James Weller Ladbroke
Encyclopedia
James Weller Ladbroke was a Nineteenth century landowner and the principal developer of the Ladbroke Estate
, a substantial parcel of land in Notting Hill
, London
, England
.Many streets in Notting Hill
still bear the Ladbroke name today, including Ladbroke Grove
and Ladbroke Square
, and the former Ladbroke Estate is now a conservation area.
, then a largely rural area on the western edges of London
. The Ladbroke Estate
was located north of the Uxbridge Road (now Notting Hill Gate
and Holland Park Avenue
), and development of the land began in 1821, continuing until the 1870s. Around six architects and many more property speculators were involved in developing the final layout of the area.
In the late 18th century the estate had been owned by Richard Ladbroke, esquire, of Tadworth Court, Surrey
. He died childless, and around 1821 his land passed to his nephew James Weller, who assumed the name Ladbroke in order to be able to inherit. James Weller Ladbroke held the estate until his death in 1847, though the actual development of the land was carried out by a firm of City
solicitors, Smith, Bayley (known as Bayley and Janson after 1836), working in conjunction with the architect, landscaper and surveyor Thomas Allason
.
Under the terms of his uncle's will, James Weller Ladbroke could only grant leases of up to twenty-one years' duration. However, he and his advisers managed to obtain power by means of a private Act of Parliament
of 1821 to grant ninety-nine-year leases, and it was at this point that development began in earnest.
Allason's first task was to prepare a plan for the layout of the main portion of the estate, which was completed by 1823. The 1823 plan marks the genesis of Allason's most enduring idea - the creation of large private communal gardens enclosed by terraces and/or crescents of houses. Eventually around fifteen of these communal gardens would be built, and they continue to define the character of Notting Hill to this day.
, Sussex
on 16 March 1847. His Notting Hill estate by this time brought in an annual revenue of around £3,000 in ground rents, a significant sum at the time. He had no children, and his heir was a distant cousin named Felix Ladbroke of Headley
, Surrey
, who found himself in possession of absolute title to the estate.
Many streets in Notting Hill
still bear the Ladbroke name today, including Ladbroke Grove
and Ladbroke Square
. The former Ladbroke estate is now a conservation area, and the Ladbroke Association, a local non-profit group with around 400 members, is dedicated to preserving and maintaining its architectural integrity.
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
, a substantial parcel of land in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.Many streets in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
still bear the Ladbroke name today, including Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove is a road in west London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is also sometimes the name given informally to the immediate area surrounding the road. Running from Notting Hill in the south to Kensal Green in the north, it is located in North Kensington and straddles...
and Ladbroke Square
Ladbroke Square
Ladbroke Square is a garden square in Notting Hill, west London, England.- Location :Ladbroke Square and its gardens lie north of Holland Park Avenue and Notting Hill Gate...
, and the former Ladbroke Estate is now a conservation area.
Ladbroke Estate
In the early Nineteenth century the Ladbroke family were the principal landowners in KensingtonKensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, then a largely rural area on the western edges of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The Ladbroke Estate
Ladbroke Estate
The Ladbroke Estate was a substantial estate of land owned by the Ladbroke family in Notting Hill, London, England, in the early 19th century that was gradually developed and turned into housing during the middle years of the century, as London expanded...
was located north of the Uxbridge Road (now Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares of Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name.- Location :...
and Holland Park Avenue
Holland Park Avenue
Holland Park Avenue is a street located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in west central London in England. The street runs from Notting Hill Gate in the east to the Holland Park Roundabout in the west, and forms a part of the old west road connecting London with Oxford and the west...
), and development of the land began in 1821, continuing until the 1870s. Around six architects and many more property speculators were involved in developing the final layout of the area.
In the late 18th century the estate had been owned by Richard Ladbroke, esquire, of Tadworth Court, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. He died childless, and around 1821 his land passed to his nephew James Weller, who assumed the name Ladbroke in order to be able to inherit. James Weller Ladbroke held the estate until his death in 1847, though the actual development of the land was carried out by a firm of City
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
solicitors, Smith, Bayley (known as Bayley and Janson after 1836), working in conjunction with the architect, landscaper and surveyor Thomas Allason
Thomas Allason
Thomas Allason was an English architect, surveyor and landscaper, noted in particular for his work at Connaught Square and the Ladbroke Estate in Kensington.-Early life:...
.
Under the terms of his uncle's will, James Weller Ladbroke could only grant leases of up to twenty-one years' duration. However, he and his advisers managed to obtain power by means of a private Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of 1821 to grant ninety-nine-year leases, and it was at this point that development began in earnest.
Allason's first task was to prepare a plan for the layout of the main portion of the estate, which was completed by 1823. The 1823 plan marks the genesis of Allason's most enduring idea - the creation of large private communal gardens enclosed by terraces and/or crescents of houses. Eventually around fifteen of these communal gardens would be built, and they continue to define the character of Notting Hill to this day.
Death and Legacy
James Weller Ladbroke died at his house at PetworthPetworth
Petworth is a small town and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. It is located at the junction of the A272 east-west road from Heathfield to Winchester and the A283 Milford to Shoreham-by-Sea road. Some twelve miles to the south west of Petworth along the A285 road...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
on 16 March 1847. His Notting Hill estate by this time brought in an annual revenue of around £3,000 in ground rents, a significant sum at the time. He had no children, and his heir was a distant cousin named Felix Ladbroke of Headley
Headley
-Places:* Headley, Basingstoke and Deane in the civil parish of Ashford Hill with Headley* Headley, East Hampshire* Headley, Surrey-People:*Chase Headley , American professional baseball player* Justina Headley, author*Victor Headley, author...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, who found himself in possession of absolute title to the estate.
Many streets in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
still bear the Ladbroke name today, including Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove
Ladbroke Grove is a road in west London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is also sometimes the name given informally to the immediate area surrounding the road. Running from Notting Hill in the south to Kensal Green in the north, it is located in North Kensington and straddles...
and Ladbroke Square
Ladbroke Square
Ladbroke Square is a garden square in Notting Hill, west London, England.- Location :Ladbroke Square and its gardens lie north of Holland Park Avenue and Notting Hill Gate...
. The former Ladbroke estate is now a conservation area, and the Ladbroke Association, a local non-profit group with around 400 members, is dedicated to preserving and maintaining its architectural integrity.