Earl’s Court

Underground station, existing between 1869 and now

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Underground station · Earl’s Court · ·
November
9
2016

Earls Court is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Earls Court was once a rural area, covered with green fields and market gardens. For over 500 years the land, part of the ancient manor of Kensington, was under the lordship of the Vere family, the Earls of Oxford and descendants of Aubrey de Vere, who held the manor of Geoffrey de Montbray, bishop of Coutances, in Domesday Book in 1086. The earls held their manorial court where Old Manor Yard is now, just by the London Underground station.

The construction of the Metropolitan District Railway (MDR) station in 1865–69 was a catalyst for development. On 12 April 1869, the MDR (now the District Line) opened tracks through Earl’s Court as part of a south-westward extension from its station at Gloucester Road to West Brompton where the MDR opened an interchange with the West London Extension Joint Railway. In the quarter century afterwards, Earls Court was transformed into a densely populated suburb with 1200 houses and two churches. Eardley Crescent and Kempsford Gardens were built between 1867 and 1873, building began in Earls Court Square and Longridge Road in 1873, in Nevern Place in 1874, in Trebovir Road and Philbeach Gardens in 1876, and Nevern Square in 1880.

Following WWII a number of Polish immigrants settled in the Earls Court area leading to Earls Court Road being dubbed ’The Danzig Corridor’. During the late 1960s a large transient population of Australia and New Zealand travellers began to use Earls Court as a UK hub and over time it gained the name ’Kangaroo Valley’. It was at the time one of the cheapest areas close to central London, and up until the 1990s remained a somewhat down-at-heel district compared to its more upmarket neighbours to the North and East.

Today, while there are still significant numbers of students or other people on temporary visas, many of the Australians and New Zealanders appear to have moved on to now-cheaper areas further North and West.

The change in the area’s population is largely owed to rocketing property prices during the first decade of the 2000s and the continued gentrification of the area. The scale of change is illustrated by the economic divide between the eastern and western areas of Earls Court.


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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCALITY


Admin   
Added: 26 Aug 2022 12:17 GMT   

TV comes to Olympia
Over 7000 people queued to see the first high definition television pictures on sets at the Olympia Radio Show. The pictures were transmitted by the BBC from Alexandra Palace, introduced by Leslie Mitchell, their first announcer.

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Lived here
Former Philbeach Gardens Resident   
Added: 14 Jul 2021 00:44 GMT   

Philbeach Gardens Resident (Al Stewart)
Al Stewart, who had huts in the 70s with the sings ’Year of the Cat’ and ’On The Borders’, lived in Philbeach Gdns for a while and referenced Earl’s Court in a couple of his songs.
I lived in Philbeach Gardens from a child until my late teens. For a few years, on one evening in the midst of Summer, you could hear Al Stewart songs ringing out across Philbeach Gardens, particularly from his album ’Time Passages". I don’t think Al was living there at the time but perhaps he came back to see some pals. Or perhaps the broadcasters were just his fans,like me.
Either way, it was a wonderful treat to hear!

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LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT

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Christine D Elliott   
Added: 20 Mar 2023 15:52 GMT   

The Blute Family
My grandparents, Frederick William Blute & Alice Elizabeth Blute nee: Warnham lived at 89 Blockhouse Street Deptford from around 1917.They had six children. 1. Alice Maragret Blute (my mother) 2. Frederick William Blute 3. Charles Adrian Blute 4. Violet Lillian Blute 5. Donald Blute 6. Stanley Vincent Blute (Lived 15 months). I lived there with my family from 1954 (Birth) until 1965 when we were re-housed for regeneration to the area.
I attended Ilderton Road School.
Very happy memories of that time.

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Pearl Foster   
Added: 20 Mar 2023 12:22 GMT   

Dukes Place, EC3A
Until his death in 1767, Daniel Nunes de Lara worked from his home in Dukes Street as a Pastry Cook. It was not until much later the street was renamed Dukes Place. Daniel and his family attended the nearby Bevis Marks synagogue for Sephardic Jews. The Ashkenazi Great Synagogue was established in Duke Street, which meant Daniel’s business perfectly situated for his occupation as it allowed him to cater for both congregations.

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Dr Paul Flewers   
Added: 9 Mar 2023 18:12 GMT   

Some Brief Notes on Hawthorne Close / Hawthorne Street
My great-grandparents lived in the last house on the south side of Hawthorne Street, no 13, and my grandmother Alice Knopp and her brothers and sisters grew up there. Alice Knopp married Charles Flewers, from nearby Hayling Road, and moved to Richmond, Surrey, where I was born. Leonard Knopp married Esther Gutenberg and lived there until the street was demolished in the mid-1960s, moving on to Tottenham. Uncle Len worked in the fur trade, then ran a pet shop in, I think, the Kingsland Road.

From the back garden, one could see the almshouses in the Balls Pond Road. There was an ink factory at the end of the street, which I recall as rather malodorous.

