Respecting this interesting anecdote, a tradition tells us that Charles II. was very partial to a walk in Hyde Park, and that at the spot to which he limited himself generally he planted two acorns from the Boscobel Tree. The trees from them grew at the north side of the Serpentine, just where the road turns off by the magazine towards Bayswater. For many years they were fenced in, but one only now remains; the other, much decayed, was removed in 1854.
Hyde Park Corner is now the most magnificent entrance to the metropolis; the entrances to the Parks, Apsley House, and, in the background, the glorious towers of Westminster, form a scene at once imposing and national. Formerly the entrance was very mean; a turnpike blocked the way, and instead of the classic archways, paltry lodges and iron gates led to the parks. Between the lodge and park side was a dead wall, eight feet high, built in the reign of Charles II., but removed in 1828. The toll-house was sold by auction, October 4th, 1825, and cleared away immediately.
The existing entrance to Hyde Park was completed in 1828, from designs of Mr. Decimus Burton; the frieze was designed by Archibald Henning; the ironwork by Bramah. The Triumphal Arch leading to Constitution Hill was built about the same time; its beautiful gates were likewise the work of Bramah.
From Hyde Park Corner the distances to the west are measured; a standard stood near to Apsley House till about 1827.
Kensington Gore was, as before shown, originally called Kyngsgore—firstly, because it belonged to the king; and secondly, from its peculiar shape; gore, an old English word, meaning “a narrow slip of land,” according to the old glossaries. In Kent, the peasantry call a triangularly-shaped piece of ground a gore; and seamstresses use the word in a similar manner to the present day, to express a gusset or piece of stuff let into their work. The early history of the Gore in connection with Kilburn Priory has been noticed; and here its modern story must be told. From Prince Albert’s Road to Noel House is generally now considered as the Gore.
Brompton Park Nursery was established during the reign of Charles II. During the greater part of the seventeenth century the land appears to have belonged to the Percivals, ancestors of the Earl of Egmont. Philip Percival, the friend of Pym and Hollis, was born here in 1603. Brompton Park appears to have extended from what is now called Cromwell Road to the road from Knightsbridge to Kensington. Various properties were cut out of it; but the Percivals were here at least till 1675. Soon after this date about sixty acres appear to have been formed into a nursery garden, the first ever established in this country. It early excited great attention, more particularly about 1690–1700, when it belonged to George London and Henry Wise, the most celebrated gardeners of the time. Evelyn, in his “Diary,” records, on April 24th, 1694, taking “Mr. Waller to see Brompton Park, where he was in admiration at the store of rare plants, and the method he found in that noble nursery, and how well it was cultivated.” Evelyn again alludes to the nursery in his “Sylva,” declaring that the “sight” of it “gave an idea of something greater” than he could express. He speaks highly of the skill and industry here shown, and says the like is not to be met with in this or any other country. Bowack, writing in 1705, affirms that if the plants were valued but at one penny each, they would be worth above £40,000.
Messrs. London and Wise translated from the French “The Complete Gardener,” published in 1701. They were gardeners to William III.; and Kensington Gardens were laid out by them. Wise also superintended the laying-out of Hampton Court; and Evelyn mentions visiting him there. After them, the establishment went through various hands; but when the surrounding fields were built on, the smoke injured the plants; and the railways bringing up fruit and vegetables cheaper than they could be brought to perfection at here, the business gradually diminished, and in 1853 entirely ceased.
Along an ancient wall separating the grounds from those of Cromwell House, a valuable collection of vines was planted, which were cultivated with great success. This wall, the contents of the gardens, and the dwellings therein, were cleared away in 1855. The following list of owners is chiefly taken from Faulkner:—