Turnham Green: Industry, artists and battles

Did you know?
In November 1642, King Charles II was stopped from
entering London. The Battle of Turnham Green forced
him to retreat and the English Civil War escalated.
 

In the middle of the 19th century, Turnham Green was still a village. It was surrounded by fields and market gardens. When the railway arrived in 1849, Turnham Green's population grew rapidly into the suburb it is today.

On 13th November 1642, the Battle of Turnham Green was fought on the common land here (today we can see the remaining common in Acton Green and Chiswick Back Common). This was the English Civil War when the Parliamentarians fought the Royalists about how the country should be organised and who has the power. Throughout this weekend, the Parliamentarians blocked the King's way into London so that he could not recapture the city. The King was forced to retreat and he went to Oxford instead.

Turnham Green, site of The Battle for Turnham Green, 1642

During the 19th century industry developed in this area - there was the famous Cherry Blossom shoe polish factory, breweries, ship building and wallpaper manufacturing. Today, Turnham Green is a busy and crowded suburb of west London.

We meet at Turnham Green Station and relax over a coffee to introduce ourselves. Then we begin our short walk.

On route we see:

• St Michael & All Angels Church
• Bedford Park
• Hogarth Statue
• Sanderson's Wallpaper factory, 1879
• Acton Green Common and Chiswick Common - the site of The Battle of Turnham Green, 1642
• Chiswick Town Hall
• Christ Church Turnham Green
• Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve

Did you know?
Sanderson's Wallpaper factory was the largest employer in the area in 1979

Voysey House, 1902. Charles Voysey designed this building as an extension to Sanderson's Wallpaper factory opposite.

After the walk we relax over a coffee and go over the new vocabulary together. Ask your teacher and guide any questions.


Don't forget the VOCABULARY. You will find all the new vocabulary from the walk here.

William Hogarth Statue (famous painter and printer from 1720s. He bought a house in Chiswick in 1749)

History notes will be given to you at the end.

Bedford House, 1770

The Old Packhorse Pub

Voysey House, 1902

Christ Church Turnham Green, 1841.

Chiswick Town Hall, 1896

Did you know?
In 1821 The Royal Horticultural Society leased 33 acres of land (13.5 h). It was used for its first school of horticulture and flower shows. Some of the apple and pear trees still grow today - in people's gardens!

Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve

Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve