A History of the Russell Farm Estate

Residential Estate (from 1934)

Development in the 1970’s

July 28, 2025

1970’s

“Houses on Hemingford Way and Hampden Way were built in two phases during the 1950s-1960s as residential accommodation for police officers, while Lebanon Close and the southern end of Greenbank Road were developed for the same reason in 1975. …Public housing was built in the northern part of Greenbank Road in the early 1970s.” (CoA, 2011)

It is likely that E J Waterhouse and Sons Ltd, a local family building company established in 1905, built Greenbanks housing.

View of Courtlands Drive and the shops in 1970’s

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.

Development of the Estate in the 1930’s

After 1934 the former country estate was being sold off for development and the area

Development in the 1940’s

1939-1945 – Second World War – Housebuilding The Second World War here, as elsewhere, soon

Development in the 1950’s

In the 1950’s houses were still being developed in the area – for example a

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.