The Hurlingham Club Past & Present
Mar 23, 2016
1
islington squares
The Hurlingham Club
Past & Present
chestertonhumberts.com
2
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
3
islington squares
Introduction
3
the hurlingham club
The Hurlingham Club in Fulham, south west
London has long being a popular private club,
with river views, excellent sports facilities and
of course the grand Hurlingham House at its
heart. However, it was the Club’s association
with polo that brought it to the attention of the
world and certainly the social set of Victorian
and Edwardian Britain.
Today, the Club still continues to offer members
excellent sport facilities, but since 1939 the very
sport that contributed to its fame was no longer
played at Hurlingham – that is, until 2009
when the organisers of MINT Polo in the Park
brought the game back home.
Once part of the original Hurlingham Estate,
but more specifically polo field no. 1,
Hurlingham Park (as it’s named now) used to
host the Club’s weekly polo fixtures, gathering
huge crowds throughout the summer months.
Nowadays, Hurlingham Park is a public
recreational and sporting field but once a
year in June, along with The Hurlingham Club,
it hosts something very special…
Europe’s fastest growing polo tournament;
MINT Polo in the Park.
Six teams, each representing global cities, play
over a 3 day period using slightly adapted rules,
for the much coveted MINT Trophy.
This new form of polo revived the long tradition
of the game at Hurlingham, dating back to
1874. However, the history of the house and
the Hurlingham Club extend back to the 18th
century and beyond. This brochure offers an
historical overview of Hurlingham.
Early History
4
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
Early HistoryEarly History
the hurlingham club
4
the hurlingham clubthe hurlingham club
Until the 18th century, this portion of
the Fulham riverside was open fields and
orchards, with very few buildings between
the Bishops Palace and Fulham High Street,
near today’s Putney Bridge, and the village of
Broomhouse, near today’s Broomhouse Lane.
The land, known as Hurlingham Field,
was part of the manor of the Bishops of
London, dating back to before the Norman
Conquest in 1066. The Bishops Palace was
used as a home for the Bishops of London for
over 900 years until the 1970s. The first mention
of Hurlingham appeared in the manor rolls
in 1489 with a number of spellings, including
‘Hurlyngholdfeld’ and ‘Hurnyghamfeld’.
Because of its isolation, during the 17th century,
Hurlingham became the site of a ‘pest-house’ or
isolation hospital for sufferers of the plague. In
fact, it is believed that the area near the lake was
used for a plague pit for the hundreds of people
who died of the Black Death from the 1630s,
until as late as the 1730s. From around 1670 the
pest house was used as accommodation for the
poor, along with some additional almshouses,
these were the only buildings in the area until
the mid 18th century.
In 1693, King William and Queen Mary
introduced an act that allowed the Bishops
to grant leases, which made the way for
new houses to be built in the open fields of
Hurlingham. After this time, there were a
number of large country houses built along the
riverside, constructed as retreats for the wealthy,
away from the cramped and polluted city of
London. The location was also ideal because of
the construction of the first (wooden)
Putney Bridge in 1729.
The first wooden Putney Bridge
Image by kind permission of The Hurlingham ClubReproduced by permission of English Heritage. NMR
5
islington squares
5
the hurlingham clubOrdnance Survey map 1865
chestertonhumberts.com
6
The House
The first house to be constructed on Hurlingham
Field was for Dr William Cadogan who leased
nine acres in 1760 to build a ‘cottage’, which is
the core of today’s Hurlingham House. Cadogan
was a successful physician and Governor of the
Foundling Hospital. He is most remembered for
his dissertation on gout and chronic diseases, as
well as his essay on the nursing and management
of children, given in 1748. During Cadogan’s time
at Hurlingham he had many prominent visitors,
including writer, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and
actor, David Garrick. Looking at today’s house,
the north front, along with the bow–fronted
Ante Room and Reading Room are believed
to be part of Cadogan’s original house.
After Cadogan passed away in 1797, the lease
for Hurlingham was taken by John Ellis, who
employed architect, George Byfield to transform
the small country house into the neo-classical
mansion that we see today. In 1800, Ellis acquired
the freehold for Hurlingham, along with an
additional 11 acres of land and the transformation
of the house by Byfield was completed in 1803.
Along with extending the house, Ellis also sought
advice on the grounds and gardens from renowned
landscape gardener, Humphrey Repton.
Since the 17th century, the Ellis family had
been plantation owners in Jamaica and held a
number of prominent positions in the Colonial
Government there. John Ellis’ brother, Charles
was a good friend of George Canning, who later
became Prime Minister. In fact, Charles Ellis
was Canning’s second in his famous duel with
Lord Castlereagh in 1809. Canning is believed
to have often visited John and Charles Ellis at
Hurlingham during the early 1800s, and it is also
understood that Lord Admiral Nelson and Lady
Hamilton may also have visited Hurlingham
during this time.
By 1807, Ellis had sold the Hurlingham estate to
George O’Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont,
and Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, whose country
seat was Petworth in Sussex. However, within a
few years Wyndham leased the house to his former
tutor, the Right Reverend Euseby Cleaver,
Archbishop of Dublin, who was also known
as the ‘mad Archbishop’.
By 1820, Lord Egremont sold Hurlingham to
John Horsely Palmer, a merchant with the East
India Company, who later became the Governor
of the Bank of England. Palmer extended the
Hurlingham estate by adding a further
16 acres, but in the mid 1830s he let the estate to
Richard, Marquess Wellesley, elder brother of the
Duke of Wellington. The Duke of Wellington
is understood to have visited his brother at
Hurlingham during this time. Palmer retained
Hurlingham until 1858 when his executors sold
the house and estate to Richard Christopher
Naylor, who was also a banker, as well as a
racehorse owner, whose horse ‘Macaroni’ won
the Derby in 1863. Naylor lived at Hurlingham
until 1867 when he leased it to Frank Heathcote
who was keen to establish pigeon-shooting at
Hurlingham. He gained permission from Naylor
and within a couple of years established the
Hurlingham Club.
the hurlingham club
7
the hurlingham club
7
the hurlingham club
In 1797, the lease for Hurlingham was taken by John Ellis, who employed architect, George Byfield to transform the small country house into the neo-classical mansion that we see today.
Image by kind permission of The Hurlingham Club
8
chestertonhumberts.com
Mulgrave House and Broom House
Image by kind permission of The Hurlingham Club
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Hurlingham
House was adjacent to two further country
houses. Mulgrave House and Little Mulgrave
House were located to the west and Broom
House located on the east. The grounds of the
Mulgrave Estate ran from Hurlingham Road all
the way down to the river, encompassing the lake,
where the tennis courts and swimming pool are
located today. In fact, it is believed that between
1769 and 1772 Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was
responsible for the creation of the lake.
Little Mulgrave House was built around 1715
and was formerly home to Sir Philip Stephens,
Secretary of the Admiralty. It was during this
time that it is believed explorer, Captain James
Cook would visit and it has been suggested that
the great plane tree overshadowing the lake was
actually planted by Captain Cook. Mulgrave
House was completed in 1741 and home to a
number of notable residents. The Mulgrave estate
was later leased by the Hurlingham Club in 1879
and used as a home for the polo manager and
accommodation for visiting polo players.
Broom House was built in 1768 and formerly
stood in the south east corner, between the
river Thames and Broomhouse Lane. From the
1820s, Broom House was the home of Elizabeth
Temple, wife of Laurence Sulivan, Under
Secretary of State for War, and she was also the
sister of Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston.
the hurlingham club
9
the hurlingham club
9
the hurlingham clubImage by kind permission of The Hurlingham Club
10
islington squares chestertonhumberts.com
The formation of Hurlingham Club
The records show that a ten year lease was
signed between Naylor and the Trustees of
the Club, Viscount Holmesdale, Sir Charles
Mordaunt, Bt, and Francis Heathcote in 1869,
back dated to March 1868. However, the first
recorded Club committee meeting took place in
February 1869 and it is from this date that the
Club takes as the official foundation date.
When Hurlingham Club was established, it was
created with the purpose of being an ‘agreeable
country resort’ as well as for the sport of pigeon
shooting. The Club was originally only open
from April to August, but it soon became a
popular resort during the season. There were
shooting and non-shooting members, and each
was allowed to introduce one lady guest without
further payment. By the early 1870s, the Club
had almost 800 members, of whom only 283
were shooting members, but at this time, pigeon-
shooting was still the only outdoor activity.
The Hurlingham Club had royal connections
from the start, with the Prince of Wales and
the Duke of Cambridge invited to become
honorary members, along with the Duke of
Edinburgh. Even, the exiled Emperor Napoleon
III was invited to make use of the Club.
