4.5.10 Rose Walk and The South Border
Rose Walk and South Border exhibit a distinctly formal character, with both private roads designed to curve gently while running parallel to one another. The regularly spaced building plots and gaps, create visually striking and harmonious street views. The buildings along these roads are integral to the estate's original development, making a significant contribution to the special interest of the conservation area. While the landscaping and boundaries treatment differ from plot to plot, each is framed by meticulously designed borders, reinforcing the cohesive and refined character of the streetscape.
Rose Walk
4.5.11 Rose Walk, one of the most renowned roads in the area, was frequently visited by Queen Mary, who admired its beautiful rose borders. The road is characterised by its rose-lined borders as per Webb’s original planting scheme, occasional pergolas in front of each plot, and the gravel paths that stretch the length of the street. It is one of the more open roads, with the plots set well back from the paths, contributing to its spacious character. The road is framed by tall, ornate entrance gates at both ends, each accompanied by a single storey lodge, originally built to house the gatekeepers.
Public realm
A loose gravel footpath, bordered by wide granite curbs, separates the path from the red tarmac road.
Boundaries and borders
The streetscape typically features a formal low retaining wall, chain-link or bollard fencing, or a neatly trimmed low privet hedge, complemented by a raised landscaped border behind. Trees are generally positioned further back, enhancing the overall openness of the street. Some houses have a taller hedge, wall or more substantial planting beyond the front border.
Layout and form
Rose Walk is one of the most distinctive roads in the estate, organically formed to follow the natural contours of the topography, with gentle curves. It is characterised by a collection of some of the largest detached houses, set back from the road within well-proportioned, regularly spaced plots, with ample gaps between them. The heights and building lines are generally consistent, creating a strong rhythm and sense of cohesion within the streetscape.
37. Planting and footpath along Rose Walk
The South Border
4.5.12 The South Border is a prominent road featuring gravel footways. The planting schemes on each side, reflecting their respective orientations, are distinctive from other planting schemes on the estate. On the northern side, which benefits from direct sunlight, wide flower beds and a grass verge backed by privet hedges enhance the verdant character of the road. At the eastern end, the road is gated and flanked by single-storey lodges at both entrances, originally built for gatekeepers.
Public realm
A loose gravel footpath, bordered by wide granite curbs, separates the path from the tarmac road.
Boundaries and borders
The South Border rises uphill from the north, resulting in shadier gardens on the south, elevated above road level. The front boundaries typically feature neatly trimmed hedging. On the northern side, where the herbaceous borders have been preserved, the road features wide flower beds and a grass verge separating the pavement and the hedge. Driveways are often gated with tall iron gates and brick piers, adding to the more formal character.
Layout and form
South Border is one of the most distinctive roads in the estate, following the organic layout of Rose Walk in terms of street formation and plot arrangement. It features gentle elevation changes and curves, offering attractive vistas, particularly towards the west. The remarkable detached houses, set back from the road within well-proportioned, regularly spaced plots with ample gaps between them, are generally consistent in height and building lines, contributing to a harmonious and prominent streetscape.
38. View along the South Border