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KJH   
Added: 7 Mar 2023 17:14 GMT   

Andover Road, N7 (1939 - 1957)
My aunt, Doris nee Curtis (aka Jo) and her husband John Hawkins (aka Jack) ran a small general stores at 92 Andover Road (N7). I have found details in the 1939 register but don’t know how long before that it was opened.He died in 1957. In the 1939 register he is noted as being an ARP warden for Islington warden

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Added: 2 Mar 2023 13:50 GMT   

The Queens Head
Queens Head demolished and a NISA supermarket and flats built in its place.

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Comment
Mike   
Added: 28 Feb 2023 18:09 GMT   

6 Elia Street
When I was young I lived in 6 Elia Street. At the end of the garden there was a garage owned by Initial Laundries which ran from an access in Quick Street all the way up to the back of our garden. The fire exit to the garage was a window leading into our garden. 6 Elia Street was owned by Initial Laundry.

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Comment
Fumblina   
Added: 21 Feb 2023 11:39 GMT   

Error on 1800 map numbering for John Street
The 1800 map of Whitfield Street (17 zoom) has an error in the numbering shown on the map. The houses are numbered up the right hand side of John Street and Upper John Street to #47 and then are numbered down the left hand side until #81 BUT then continue from 52-61 instead of 82-91.

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P Cash   
Added: 19 Feb 2023 08:03 GMT   

Occupants of 19-29 Woburn Place
The Industrial Tribunals (later changed to Employment Tribunals) moved (from its former location on Ebury Bridge Road to 19-29 Woburn Place sometime in the late 1980s (I believe).

19-29 Woburn Place had nine floors in total (one in the basement and two in its mansard roof and most of the building was occupied by the Tribunals

The ’Head Office’ of the tribunals, occupied space on the 7th, 6th and 2nd floors, whilst one of the largest of the regional offices (London North but later called London Central) occupied space in the basement, ground and first floor.

The expansive ground floor entrance had white marble flooring and a security desk. Behind (on evey floor) lay a square (& uncluttered) lobby space, which was flanked on either side by lifts. On the rear side was an elegant staircase, with white marble steps, brass inlays and a shiny brass handrail which spiralled around an open well. Both staircase, stairwell and lifts ran the full height of the building. On all floors from 1st upwards, staff toilets were tucked on either side of the staircase (behind the lifts).

Basement Floor - Tribunal hearing rooms, dormant files store and secure basement space for Head Office. Public toilets.

Geound Floor - The ’post’ roon sat next to the entrance in the northern side, the rest of which was occupied by the private offices of the full time Tribunal judiciary. Thw largest office belonged to the Regional Chair and was situated on the far corner (overlooking Tavistock Square) The secretary to the Regional Chair occupied a small office next door.
The south side of this floor was occupied by the large open plan General Office for the administration, a staff kitchen & rest room and the private offices of the Regional Secretary (office manager) and their deputy.

First Dloor - Tribunal hearing rooms; separate public waiting rooms for Applicants & Respondents; two small rooms used by Counsel (on a ’whoever arrives first’ bases) and a small private rest room for use by tribunal lay members.

Second Floor - Tribunal Hearing Rooms; Tribunal Head Office - HR & Estate Depts & other tennants.

Third Floor - other tennants

Fourth Floor - other tennants

Fifth Floor - Other Tennants except for a large non-smoking room for staff, (which overlooked Tavistock Sqaure). It was seldom used, as a result of lacking any facities aside from a meagre collection of unwanted’ tatty seating. Next to it, (overlooking Tavistock Place) was a staff canteen.

Sixth Floor - Other tennants mostly except for a few offices on the northern side occupied by tribunal Head Office - IT Dept.

Seventh Floor - Other tenants in the northern side. The southern (front) side held the private offices of several senior managers (Secretariat, IT & Finance), private office of the Chief Accuntant; an office for two private secretaries and a stationary cupboard. On the rear side was a small kitchen; the private office of the Chief Executive and the private office of the President of the Tribunals for England & Wales. (From 1995 onwards, this became a conference room as the President was based elsewhere. The far end of this side contained an open plan office for Head Office staff - Secretariat, Finance & HR (staff training team) depts.

Eighth Floor - other tennants.


The Employment Tribunals (Regional & Head Offices) relocated to Vitory House, Kingsway in April 2005.






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V:2

NEARBY LOCATIONS OF NOTE
Coleherne House Coleherne House once stood on the corner of Brompton Lane (later Brompton Road) and Walnut Tree Lane (now Redcliffe Gardens).
Cromwell Curve The Cromwell Curve was a short section of railway line between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington stations.
Earl’s Court Farm Earl’s Court Farm is pictured here as it was in 1867, before the opening of the underground station two years later.
Goodwin’s Field Goodwins Field - a field with a story.
Nokes Estate Nokes Estate was an agricultural estate in the Earl’s Court area, formerly known as Wattsfield.

