Page 7: Market gardens and farms

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Kensington and Chelsea were largely rural in character, with the southern part noted for market gardens and nurseries. These were introduced in the late 16th century and flourished until the mid 19th century when the land was required for building purposes. The best known nursery was Brompton Park owned by George London and Henry Wise which covered some 100 acres. The King’s Road became a centre for horticultural enterprises including Colvill’s Nursery, famed for its cut flowers including chrysanthemums from China, and the Exotic Nursery, known for its camellias, magnolias and orange trees.

Northern Kensington was mainly arable, supplying hay to the London market. Two farms, Notting Barns and Portobello - named in honour of the capture of Puerto Bello by Admiral Vernon in 1739 - dominated the area, occupying some 400 acres of land. By 1828 Notting Barns, comprising some 150 acres, was mainly used for dairy farming. The old farm house was finally demolished in 1880. Portobello Farm with its extensive cornfields and meadow-land was sold in 1866 for building purposes.

Earl’s Court Farm spread over some 190 acres and was tenanted by generations of the Hutchins family. It was used for mixed arable and market gardening. After Samuel Hutchin’s death in 1844 most of the land on the western side of Earl’s Court Road was let to Samuel Alloway, a market gardener. The farm buildings were demolished and the land sold between 1875 and 1878.