Caveat
This document has been produced for non-commercial purposes, as a summary of research conducted by residents of the area. Every
Introduction
This is a history of the Russell Farm Estate, an area in North West Watford, bounded by Hempstead Road, Ridge Lane,
17th Century Touleys/Tooleys
The land on which most of the homes surrounding Russell House stand was formerly owned by the Earls of Essex
18th Century – The Capel (Essex) Family
An early reference to the mansion appears in the Universal British Directory compiled between 1793 and 1798 which recorded:- “Russel
19th Century – Russell Farm Tenants
For almost a century following Lady Anne Capell’s death in 1804 the Earls of Essex let the mansion and the
20th Century Owners
1902 Estate Sold In 1902 the Earl, by then in considerable debt, put the Estate up for sale. The advertisement
Country Estate Staff
Some of the people living in the estate buildings Living on a country estate: In 1841 Ezekiel How, a 55
Russell Farm House
The Original Building The mansion was built to a design by Thomas Wright in 1753 by Stiff Leadbetter, one of
The Lodges
The Lodges Russell’s Estate was one of the three large estates in the area centred on significant country houses. The
Cricket at Russells
In the 30th July 1910 Watford Observer it was reported that Watford Clarence played Paget at Russell farm
The Estate Boundaries
Historical Development of Watford “New development was linked with the construction of the new distributor roads through the area, with
The Gardens
History of the Gardens Together with an overview of the design of parks and gardens there are a few mentions
Estate Trees
The area still has some wooded areas, including some older trees. The old Russell Farm Wood, to the North East
Railway and 1835 Tunnel Disaster
1837 Railway The opening of the London to Birmingham railway in 1837 heralded a new age. “20th July 1837 saw
Russell Farm Chalk Pit
The Hertfordshire XXXIX.9 map 1896/1898, shows an Old Gravel Pit to the North West of Russell Farm House.
1840’s Tithe Maps
In the mid 1840s for the first time we have a detailed picture of the Estate from the tithe map
Housing and Development of the Russell Farm Estate before 1934
It is likely that some of the houses on Ridge Lane were built before 1934. According to one report Page
Development of the Estate in the 1930’s
After 1934 the former country estate was being sold off for development and the area changed to a residential estate,
Development in the 1940’s
1939-1945 – Second World War – Housebuilding The Second World War here, as elsewhere, soon halted the sale of plots
Development in the 1950’s
In the 1950’s houses were still being developed in the area – for example a house was built on The
Development in the 1960’s
By the end of the 60’s most of the current roads had been built, with the exception of the area
Development in the 1970’s
1970’s “Houses on Hemingford Way and Hampden Way were built in two phases during the 1950s-1960s as residential accommodation for
Development in the 1980’s
Russell House The 1988 fire at Russell House was a sad end to the old house and the start of
Development in the 1990’s
A map dated 1991 shows changes over the last few decades including: Greenbanks, which was constructed some time before
1939 Register/Census
The 1939 ‘census’ gives a useful insight into the people moving into the estate. The initial National Registration Bill was
World War II
Russells Estate in the Second World War According to available information, during the war Russells played a crucial role in
Goodwood Parade
Picture of the shops taken in 2013 Extracts from Facebook Group “We Grew Up
Goodwood Recreation Ground
It is possible that the Goodwood Recreation Grounds were originally fields used by William Copeland to stable his racehorses and
Maps
The Historic England site has over 400,000 digitised photos from their aerial photo collections of over 6 million photographs preserved in
Residents of the Estate
Extracts and Notes about people living in the area Goodwood Avenue and Minerva Drive The following notes and a few
Landscape
“The whole parish lies on the chalk formation, more or less deeply covered with gravel, sand, and brick earth. It
Roads on the Estate
As the Estate was developed after 1934, broadly speaking from Ridge Lane westwards, so the roads were laid out.
Bibliography
Various books and on-line sources have been used in this research including; ‘Directory of Stage Coach Services, . (1836′ (pub.
Russells House as it is now
The Grade 2 listed Russells House, Watford, still exists – but now as a set of flats and dwellings. It is set in grounds facing Greenbank Road, and its history goes back to 1753, and earlier.
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