Property Description
Astwood Mews is a cobbled cul-de-sac off Courtfield Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, similar in location to Courtfield Mews, another original/ surviving Mews. It contains 28 properties used for residential and commercial purposes.
In World War II, a high explosive bomb fell onto Courtfield Gardens, just west of the Mews and presumably causing some damage to the properties. When the London Poverty Maps were published, the Mews was noted as having some of the most impoverished households in the area.
Astwood Mews is part of Kensington’s ‘Courtfield’ Conservation Area; first designated in 1971 as Collingham Gardens and was subsequently expanded up to 1985. It is an attractive residential enclave surrounded by many major roads, providing a firm boundary to the area meaning further expansion is unlikely. The formal terraces, gardens and wide roads provide an elegant character to the area.
The two storey properties have gable roof styles and plain or painted brickwork facades. Parking is restricted along the cobbled road surface and there are intact garages present. Wooden Bressumers can be seen, along with decorative brickwork in the facades of the buildings and original bollards at the entrance to the Mews.
Everchanging Nature
Originally the stable house accommodation for the main houses on Ashburn Gardens and Courtfield Gardens, the primary purpose of the Mews properties is now residential, though some commercial activity still takes place.
Before and since 2003 there have been a few planning applications made for alterations to the properties in Astwood Mews; most notably, changes to the fenestration and the excavation of a basement. Conservation Area controls apply to any new development in the Mews.