The spot now occupied by Palace Gardens was also enclosed and formed a kitchen garden to the Kensington Palace.
On the north side from Edgware Road, Connaught Terrace and a few houses on either side of the Burial Ground were existing, but Hyde Park Gardens were not. A little further on however was an old public house standing at the corner of a road known as Elm Grove and beyond that several wooden shops, one occupied as an oyster and ginger beer dealer and the other by a coach maker, beyond this was the Parish Ground known as “Bread and Cheese” land, occupied by a Mr. Cheese as Tea Gardens and by Mr. Hopwood as a Nursery Ground. Passing some villas we arrived at the “Black Lion” standing at the corner of Queen’s Road, then known as “Black Lion Lane,” then on to Bark Place and Orme Square, which was built by a Mr. Orme, formerly a print-seller in Bond Street, who also erected Bayswater Chapel, in St. Petersburgh Place. Behind these were Moscow Road and Coburgh Place, erected in 1814.
Beyond Petersburg Place was Victoria Place, which led to a field upon which are now built Leinster and Princes Squares and Kensington Gardens Square.
A footpath across this field led to Westbourne Grove. This footpath was the only way except Black Lion Lane by which Westbourne Grove could be reached. So much was this field in the country that I have several times seen Sunday School children taken there for their annual excursions.
A little farther down the road was Camden Street, a perfect rookery. Dirty men, women and children infested this place. Beyond this was Stourmont House, at that time a ladies’ school but it had been occupied by the Earl of Craven and let by him to Queen Ann as a nursery for the Duke of Gloucester. Dean Swift lodged here in 1712.
By the side of Stourmont House was Linden Grove—at that time a quiet grove in which resided several noted artists, including the celebrated Mr. Mulready, R.A.
Opposite Linden Grove was the Mall, another favourite residence of artists, and here lived at this time the celebrated Mr. Calcott, R.A., and Mr. Webster.
The Mall had in former time been made notorious by Thurtell, the murderer of Mr. Ware, in whose garden in the Mall the body of the murdered man was found.
At the corner of Linden Grove was situated the first shop in the village of Notting Hill, it was occupied by Mr. Fenn, tailor, who still has a business at Notting Hill and is the oldest tradesman there.
Notting Hill at this time was a little country place with few shops and those very small. It was however beginning to put on an appearance of life, for four large shops were being erected opposite Silver Street on the garden ground fronting a mansion which had been a large academy. This old house and others which have since had shops built in their forecourts may still be seen. Mr. King’s Italian Warehouse was the first London shop opened, and a crowd of people nightly assembled to see the place lighted with gas.