The original Hurlingham estate only covered
a portion of what it became prior to World
War II, with successive additions throughout
the 19th and early 20th centuries. The trustees
of the Club were able to purchase the freehold
for Hurlingham in 1874 and set about the
introduction of the first polo ground. By 1879,
the Club leased Mulgrave House and its
13 acres from the 7th Lord Ranelagh.
As a pigeon-shooting Club, Hurlingham
attracted many high-profile members and
visitors, but it was the introduction of polo that
saw the Club rise to become one of the most
popular places to visit during the London
season. This, combined with the Club’s royal
patrons, including the Prince of Wales
(later Edward VII,) ensured its status
and prominence.
In 1875, the rule book stated the aims of
the Club as “instituted for the purpose of
providing a ground for pigeon shooting, polo
etc. Surrounded with such accessories and so
situated as to render it an agreeable country
resort, not alone to those who take part in
pigeon shooting and polo, but also to their
families and friends.”
During the Victorian and Edwardian period,
the Club consisted of Hurlingham House,
where members could dine, along with the
polo pavilion, the polo ground and stabling
for 75 polo ponies. There was also the pigeon-
shooting pavilion and enclosure, as well as the
10
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
The formation of Hurlingham ClubThe formation of Hurlingham Club
The Hurlingham Club had royal connections
from the start, with the Prince of Wales and
the Duke of Cambridge invited to become
The formation of Hurlingham Club
The Hurlingham Club had royal connections
from the start, with the Prince of Wales and
The formation of Hurlingham Club
The Hurlingham Club had royal connections
from the start, with the Prince of Wales and
the Duke of Cambridge invited to become
honorary members, along with the Duke of
Edinburgh. Even, the exiled Emperor Napoleon
III was invited to make use of the Club.
The original Hurlingham estate only covered
a portion of what it became prior to World
11
islington squares
introduction of new sports facilities such as
tennis courts and the grounds, with ornamental
lake and flower gardens. The Club became a
popular spot to watch polo and meet friends,
as well as have dinner and teas and listen to
bands during the season.
At the turn of the 20th century there were some
significant changes at Hurlingham. Edward
VII, who was already an active member, often
visiting with his ‘set’, became patron after the
death of Queen Victoria. By December 1905
pigeon shooting was discontinued and the
shooting ground became a tea ground.
Hurlingham remained at the heart of the London
social season during the Edwardian era. Honorary
members included the Prince of Wales, later
Edward VIII, as well as Winston Churchill, the
King of Spain and the Duke of York. Other key
events brought high-profile guests to the Club.
11
the hurlingham club
King of Spain and the Duke of York. Other key
events brought high-profile guests to the Club.events brought high-profile guests to the Club.events brought high-profile guests to the Club.
Hurlingham remained at the heart of the London
social season during the Edwardian era. Honorary
members included the Prince of Wales, later
Edward VIII, as well as Winston Churchill, the
King of Spain and the Duke of York. Other key
events brought high-profile guests to the Club.
Nowhere is a more picturesque gathering of beautiful women and handsome men to be seen than at Hurlingham on a fine afternoon during the London season.The Sketch June 26 1895
Image: Getty Images Gallery
12
islington squares chestertonhumberts.comchestertonhumberts.comthe hurlingham club
12
...the classic Hurlingham day was to drive down to the Club in carriage or cab, take part in or watch an ‘event’, have tea in front of the Club House, listen to the band, meet and chat to friends in ‘society’ and go home by moonlight; thus fulfilling Frank Heathcote’s original purpose in founding the Club, namely to stage sporting competitions in beautiful surroundings where ladies would accompany their gentleman to watch.
History of Hurlingham (500-2000) Nigel Miskin, August 2000
Image by kind permission of Hammersmith & Fulham Archives and Local History Centre
13
islington squares
13
the hurlingham club
Improvements and extensionsThroughout the life of Hurlingham, it has been
extended and altered a number of times.
The most dramatic was the change from the
18th century ‘cottage’ to the neo-Classical
house we see today, but there have been other
changes, including those by Colonel Sir Robert
Edis, the Club architect in the 1880s, who also
worked on alterations to the Royal residence at
Sandringham and was also responsible for
the designs of The Grand Central Hotel,
now the Landmark Hotel, in Marylebone.
