Earl’s Court has undergone a remarkable transformation over the centuries. Once a rural area characterised by green fields and market gardens, it was part of the ancient manor of Kensington under the lordship of the Vere family - the Earls of Oxford - for over 500 years. The Vere family were descendants of Aubrey de Vere, who held the manor of Geoffrey de Montbray, bishop of Coutances, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The earls held their manorial court at the site now known as Old Manor Yard, adjacent to the present-day Earl’s Court Underground station.

The construction of the Metropolitan District Railway (MDR) station between 1865 and 1869 marked a turning point in the development of Earl’s Court. On 12 April 1869, the MDR (now the District Line) extended its tracks through Earl’s Court, connecting its station at Gloucester Road to West Brompton, where it established an interchange with the West London Extension Joint Railway. Earl’s Court station itself opened in 1871.

In the following 25 years, Earl’s Court underwent a dramatic transformation, evolving into a densely populated suburb with 1200 houses and two churches. The development of the area progressed rapidly, with the construction of Eardley Crescent and Kempsford Gardens between 1867 and 1873, followed by the commencement of building in Earl’s Court Square and Longridge Road in 1873. Nevern Place was developed in 1874, Trebovir Road and Philbeach Gardens in 1876, and Nevern Square in 1880.

After the Second World War, Earl’s Court became a popular destination for Polish immigrants, earning Earl’s Court Road the nickname "The Danzig Corridor." In the late 1960s, the area became a hub for Australian and New Zealand travellers, gaining the moniker "Kangaroo Valley." At the time, it was one of the most affordable areas in close proximity to central London. Until the 1990s, Earl’s Court remained a relatively less affluent district compared to its more upscale neighbours to the north and west.

In recent years, the demographics of Earl’s Court have shifted, with many of the Australian and New Zealand residents moving to more affordable areas further north and west. This change can be attributed to the rapid increase in property prices during the early 2000s and the ongoing gentrification of the area. Although there is still a significant presence of students and individuals on temporary visas, the economic divide between the eastern and western parts of Earl’s Court illustrates the extent of the transformation the area has undergone.


Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence