The 112 acre Kenwood Estate in north London has been maintained for three centuries as a designed landscape and frames the villa designed by Robert Adam in 1764 to 1779. The present layout survives from the early 19th century, when the landscape gardener Humphry Repton was commissioned to transform the villa’s rural setting. The estate, which forms part of the Iveagh Bequest, has been open to the public since 1925 and approximately one third of the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
We were appointed by English Heritage as landscape term consultants, to assist with the ongoing management of the estate. Our role included undertaking comprehensive surveys of the grounds and detailed archival research, comprising exhaustive research of the estate and family papers. We also devised and coordinated the implementation of an ambitious programme of repair works, including the dredging and repair of the lakes, repair and reinstatement of drives and paths, programming and supervising ongoing maintenance and management work throughout the estate.
We were very closely involved with extensive consultation and presentation of information to the public. This involved three exhibitions, videos, information bulletins and questionnaires seeking public opinion on future management. We also prepared a comprehensive Planting Strategy for the Estate.