However, Edis is most often remembered for
his service to the Artists Rifles, a volunteer
regiment of the British Army. He was knighted
for his services with the Artists Rifles in 1919.
One of the most significant alterations made
to the house was undertaken by renowned
architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1906. Lutyens
is often remembered for his work in New Delhi,
as well as many war memorials, including the
cenotaph in Whitehall. Lutyens was engaged
to make the changes, which included the
enlargement of the main entrance and access
to the house, also creating the Long Gallery,
the main staircase and the corridor to the
Long Dining Room. Lutyens continued as
the Hurlingham Club architect until 1912.
Significantly, the Hurlingham estate was also
extended by the acquisitions of neighbouring
property. Firstly, the Mulgrave estate was
acquired in 1896, although it had already
been leased since 1879. It was available for
members to rent with ‘six bedrooms available,
for members...inclusive o f bath’ and also
‘accommodation for valets’. However, by 1927
it was found to be full of dry rot and it was
demolished by the end of that year.
The second significant acquisition was that
of Broom House after the death of Miss
Charlotte Sulivan in May 1911. The house and
surrounding land was purchased by April 1912
and added a further 80 acres to the Hurlingham
Club. The house was later demolished and made
room for further sports grounds and is where
the cricket pitch is situated today.
Polo
14
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.comchestertonhumberts.com
The game of polo originated in Persia, but it
was in India that it became popular, flourishing
amongst the colonial administrators and the
military. However, it wasn’t until 1869 that
polo first came to England when the 10th
Hussars challenged the 9th Lancers to a
game on Hounslow Heath.
As early as 1872, Club manager, Captain the
Hon D.J. Monson talked about introducing
the new game of polo to Hurlingham, but
the Club had to negotiate the purchase
of the Hurlingham freehold from Naylor.
Through the support of Lord De L’Isle and
Dudley, Colonel Dudley Carleton, later Lord
Dorchester, Lord Amherst, and others, but
under the direct supervision of Captain the
Hon D.J. Monson (who had been manager
since 1870), polo saw such a successful
introduction at Hurlingham.
The first game of polo played at Hurlingham
was on Saturday 6th June, 1874 between the
Royal Horse Guards and the Monmouthshire
Polo Club. It drew a large crowd of spectators,
including the Prince and Princess of Wales
and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The first goal was scored by the Marquess of
Worcester, later the Duke of Beaufort.
Along with the first match being played at
Hurlingham in 1874, the rules of the game
were drawn up by the Hurlingham Club
committee and published in 1875. From that
time onwards Hurlingham was synonymous
with polo and the controlling body for polo
remains the Hurlingham Polo Association.
The Club became the headquarters of polo
for the British Empire and was the location
for major competitions, including the annual
Champion Cup, inaugurated in 1876, as well as
the Westchester Cup matches between England
and the United States. The Cup was presented
by the Westchester Polo Club of Newport,
Rhode Island in the United States in 1886 and
was also known as the ‘America Cup’. Other key
competitions included the Inter-Regimental
and County Cup tournaments which began in
1878, along with the match between Oxford
and Cambridge. They all became annual events,
in addition to many Club matches.
Along with being at the centre of the game
of polo in England, the Hurlingham Club
continued to offer social delights for members
and their guests. In 1887, the year of Queen
Victoria’s Jubilee, Hurlingham was visited by
many members of British royalty, as well as
royalty and aristocracy from across the world,
including the King of Denmark,the King and
Queen of the Belgians, The Prince Komatsu
of Japan and The Crown Prince and Princess
of Portugal. Such high-profile guests were a
common sight at other times, including King
Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, who would
visit for the occasional polo match.
15
islington squaresImage by kind permission of Islington Local History Centre
15
the hurlingham clubImage courtesy of Mary Evans Picture Library
“Hurlingham on June 18, 1921 was watched by the King and Queen, with many other royalties, and a great gathering of society”
Illustrated London News, June 25, 1921
Polo
16
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
The success of polo inspired further events,
including polo pony races, pony and hack
shows and it also provoked expansion of the
polo facilities. The first polo pavilion was built
in 1876 and additional stabling for polo ponies
in 1886. At one time the Club offered stabling
for fifty horses and 200 polo ponies. For 20
years the Club only had the one polo ground,
but in 1894 the Club acquired No.2 polo
ground and the first matches were played in
May 1895. A grand new polo grand stand was
built at No.1 polo ground in 1934. With 2,600
seats it was ready for a polo audience by May
1935 and the old stand and pavilion, formerly
near Broomhouse lane, was pulled down.
