The Lodges
Russell’s Estate was one of the three large estates in the area centred on significant country houses. The Estate has three Lodges: South Lodge, West Lodge and East Lodge, each located at one of the principal gateways to the estate grounds.
South Lodge, Hempstead Rd 1835
The oldest of the surviving cottages connected to the Russell’s Estate is also known as White Lodge, or Russells Lodge. This grade II listed building was built by 1835 as a lodge to Russell’s Farm. The lodge still remains, but has changed considerably since.
South Lodge is described in Watford Borough Council, Nationally Listed Buildings in Watford 2014 as:
“Circa 1835 painted brick lodge to Russell’s. Originally Russell Farm Lodge and illustrated clad in patterns of split logs in Britton’s Account of Cassiobury 1837. One storey cross plan with central triple chimney stack with moulded cornice and base. Fish-scale tiles. Gable ends to north and south, 3-sided canted bay to west and hipped gable to east. Plain chamfered window surrounds to west bay, renewed bargeboards to south gable and small projecting 3 sided window bay with tiled roof, and leaded casements with top lights. Blank panel with chamfered border above.”
Madeleine Gough in Our Watford History 2017 describes South Lodge as:
“The oldest of the surviving cottages connected to the Russell’s, this grade II listed building was built by 1835 as a lodge to Russell’s Farm.”
1913
In January 1913 a national survey of property gave a detailed description of South Lodge then occupied by one of the gardeners on the Estate, as follows:-
Ground floor: Entrance passage. Sitting room with fireplace. Bedroom with fireplace. Second bedroom opposite the last, no fireplace. Kitchen, double cupboard, oven range. Scullery, sink and pump. Outside: Pail closet, coal house and wash house with copper. Brick and tiled cottage, part lead roof. Old fashioned building, lead light casement windows. Old but fairly sound, but tenant says house is damp.
The Lodge was valued at £200.
1950’s
A comment made by a local resident was
“My parents knew the couple who lived in South Lodge, which was then an unusual council house. That would have been in the 1950s.”
West Lodge, Hempstead Road 1911
This house was built in 1911 as a lodge to the Russell’s Estate. Along with East and South lodges, which date from 1912 and 1835, the West Lodge was located at one of the principal gateways to the estate grounds. The date of construction is shown on a plaque as 1911.
Watford Borough Council, Locally Listed Buildings in Watford Page 151 describes West Lodge as:
“Detached house. Single storey building of brick covered in render. Pitched tile roof with two brick chimneys. Later additions to rear. Located on the eastern side of Hempstead Road, close to the junction with Russell Lane. “L” shaped plan. Single storey building of brick covered in render. Replacement windows. Side wing with hipped tile roof to western elevation and gable to eastern side with pitched tile roof. Splay bay to northern elevation with hipped tile roof. Recessed rectangular space above with cill contains plaque with “1911” lettering. Pitched tile roof with a triple and double chimney stack with moulded base and cornice. Bargeboards.
East Lodge, 139 Ridge Lane 1912
This house was built in 1912 as a lodge to the Russell’s Estate. Along with West and South lodges, which date from 1911 and 1835, the East Lodge was located at one of the principal gateways to the estate grounds.
East Lodge which is also known as Tunnel Wood Lodge was built in 1912 near the junction of Ridge Lane and Fairview Drive.
Madeleine Gough in Our Watford History 2017 describes East Lodge as:
This cottage is a locally listed building built in 1912 as a lodge to Russell’s Farm. This building was located at a principal gateway to the estate’s grounds.”
Watford Borough Council, Locally Listed Buildings in Watford Page 182 describes East Lodge as:
“Detached house. Single storey building of brick covered in render. Pitched tile roof with large brick chimney. Later additions to rear. Located on the eastern side of Ridge Lane, at the junction with Fairview Drive.
Other Local Lodges – not part of the Russell Farm Estate
Two buildings often incorrectly associated with the Russells Estate, Ridge Lane cottage and Russell cottage, were always part of the Cassiobury estate. Their plans were shown in Briton’s Cassiobury in 1837 and were built as accommodation for workers on the estate rather than as lodges.
Ridge Lane cottage, on Hempstead Road opposite Ridge Lane, housed two families, one on each floor, the upper storey being accessed by an external staircase. The property next door, which also appears to be of considerable age, was in fact built with materials salvaged from Cassiobury house itself when it was demolished in 1927.
Russell cottage once stood at the junction of Longspring and St. Albans Road. The site is now a car park. Apart from its name, it has no apparent connection with the Russells Estate.
