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The Walcot Estate
This map, dated 1869, shows Walcot Square and St Mary's Walk and Gardens
Courtesy of British History Online
Walcot Square was laid out and the houses erected in 1837–39, numbers 9–81 by John Woodward of Paradise Street, 16–24 by Charles Newnham of Newnham Place, Paris Street, and 26–50 by John Chapman of Waterloo Road, builder. The houses are of simple terrace type in yellow stock brick with stucco surrounds to the entrances and a plain coping above the parapets.
Number 19 (formerly No. 60) was occupied in 1870 by William Henry Rich Jones (1817–85), antiquary. He was born in Christ Church parish, Blackfriars. He was vicar of Bradford-on-Avon in 1851–85 and published several antiquarian works.
Number 20 (formerly 4) was occupied in 1840–41(?) by William Hosking (1800–1861), architect and civil engineer. Apprenticed in Sydney to a builder, he came to England in 1819. He was engineer to the West London Railway and later held a professorship at King's College, London. He designed Trinity Chapel, Poplar, and buildings in Abney Park cemetery. His most important publication was a work on bridges; he claimed to have originated the design for the British Museum Reading Room. He married a daughter of William Clowes, the printer.
At number 77 (formerly 31) in 1840–41 lived Thomas Barnes (1785–1841), editor of The Times.
Many local residential properties were sold by the Foundation in the 1980s and 1990s and the proceeds re-invested in commercial property as part of Foundation's investment portfolio. The Foundation still owns over sixty local residential dwellings. It also owns and maintains the greens in Walcot Square and St Mary's Gardens. Keys for access to the Walcot Square Green are available April to September to families with children up to five years of age, who live on the Walcot Estate.
1937 Staff Outing - Walcot and Hayle's Maintenance Staff
Restrictive Covenants
If you are the owner of a property which once belonged to the Foundation it is highly likely that there is a restrictive covenant attached. This limits your freedom in choice of exterior paint colours, in the putting up of aerials and satellite dishes, and some other matters. It will also mean that the consent of the Estate must be obtained before any major developments to the property.
The aim of the covenants is to maintain the visual unity and amenity of this extraordinary part of London, for the benefit of all. Further information here
External link
Planning Portal (Government site)
Unique filming location
Walcot Square and the surrounding streets make a perfect film location, especially for 19thC period productions more
from Bleak House, by Charles Dickens
"I have some connexion," pursued Mr. Guppy, "and it lays in the direction of Walcot Square, Lambeth. I have therefore taken a 'ouse in that locality, which, in the opinion of my friends, is a hollow bargain (taxes ridiculous, and use of fixtures included in the rent), and intend setting up professionally for myself there forthwith."
Here Mr. Guppy's mother fell into an extraordinary passion of rolling her head and smiling waggishly at anybody who would look at her.
"It's a six-roomer, exclusive of kitchens," said Mr. Guppy, "and in the opinion of my friends, a commodious tenement. When I mention my friends, I refer principally to my friend Jobling, who I believe has known me," Mr. Guppy looked at him with a sentimental air, "from boyhood's hour."
Mr. Jobling confirmed this with a sliding movement of his legs.
"My friend Jobling will render me his assistance in the capacity of clerk and will live in the 'ouse," said Mr. Guppy. "My mother will likewise live in the 'ouse when her present quarter in the Old Street Road shall have ceased and expired; and consequently there will be no want of society. My friend Jobling is naturally aristocratic by taste, and besides being acquainted with the movements of the upper circles, fully backs me in the intentions I am now developing."