South Kensington Estates

After the enormous success of the 1851 Great Exhibition, Prince Albert and his committee bought 87 acres of land in South Kensington. Institutions and museums whose purpose was to ‘extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry’ were to be established in South Kensington to form a kind of ‘Museumland’. The area which now encompasses museums and colleges, plus the Royal Albert Hall became known as ‘Albertropolis’. The surrounding area became very fashionable and was seen as an enlightened example of urban planning in London. Adjacent landowners began to develop their land in the 1860s as a result of the creation of new roads and a boom in the development of areas around London, and the absorption of South Kensington into London was sealed by the arrival of the Underground to Gloucester Road and South Kensington in 1868, linking the area directly to the main railway termini and to the political, commercial and financial hearts of the city in Westminster, the west end and the City of London.

When taking a walk in South Kensington, it becomes clear that the area has been home to many influential people over the years, from artists and scientists to political luminaries. To name a few: Sir Henry Cole, the founder of the South Kensington Museum; Herbert Gribble, the Architect of the iconic Oratory Church on the Brompton Road; Francis Bacon, the British artist lived in the area as well as Charles Booth, pioneer of social research. South Kensington is also associated with British Establishment. The close proximity to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, which is still a royal residence, also means that it has changed relatively little.