walk/tour
Maxwell Fry, 1937
Kensal House (pedestrian entrance), Ladbroke Grove, W10 5BQ
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Walk through almost a century of housing at Kensal House, from its pioneering modernist design to the future of the neighbouring Kensal Gasworks Opportunity Area. Explore the Grade II* listed estate's architecture, communal spaces and social history before finishing in the Residents' Room with an exhibition examining proposals for the future of this remarkable corner of North Kensington.
Kensal Green, Ladbroke Grove
Kensal Green, Kensal Rise
18, 228, 23, 452, 52, 70
The planned route involves stairs but please let us know in advance if you require an alternative route.
The tour includes climbing stairs. Loud train noises are frequent as Paddington mainline is adjacent. Seating and toilets at the end
Walking tour
10:00–11:30
Past, Present and Future: A Conversational Walking Tour of North Kensington Housing
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Completed in 1937, Kensal House was commissioned by the Gas Light and Coke Company as an experiment in modern housing. Designed by Maxwell Fry with housing pioneer Elizabeth Denby, it became Britain's first modernist housing estate designed specifically for working-class families. Its philosophy of 'community in action' brought together innovative architecture with shared facilities including a nursery, workshops, gardens, allotments, a playground and a community theatre.
The walk will begin on site at Kensal House, and tour the communal residential areas including tropical garden, playground, ball court and residents room, to see visualisations of the proposed Kensal Gasworks developments.. We will then travel to the Kensal Gasworks 'Opportunity Area' and compare/contrast the current proposal for new North Kensington Housing.
The tour concludes by examining proposals for the neighbouring Kensal Gasworks Opportunity Area. Through maps, historic material and visualisations, we'll explore how this nationally significant regeneration site could transform the setting of Kensal House. Visitors are invited to consider the opportunities and challenges surrounding heritage, affordable housing, sustainability, transport and community.