Primrose Hill Park, Regent's Park, and Hampstead Heath

by William Ray Smee

Such a road was much wanted, and private enterprise has already made two-thirds of it, and placed houses on both sides. Nevertheless it is altogether different from what the State would have done. It is neither broad nor straight. It does not add to, but takes from the beauty of the neighbourhood. In the meantime Hampstead Heath has become public property, and the opportunity to make a direct approach thereto from Regent Street in a way, which foreign visitors to London would have greatly admired, is permanently lost.

Mr. Smee mentions this, as it may still be worthy of consideration, whether Regent’s Park might not be opened at Portland Place, and whether anything can now be accomplished in the unmade portion of the road between Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath.

To the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P.,
&c., &c.,

Regent’s Park North,
2nd May, 1873.

On the 6th May the letter of the 26th April was acknowledged:—

To William Ray Smee, Esq.,

Sir,

Mr. Gladstone desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, on a matter which seems to belong to the province of the Metropolitan Board of Works.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,
J. A. Godley.