THE STREETS OF EARL’S COURT
Ambassador’s Court, SW5 Ambassador’s Court is a road in the SW1A postcode area
Astwood Mews, SW7 Astwood Mews is one of the streets of London in the SW7 postal area.
Barkston Gardens, SW5 Barkston Gardens is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Bolton Gardens, SW5 Bolton Gardens is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Boltons Court, SW5 Boltons Court is a block on Old Brompton Road.
Bramham Gardens, SW5 Bramham Gardens is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
BurtonWhite House, SW5 BurtonWhite House can be found on West Cromwell Road.
Childs Place, SW5 Childs Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Collingham Gardens, SW5 Collingham Gardens is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Collingham Place, SW5 Collingham Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Collingham Road, SW5 Collingham Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Courtfield Gardens, SW5 Courtfield Gardens is named after the field beneath it, cultivated until the 19th century.
Cromwell Crescent, SW5 Cromwell Crescent is a road in the SW5 postcode area
Cromwell Road, SW5 Once known as Cromwell Lane, the road was named after one of Cromwell’s sons who lived here.
Earls Court Gardens, SW5 Earls Court Gardens runs from Earl’s Court station to Knaresborough Place.
Earls Court Square, SW5 Earls Court Square is a residential square
Earl’s Court Road, SW5 Earl’s Court Road is a road in the SW5 postcode area
Euro House, SW5 Euro House is a block on Warwick Road.
Farnell Mews, SW5 Farnell Mews is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Hesper Mews, SW5 Hesper Mews is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Hogarth Place, SW5 Hogarth Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Hogarth Road, SW5 Hogarth Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Inkerman House, SW5 Inkerman House is a block on Nevern Road.
Kenway Road, SW5 Kenway Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Knaresborough House, SW5 Knaresborough House is located on Knaresborough Place.
Knaresborough Place, SW5 Knaresborough Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Langham Mansions, SW5 Langham Mansions is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Laverton Place, SW5 Laverton Place is a road in the SW5 postcode area
Logan Place, W8 Logan Place is a road in the W8 postcode area
Longridge Road, SW5 Longridge Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Marlborough Court, W8 Marlborough Court is a block on Logan Place.
Matthias House, SW5 Matthias House is a building on Philbeach Gardens.
Melbourne House, SW5 Melbourne House is a block on Collingham Road.
Nevern Place, SW5 Nevern Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Nevern Road, SW5 Nevern Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Nevern Square, SW5 Nevern Square is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Old Manor Yard, SW5 Old Manor Yard is a road in the SW5 postcode area
Pembroke Gardens, SW5 A street within the W8 postcode
Pembroke Road, SW5 Pembroke Road is a street in Kensington.
Penywern Road, SW5 Penywern Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Philbeach Gardens, SW5 Philbeach Gardens is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
PO Box 4, SW5 Earl’s Court Square is located on Earl’s Court Squar.
Redcliffe Close, SW5 Redcliffe Close is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Redfield Lane, SW5 Redfield Lane is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Rupert House, SW5 Rupert House is a building on Nevern Square.
Sherborne Court, SW5 Sherborne Court is a block on the corner of Cromwell Road and Marloes Road.
Spear Mews, SW5 Spear Mews is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Templeton Place, SW5 Templeton Place is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
The Mansions, SW5 The Mansions is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Trebouir Road, SW5 Trebouir Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Trebovir Road, SW5 Trebovir Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Warwick Road, SW5 Warwick Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Weir Road, SW5 Weir Road is a road in the SW17 postcode area
West Cromwell Road, SW5 West Cromwell Road is one of the streets of London in the SW5 postal area.
Wetherby Mews, SW5 Wetherby Mews is a road in the SW5 postcode area

THE PUBS OF EARL’S COURT


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LOCAL PHOTOS
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Abingdon Arms Pub, Abingdon Road.
TUM image id: 1489943648
Licence: CC BY 2.0
Marloes Road, W8
TUM image id: 1530121229
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Earl’s Court, District Line
TUM image id: 1660570712
Licence: CC BY 2.0

In the neighbourhood...

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Abingdon Arms Pub, Abingdon Road.
Licence: CC BY 2.0


Allen Street
Credit: GoArt/The Underground Map
Licence: CC BY 2.0


Springtime, Earl’s Court
Credit: IG/MrLondon
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Finborough Road, Chelsea
Credit: Nancy Weir Huntly (1890-1963)
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Kenway Road (1970)
Credit: British History Online
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Marloes Road, W8
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The corner depicted is that of Abingdon Road and Scarsdale Villas, showing the church in the background.
Licence: CC BY 2.0


St Mary Abbot’s Hospital operated from 1871 to 1992. From 1846 to 1869 the site housed the Kensington Parish Workhouse
Credit: Wiki Commons
Licence: CC BY 2.0


Plan of the Redcliffe Estate, developed by Corbett and McClymont, 1860s. Until the development in the 1860s, the area was entirely rural, with villages at Earl’s Court and Little Chelsea, and the intervening land occupied by market gardens, grassland and paddocks.
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Earl’s Court, District Line
Licence: CC BY 2.0


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