A Brief History of the Southborough Estate
In 1808 Thomas and Sarah Langley commissioned famous Regency architect John Nash to build them a country house on what was then Kingston Common. The house, a classical Palladian building, is of simple balanced lines and good details, and was completed by Nash prior to his work at Regent’s Park.
The estate was known as Southborough Place and was the only property standing within the boundaries of the present-day Brighton Road, Ditton Road, the Elmbridge boundary and the railway line.
In common with most country estates, it had its own farm, Southborough Farm, situated roughly between present-day Ashcombe Avenue, Corkran Road and Langley Avenue. There was also a small farm called Hill Farm opposite the entrance to Herne Road in Ditton Road. These farms were small and probably provided the meat, dairy, fruit and vegetable needs for the estate. A map of 1840 shows the only other dwellings in the area were the Navigators’ Cottages (housing the railway diggers) which still stand in Herne Road, a few houses in Upper Brighton Road, and one in Ditton Road. It is said that Southborough Place enjoyed uninterrupted views of the river Thames.
The area bounded by Herne Road and Brighton Road was called Hookhearne Common. Long Ditton, a manor and village that dates back to Saxon times, was the nearest village to the estate, as Surbiton was at best just a hamlet at that time, only becoming a town after the railway arrived. The nearest town was Kingston, a good ride across country or by carriage on fairly rough roads.
In 1854 the estate was inherited by Charles Corkran, a nephew of the Langleys, and who was one of the Surbiton Improvement Commissioners. In 1882, parts of the estate were disposed of, and Langley Avenue and Corkran Road were formed into good carriageways.
In 1895, following the death of Charles Corkran, the remaining estate was purchased with a mortgage by Captain James Cundy and his wife Elizabeth. Between 1880 and 1900, the land south of Langley Avenue and east of Corkran Road was sold off in large plots, and large late Victorian houses were built. Between 1884 and 1891, lodges were built for gardeners and coachmen which still stand, if somewhat enlarged, at 22 Corkran Road and 25 Langley Avenue.
Following the death of Captain Cundy in 1909, the estate passed to his widow, Elizabeth. In 1913 the Surbiton Urban District Council proposed a town planning scheme which was opposed by Elizabeth. Subsequently, agreement was reached subject to certain restrictions on development which are incorporated in the deeds of many properties in the area as covenants.
In 1920, after the death of Elizabeth, all the land passed to the remainderman (mortgager) A F Hook, and was sold off in small plots to individuals and builders.
During World War Two, Southborough House was taken over by the Canadian armed forces and used as a hospital. There are rumours that Churchill met Eisenhower there (who was based in nearby Hampton) to plan D-Day, but there is no evidence to support this.
The original buildings of Southborough House comprise a house, kitchens and preserving house, summer house and stables. All these are still standing as separate dwellings in Ashcombe Avenue. One or two trees that lined the long drive up to the house along the route of Langley Avenue from Ditton Road and Ashcombe Avenue are still standing.
Acknowledgement: All pictures on this page are reproduced by permission of Kingston Museum and Heritage Service. The colour image of Southborough House is by John Bray, 1966, and is featured in a book "Paintings of a Changing Kingston - Kingston Museum's Brill Collection" by June Sampson and Henrietta Harris: the original is held in Kingston Museum's Brill Collection.
Please contact the Hon. Secretary if you have any interesting information or photographs relating to the area.