Until the 1850s, between the entrance to Sheen Common and the Upper Richmond Road, there was a farm. It fell early victim to redevelopment pressure.
Blind Lane (Temple Sheen Road) already existed but the 1850s saw the arrival as a result of the farm’s disposal, three new roads: Christ Church Road, West Temple Sheen and Derby Road (which was initially called Upper Sheen Road).
Lots on the west side of Upper Sheen Road were purchased by a Derbyshire man, William Morley. He built Derby Lodge there. This was an Italianate villa with a tower and was approached using a driveway from Upper Richmond Road. The grounds of the lodge lasted a decade or so before Morley fell into financial difficulties in 1866. The houses on the west side of Derby Road were built as a result on the sale of the grounds, leaving the lodge.
Furness Lodge - at first called Petra House - was built in Derby Road. The first occupant was Sir Henry Durand, later Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab.
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Derby Road was at first called Upper Sheen Road
