Aubrey Walk, Holland Park, London W8 7JJ
Aubrey House
Country house
Place photograph
3.5
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.5Aubrey House stands on the site of Kensington Wells, an early 18th-century spa. Its unusually detailed blue plaque recalls residents ranging from diarist Lady Mary Coke to campaigners Clementia and Peter Taylor.
This is a compact heritage stop rather than a destination for a long visit: its appeal lies in reading one London house through the lives and causes attached to it, from an early spa to abolitionism and women’s suffrage.
Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapAubrey Walk, Holland Park, London W8 7JJ
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Pause outside to read the plaque and consider the succession of people who lived at Aubrey House. The building is a private residence; public entry is not confirmed.
Things to do
Read the multi-name plaque
The unusual rectangular plaque commemorates several notable residents. Its inscription names Sir Edward Lloyd, Richard Grosvenor, Lady Mary Coke, Peter and Clementia Taylor, and William Cleverly Alexander.
10–15 minutes
Trace the house’s changing story
English Heritage records the house as having been built in the 18th century beside the site of Kensington Wells, an early 18th-century spa. It was known as Notting Hill House until the mid-19th century.
10–20 minutes
Look for the suffrage connection
The English Heritage account says the 1866 women’s suffrage petition was put together at Aubrey House, and that the first meeting of the Committee of the London National Society for Women’s Suffrage took place there on 5 July 1867.
10–20 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 15–30 minutes
Read the Aubrey House plaque
- 01
Go to Aubrey Walk and view the house from a public place.
- 02
Read the plaque’s list of residents and its reference to Kensington Wells.
- 03
Use the English Heritage account to connect the names on the plaque with the house’s later history.
Verified history
Built in the 18th century by Sir Edward Lloyd beside the site of Kensington Wells, an early 18th-century spa, the house was first known as Notting Hill House. Lady Mary Coke lived there from June 1767 and wrote about it in her diaries. In 1860 it became the home of Clementia and Peter Alfred Taylor. Clementia helped found the Ladies’ London Emancipation Society in 1863; the 1866 women’s suffrage petition was put together at the house, and the London National Society for Women’s Suffrage committee held its first meeting there on 5 July 1867. During the First World War, the house was used as a hospital. The blue plaque was erected in 1960 by London County Council.
Hidden details
A spa beneath the house’s story — The house stands on the site of Kensington Wells, an early 18th-century spa.
An unusually crowded inscription — Rather than commemorating one person, the plaque names several residents across the house’s history.
The Taylor household and suffrage — The house was the setting for important organising activity: the 1866 women’s suffrage petition was put together there, followed by the first committee meeting of the London National Society for Women’s Suffrage in July 1867.
When to go
· Daylight, when the exterior plaque can be read.
The supplied evidence does not identify a seasonal advantage.
Check the forecast before travelling. The house is an exterior viewing stop; access to the interior is not confirmed.
What to look for
Find the rectangular ceramic plaque and read its list of former residents. Notice that its story reaches beyond aristocratic residents to the Taylor household’s abolitionist and suffrage campaigning.
The story
Literature, abolitionism, women’s suffrage
Best time to go
Suitable year-round as an exterior heritage stop; conditions and visibility may vary.
Daylight is the practical choice for reading and viewing the exterior. Check access before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers
Before you go
Practical information
Opening & access
The plaque is at Aubrey House, a historic private residence. Visitor access to the house or grounds is not confirmed; view from a public place only and check before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Access to the house and grounds is not confirmed. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Aubrey House
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