However, additional smaller stands were also
added with seating for 1,200 people.
In 1908, the Club presented a Challenge Cup
to the winning team in the polo event at the
London Olympics. The trophy, designed by
the Goldsmiths Company, was won by the
Roehampton team, but under the terms of the
Deed of Gift it was returned to Hurlingham
in 1912 and has remained in the Club since.
In 1924, the Club celebrated the 50th
anniversary of polo at Hurlingham. There was
a Jubilee match, Hurlingham vs. the Army,
as well as a dance on the 7th June. That years’
season also featured the Inter-University
Match, Champion and Inter-Regimental
Cups, as well as Pony Polo shows and a ladies
Gymkhana. In 1935, the Inter-Regimental
polo tournament was played for the 50th time
and the Maharajah of Kashmir brought over
fifteen teams to compete.
17
islington squaresImage by kind permission of Islington Local History Centre
17
the hurlingham club
Hurlingham was the cradle and home of English polo and for sixty-five years the game flourished there and made the name of the Club famous all over the polo-playing world. A favourite resort during the summer season, thousands flocked to Hurlingham to watch the more important matches.The Hurlingham Club by Captain Taprell Dorling, 1953
Images by kind permission of Hammersmith & Fulham Archives and Local History Centre
18
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
Although the Hurlingham Club began with
pigeon-shooting and became most famous for
its connection with polo, it did offer a number
of other sports and activities. One of the key
activities at Hurlingham, which carries on
today is tennis. Lawn tennis began to receive
popular attention in the 1870s, with the first
mention in The Field in March 1874 and the
first ‘All England’ (Wimbledon) tournament
starting in July 1877. Tennis was first introduced
to Hurlingham in the 1880s and soon became
a core sport for the Club. During the early period,
racquets were available for hire at 2s 6d a time.
Other sports established at Hurlingham
include croquet, which was introduced around
1900. The Club remains the venue for the
Croquet Association’s Tournaments. Another
sport was lacrosse, with the first game played
on the polo ground between two Canadian
teams on 3rd June 1876.
Golf at Hurlingham was first suggested in
1893 and a nine hole course was opened on
6th October, 1894. It was many years later,
in 1925 that an 18 hole putting course was
laid out. Another key attraction during the
late 19th and early 20th centuries were the
balloon contests organised by the Royal Aero
Club. The list of sports and events continued
with fencing, archery, skittles, wrestling,
baseball and motor-car rallies. There was even
a steeplechase event, known as ‘The Victoria
Cross’ in the late 1890s, in which horses and
riders had to jump various fences and the rider
(after tying his horse to a tree) had to ferry a
‘dead body’ by boat across the lake and back.
Hurlingham was also the location for a
number of fetes, including those held to
celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilees in 1887
and 1897. There were also Boys Scouts
Association rallies (Lord Baden-Powell had
been a member since 1904) held in 1911 and
1914, plays and concerts, bridge, bowls, squash,
archery and even model aircraft displays.
The annual Eton and Harrow Ball (renamed
the Hurlingham Ball in 1950), was a key event
in the social calendar. The ball was such a
popular event that gate-crashing was rife, which
included people entering from all sides of the
grounds – including the river, when Putney boat
men rowed the gate crashers over specially.
There were many other parties and events,
including the annual Indian Empire Garden
Parties, the Royal Artillery Garden Party and
the Army Lawn Tennis Tournaments. From
1931, the Cambridge Boat Race crew were
accommodated at the Club for two weeks prior
to the race. One of the grandest events was
the British Commonwealth and Empire Ball
held on the 7th July 1953 (a few weeks after
the coronation) organised by the Royal Empire
Society, the Victoria League and the Overseas
League and attended by HM Queen Elizabeth
II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Racquets, clubs and balloons at Hurlingham
19
islington squares
19
the hurlingham clubImage: Getty Images Gallery
20
the hurlingham club chestertonhumberts.com
Two World Wars
Hurlingham Club has long had close ties with
the military and the Club was made available
for servicemen and women throughout both
wars. During World War I, the 3rd Reserve
county of London Yeomanry were stationed at
the Club from October 1914. Later, the 12th
Royal Lancers were also accommodated at the
Club and then in 1915 they were replaced by
the Norfolk Yeomanry. The Royal Naval Air
Service also used the No.1 polo ground for a
balloon detachment.
