The estate overlooks the East Cemetery of Highgate Cemetery (q.v.).
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ288869 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Camden |
| Site Management | Groundwork Camden and Islington. Whittington Estate Residents Association |
| Dates | 1972-78 |
| Designers | Camden Architects' Department |
| Listed Structures | Local List: 1-97 Lulot Gardens, 1-24 Retcar Place,1-71 Sandstone Place, 1-81 Stoneleigh Terrace |
| 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 | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Dartmouth Park |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Public Open Space (Small Local) |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
Holly Lodge Estate was built on the sloping site of the grounds of Holly Lodge, a late C18th villa that had stood near Robin Grove. In 1808 it was leased to actress Harriet Mellon who married banker Thomas Coutts and later the Duke of St Albans. After the latter's death in 1849 Holly Lodge was inherited by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts. The estate was expanded considerably between 1809 and 1864. In 1922 the estate was sold for housing and Holly Lodge Estate laid out in 1923. Part of the original gardens survive between the former carriage drive and Holly Lodge Gardens, maintained for private use of estate residents. Two garden areas are separated by a wooded avenue, the larger laid out around evergreen oaks and originally a Glade of Cedars of Lebanon, of which only one now remains, and a small flower garden to the east of the carriage drive.
Holly Village is a small garden estate comprising a group of 12 former estate cottages designed by Henry A Darbishire for Baroness Burdett-Coutts to house her trusted retainers close to her residence, Holly Lodge, which was further to the north and now the site of the early C20th Holly Lodge Estate. Picturesquely grouped around a private garden in model village style, the 2-storey cottages are cottage ornée in style. The central garden has three grass terraces linked by gravel paths, and is entered from the street through a central archway. The estate's rural atmosphere is enhanced by the lattice fencing and dense holly hedges that surround it.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Waterlow Park is a C19th landscaped park with remnants of earlier garden features of the C16th-C18th. It covers the land of 4 former private estates, Lauderdale House, Hertford House, Elm(s) Court and Andrew Marvell's cottage, which were amalgamated after 1865 by Sir Sydney Waterlow to create a single park. There are remnants of the older gardens, as well as those of Waterlow's time. A strong believer in provision of public open space, in 1889 he presented Lauderdale House and the 29-acre estate to the LCC 'for the enjoyment of Londoners'. The park opened on 24 October 1891; Lauderdale House, extensively restored, opened in 1893. The overall layout has changed little since the LCC plan of c.1895 and has formal flower beds, terraces and herbaceous borders, lawns and secluded areas, numerous fine trees and 3 ponds. Other features included a thatched bandstand, aviaries and tennis courts. The park was substantially restored in 2003-5 through an HLF grant with a new Park Centre on the site of the old glasshouses.
Waterlow Park is a C19th landscaped park with remnants of earlier garden features of the C16th-C18th. It covers the land of 4 former private estates, Lauderdale House, Hertford House, Elm(s) Court and Andrew Marvell's cottage, which were amalgamated after 1865 by Sir Sydney Waterlow to create a single park. There are remnants of the older gardens, as well as those of Waterlow's time. A strong believer in provision of public open space, in 1889 he presented Lauderdale House and the 29-acre estate to the LCC 'for the enjoyment of Londoners'. The park opened on 24 October 1891; Lauderdale House, extensively restored, opened in 1893. The overall layout has changed little since the LCC plan of c.1895 and has formal flower beds, terraces and herbaceous borders, lawns and secluded areas, numerous fine trees and 3 ponds. Other features included a thatched bandstand, aviaries and tennis courts. The park was substantially restored in 2003-5 through an HLF grant with a new Park Centre on the site of the old glasshouses.
