Property Description

Courtfield Mews is a cobbled cul-de-sac off Courtfield Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, similar in location to Astwood Mews, another original/ surviving Mews. It contains 13 properties used for residential 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 and the archway to the Mews – as a result only the stumps remain. When the London Poverty Maps were published, the Mews was noted as being one of the most impoverished households in the area.

Courtfield 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 mansard and parapet roof styles and rendered or painted brickwork facades. Parking is not permitted along the cobbled road surface and there are intact garages present. A large stone planter (the remains of the old arch to the mews) blocks the entrance to the end of the mews. Many of the properties have first floor balconies.

In the foreground of the picture below, the bases of the old arch to the mews can be seen.

Everchanging Nature

Originally the stable house accommodation for the main houses on Courtfield Gardens, the primary purpose of the Mews properties is now residential.

Before and since 2003 there have been very few planning applications made for alterations to the properties in Courtfield Mews; most notably, the raising of a rear parapet wall and the creation of a flat roof for one of the properties. Conservation Area controls apply to any new development in the Mews.