Herrick Court, Parkleys, London TW10

This magnificent two-bedroom apartment in Herrick Court forms part of the Grade II-listed Parkleys Estate, built by renowned developers Span in the 1950s. Parkleys was the first project by Span co-founders Eric Lyons and Geoff Townsend and is one of London’s finest residential modernist estates. It is set among beautiful communal gardens planted with flowering trees and expansive stretches of lawn that are much loved by residents. The estate is located in leafy Ham, a pretty suburb with a lovely high street, which sits between Richmond Park and the River Thames in south London.





The Estate



Span is perhaps the most celebrated of all 20th-century British residential developers. Many of the developments they worked on throughout the south of England are now listed. They are known for their outstanding yet simple modern architectural style and considered landscaping.



Parkleys Estate is an astonishingly well-maintained example of Span's work. It demonstrates many of the tropes that came to define the firm's later style, including a hanging tile façade, ribbon glazing and considered use of ironmongery, signage and colour scheme. For more information, please see the History section below.



The Tour

The apartment is on the second floor of Herrick Court. Entry is to a short hallway with plenty of storage, leading through to the main living spaces. Full-width wooden framed windows stretch across the living room, offering a panorama of the luscious treetops that ensconce the estate. Previously removed Span features have been reinstated which include a beautiful glass partition between the kitchen and living space and the tiled hearth surrounding a wood-burning stove. Engineered oak floorboards run throughout the apartment, and all the windows have been fitted with English Heritage double glazing.



The kitchen sits at the back of the plan overlooking the communal gardens. Ply cabinetry is finished with a Corian worktop and a white tiled splashback, establishing a fresh and contemporary feel. Bespoke shelving lines the left-hand wall above the dining area, maximising storage space.



An archway leads through to the bedrooms and bathrooms framed by a beautifully crafted wooden surround, a hallmark of the attention to detail exercised throughout the apartment. The main bedroom sits at the front of the plan with treetop views. Original built-in wardrobes and corner shelving provide plenty of storage in this generously proportioned room.



The second bedroom has a dual aspect, its windows wrapping around the corner of the building, the immediacy of the gardens and tree tops never out of view. The adjacent bathroom has a cream rubber floor, Johnson tiles, and Lusso matt black fixtures and fittings. This is a sympathetic update to the Span aesthetic. There is a deep corner cupboard at the end of the hallway.



The communal areas and landing are of particular note in this estate; they have been impeccably executed with decorative brick, glass and bespoke Span details that have been lovingly maintained. Each apartment has a private external store, and there are communal drying and bike storage rooms.



Outdoor Space

Parkleys, like many Span schemes, is renowned for its expansive meticulously maintained communal gardens that wrap around the estate. Mature flowering trees give the area a woodland feel while the lawns give all residents access to generous outdoor space. The corner position of this apartment gives the illusion of exclusivity.



The Area

Ham is a picturesque district in south-west London, located between Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames. It unfurls around a large, open common and is renowned for the quality of its period architecture, the most notable example of which is Ham House, described by the National Trust as “the most complete survival of 17th-century fashion and power”.

Ham Common Woods Nature Reserve is a five-minute walk away and runs towards the expanse of Richmond Park beyond. There is a parade of shops in Ham, including a monthly farmers’ market, plus wider shopping and dining opportunities in Richmond and Kingston.



Less than a 20-minute drive (or around a 15-minute cycle) away is Twickenham, which we've written in greater depth in our Journal.



Richmond Station is around a 10-minute drive, or 18-minute bus, away, and has both Overground and Underground (District Line) services, in addition to National Rail services into central London. Kingston Station is an 11-minute bus from the house and runs South Western services into the city.



Council Tax Band: D / Tenure: Share of Freehold / Lease Length: Approx. 956 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £3,000 per annum / Parking: There is unallocated residents parking in the estate