The affect on Hurlingham Club during World
War II was more significant, but throughout all
the difficulties, the Club continued to operate.
Around 450 officers and men from the Army and
Royal Air Force were quartered at Hurlingham,
along with an anti-aircraft battery on No.2 polo
ground, as well as a balloon barrage unit. The
close proximity to the river meant Hurlingham
was more at risk and it withstood 27 bombs
and a landmine. There was slight bomb damage,
including the demolition of the conservatory on
the west side and the crystal dome on the east.
On one particular occasion all the windows on
the river side were blown in by the heavy blast
of a ‘doodle-bug’ which fell in Wandsworth.
By 1942, most of the army occupation had
ended, but No.1 polo ground had been turned
into 350 allotments.
Despite the hardships suffered by many during
the war, there were two regular fixtures at
Hurlingham. Firstly, the Hurlingham Club
orchestra played every Saturday and Sunday
from May to September and there were
regular putting competitions. Hurlingham
survived because of the many military and civil
staff members based in London who found
Hurlingham offered an escape within easy
access, essential due to the limited fuel supplies.
Reduced membership fees and complimentary
passes were also offered to the staffs of the
Allied and foreign embassies in London and
the officers of Allied armed forces.
Between the wars
During the 1920s and 30s it took a while for
the Club to recover from the affects of World
War I and the impact of the Great Depression,
but the Club was able to expand and ran much
as it did before the war. Improvements included
the outdoor swimming pool, built in 1933 and
the squash courts, built in 1934. In 1935, special
celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of George V
brought honorary members such as foreign Prime
Ministers, as well as the American Davis Cup
team and the South African Cricket team.
The most significant event was the great Thames
flood of 1928 which covered the grounds in more
than six feet of water and reached the house.
The water rose to a height of nine inches on the
south wall of the Club house, flooding all the
reception rooms. The west lounge was flooded,
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
permanent embankment was constructed along
the riverbank, which is the embankment that we
see today with the riverside walk.
Momentous events
The water rose to a height of nine inches on the
south wall of the Club house, flooding all the
reception rooms. The west lounge was flooded,
south wall of the Club house, flooding all the
reception rooms. The west lounge was flooded,
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
The water rose to a height of nine inches on the
south wall of the Club house, flooding all the
reception rooms. The west lounge was flooded,
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
During the 1920s and 30s it took a while for During the 1920s and 30s it took a while for
the Club to recover from the affects of World
War I and the impact of the Great Depression,
but the Club was able to expand and ran much
as it did before the war. Improvements included
the outdoor swimming pool, built in 1933 and
the squash courts, built in 1934. In 1935, special
but the Club was able to expand and ran much
as it did before the war. Improvements included
the outdoor swimming pool, built in 1933 and
the squash courts, built in 1934. In 1935, special
celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of George V
brought honorary members such as foreign Prime
Ministers, as well as the American Davis Cup
During the 1920s and 30s it took a while for
the Club to recover from the affects of World
War I and the impact of the Great Depression,
but the Club was able to expand and ran much
as it did before the war. Improvements included
the outdoor swimming pool, built in 1933 and
the squash courts, built in 1934. In 1935, special
celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of George V
brought honorary members such as foreign Prime
Ministers, as well as the American Davis Cup
team and the South African Cricket team.
The most significant event was the great Thames
flood of 1928 which covered the grounds in more
than six feet of water and reached the house.
The water rose to a height of nine inches on the
south wall of the Club house, flooding all the
reception rooms. The west lounge was flooded,
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
chestertonhumberts.com
permanent embankment was constructed along
the riverbank, which is the embankment that we
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
permanent embankment was constructed along
the riverbank, which is the embankment that we
On one particular occasion all the windows on
the river side were blown in by the heavy blast
of a ‘doodle-bug’ which fell in Wandsworth.
By 1942, most of the army occupation had
ended, but No.1 polo ground had been turned
into 350 allotments.
Despite the hardships suffered by many during
the war, there were two regular fixtures at
Hurlingham. Firstly, the Hurlingham Club
orchestra played every Saturday and Sunday
from May to September and there were
regular putting competitions. Hurlingham
survived because of the many military and civil
staff members based in London who found
Hurlingham offered an escape within easy
access, essential due to the limited fuel supplies.
