A History of the Russell Farm Estate

Residential Estate (from 1934)

Residents of the Estate

July 28, 2025

Extracts and Notes about people living in the area

Goodwood Avenue and Minerva Drive

The following notes and a few used earlier, were collated by Minerva Drive and Goodwood Avenue residents for the queen’s jubilee party in 2022; see photo.

The Drive

The eagle eyed may spot the red car that was a permanent feature in the garden of Wedgeways for many years.

Some locals may remember Joe Masters who lived there with his wife Daphne.

Alex Bannister

Alex Bannister, a cricket writer and journalist, who was cricket correspondent for the ‘Daily Mail’ from 1947 to 1979. His family worked at Russell Farm, and lived in the lodges.

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.