Kennington Lane, Bradshaw’s Hand Book (No.100)

posted in: Bradshaw in London, Home | 2

Bradshaw says ‘..In Kennington Lane is the Licensed Victuallers’ School, and further on is the principal entrance to Vauxhall Gardens, a favourite place of summer resort from the reign of Charles II to that of Victoria..’.

The Licensed Victuallers’ School was founded in 1803 and rebuilt in 1836 in the fields around London. In 1921 the school moved out of its urban setting into the countryside in Slough, and again in the 1980s to escape urbanisation. Today Imperial Court (the school) is 225 Kennington Lane and residential apartments.

The Licensed Victuallers School (www.british-history.ac.uk)
The Licensed Victuallers School (www.british-history.ac.uk)
The Licensed Victuallers’ School, 1836 (www.british-history.ac.uk)

15-4-17 Kennington Road LR-48

‘..Vauxhall Gardens, a favourite place of summer resort from the reign of Charles II to that of Victoria. They were first opened for public amusement by Jonathan Tyers in June 1732, and their long career of 127 years was brought to a close only in 1859 when they were sold for building purposes.’ The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens were also known as Spring Gardens and opened in 1661. The style of these gardens was copied elsewhere – interesting post here. Tyers, in association with William Hogarth, turned the Gardens into a mix of park/circus/fairground/Kenwood House – an adults’ playground!

Vauxhall Gardens
Vauxhall Gardens by Samuel Wale, 1715 (Wikipedia)
Old entrance to Vauxhall Gardens, 1825 (www.british-history.ac.uk)
Old entrance to Vauxhall Gardens, 1825 (www.british-history.ac.uk)
Kennington Lane today
Kennington Lane today
New entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
New entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

15-4-17 Kennington Road LR-56

Interestingly, ‘Vauxhall’ is derived from Falkes de Breautéa mercenary from Gascony who rose to high rank in the Middle Ages and who married into the Earls of Devon, the owners of the Manor of South Lambeth in the 1200s.

15-4-17 Kennington Road LR-49

You may be interested in
Kennington
The Vauxhall Gardens and here and Pleasure Gardens in London
Vauxhall Spring Gardens
Developing the Gardens
David Hughson: London, 1808
Developing the Parks

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