Reduced membership fees and complimentary
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
chestertonhumberts.com
permanent embankment was constructed along
the riverbank, which is the embankment that we
see today with the riverside walk.
Momentous eventsMomentous events
On one particular occasion all the windows on
the river side were blown in by the heavy blast
of a ‘doodle-bug’ which fell in Wandsworth.
By 1942, most of the army occupation had
ended, but No.1 polo ground had been turned
Despite the hardships suffered by many during
the war, there were two regular fixtures at
Hurlingham. Firstly, the Hurlingham Club
orchestra played every Saturday and Sunday
from May to September and there were
regular putting competitions. Hurlingham
survived because of the many military and civil
staff members based in London who found
access, essential due to the limited fuel supplies.
the kitchen and adjoining store rooms flooded
to a depth of 30 inches and the cellars to a depth
of four feet two inches. After the flood, a higher
chestertonhumberts.com
permanent embankment was constructed along
the riverbank, which is the embankment that we
see today with the riverside walk.
Momentous events
2121
the hurlingham club
The end of polo at Hurlingham
In 1946, the London County Council sought
a compulsory purchase of the whole estate,
including the house. The trustees managed
to negotiate to save Hurlingham House and
surrounding buildings, but both polo grounds
were lost. After being used for allotments
throughout the war, No.1 polo ground officially
became a public sports ground, Hurlingham
Park, in October 1952. No.2 polo ground was
used for new council housing, where Sulivan
Court is situated today.
Despite the departure of polo from
Hurlingham, other activities flourished.
The pony exercise track was transformed
into the cricket field and the Croquet
association had its headquarters at
Hurlingham from 1959 until 2002.
After a 70 year absence from Hurlingham,
polo had a grand return in 2009, with the
launch of MINT Polo in the Park.
Described as a ‘high octane, fast moving and
dynamic sport’, MINT Polo in the Park uses an
adapted form of the game to create a new form
of the sport to attract a new audience to this
historic game.
Images by kind permission of The Hurlingham Club and MINT Polo in the Park
22
chestertonhumberts.com
the historian
At Chesterton Humberts we understand the
importance of national heritage, with our own
history dating back to 1805.
Chesterton Humberts greatly value the history
of houses and the insight they give to the lives of
our ancestors and our nation’s social history. As
well as being property experts we believe that it is
important to understand our history – to support
this we employ our own in-house historian to
bring the history of property to life. Chesterton
Humberts is the only UK estate agent to offer this
unique service.
The Chesterton Humberts historian is responsible
for uncovering and bringing to life the stories
behind each house, as well as giving insight into
the history of local areas and streets.
On homes where the history is deemed
particularly valuable, historical information is
made available within property details. Historical
information such as former residents, when the
house was built, how the area developed, and even
any significant events in the house are used to
give an insight into the history of the house and
the people who have lived there.
Along with providing an historical overview of
the house, the Chesterton Humberts historian
works closely with our marketing team and
journalists with a view to generating additional
publicity for the property. Whether the home
of a famous resident, striking architecture or an
association with an historic event, the historian
can offer a unique perspective that may generate
further media coverage.
People are increasingly interested in knowing
more about the history of their house or the
house they hope to live in. Most people have
walked along a street and noticed a blue plaque
or a particular building and wondered how long it
has been there or what it may have been hundreds
of years ago. The Chesterton Humberts historian
can give an insight to these mysteries and an
overview of the life of a house and the people
who have called it home.
melanie backe-hansen
Specialist in researching the history of houses.Chesterton Humberts is the only estate agent to employ a full time house historian.
Read Melanie’s blog athttp://property-blog.chestertonhumberts.com/or follow Melanie on twitterhttp://twitter.com/househistorian
melanie backe-hansen
the hurlingham club
Image by kind permission of Hammersmith & Fulham Archives and Local History Centre
23
24
islington squares chestertonhumberts.com
chestertonhumberts.com
Fulham Munster Road Office191 Munster RdFulham London sw6 6bysalest: 020 7471 [email protected]
Fulham New Kings Road Office78 New Kings RoadFulham London sw6 4ltsalest: 020 7731 [email protected]: 020 7348 [email protected]
Fulham Road Office654 Fulham RoadFulham London sw6 5rusalest: 020 7384 [email protected]: 0207 384 [email protected]