Isn’t it intriguing how a place can be named after a house instead of a church? That’s the unique story of St Margarets. Let me tell you more about this affluent London suburb. St Margarets history is tied to Saint Margaret’s House. The second version of this house stood from 1827 to 1853.
This house belonged to Archibald Kennedy. He was the 1st Marquess of Ailsa and the 12th Earl of Cassilis. Later, the Earl of Kilmorey called it home for a few decades. You can still find their names in local street names such as Kilmorey Gardens and Ailsa Road.
Before the grand houses, St Margarets witnessed a different kind of history. In 1261, it hosted the remnants of an encampment. Barons and their men gathered here during a minor civil war. This conflict was a power struggle. It was between the crown and the aristocracy. These uprisings eventually led to constitutional changes. These changes limited the monarch’s power to tax. They also moved away from edicts like the Provisions of Oxford and Westminster.
Today’s St Margarets emerged with the arrival of the railway. The railway station was initially named “Ailsa Crossing”. This was because it passed through the estate. However, it was renamed “St Margarets” before it even opened.
Victorian and Edwardian houses shape much of St Margarets. In 1854, the St Margaret’s Estate was designed for family houses. This made it one of the first garden suburbs.
St Margarets also played a role in wartime history. A memorial was unveiled in April 2017. It commemorates the 6,000 Belgian refugees who lived and worked here during World War I. The memorial stands on the Thames’ west bank in Warren Gardens. It’s near the site of the Pelabon Munitions Works.
Each July, St Margarets hosts a fair in Moormead Park. The River Crane flows by the park’s western edge.
Speaking of notable structures, J. M. W. Turner, the painter, had Solus Lodge built in 1814. It stands on Sandycoombe Road and is now known as Sandycombe Lodge. Gordon House is another significant building in St Margarets. This Grade II-listed Georgian mansion sits on the River Thames. Like St Margaret’s House, it was once owned by Lord Kilmorey. The house features a Robert Adam wing. It was added in 1738. For many years, Brunel University used it. Recently, Octagon Developments redeveloped the house. The former chapel and coach house are now private homes.
Another interesting site is the Kilmorey Mausoleum. It has been moved several times. Now, it rests on St Margarets’ northern edge. The 2nd Earl of Kilmorey built it in the 1850s. Inside lie the Earl and his mistress, Priscilla Anne Hoste. The mausoleum resembles an ancient Egyptian monument. Richmond upon Thames Council and English Heritage jointly maintain it. It is occasionally open to the public.
The Roman Catholic Church of St Margaret of Scotland is on St Margarets Road. Architect Austin Winckley designed it in a modern style. It opened in 1969. In 1999, it gained Grade II listed status. A mission that started in an adjoining house in 1930 led to its predecessor on the site from 1938. Interestingly, Twickenham and Isleworth have no other churches named after the saint.
St Margarets has been home to several notable people. Actress Samantha Bond grew up here. Comedian Milton Jones and newsreader Sophie Raworth also live in St Margarets. Historical figures like painter J. M. W. Turner and broadcaster Simon Hoggart once called St Margarets home.
So, next time you’re in London, remember St Margarets. It’s a suburb with a unique name, rich history, and notable residents. It is a place where a house gave its name to a community.