Below is some genealogy information and websites about the history and social geography of London - Kensington.

North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West, Midlands, London, East Anglia

Description: Located in Greater London, Kensington sits in West London. Traditionally an affluent area, it had good trades with inns and taverns. In 1801, Kensington was connected to the Grand Junction canal and the Kensington canal in 1826. Access to the River Thames increased and in 1816 steamboat services were offered by the Chelsea Steamboat Company. In the 1800s, market gardens and nurseries began to increase, reflecting the rural nature of Kensington. Hay production and dairy farming were also profitable. The Great Exhibition of 1851 and access to the underground network in 1871 changed Kensginton into a busy, thriving housing area. Landowners found more profit in renting land for development than agriculture. Some new industry also began with brick-making and pottery. Originally part of Middlsex as the parish of Kensington, it joined London in 1889. In 1900 it was renamed the Metropolitan Borough of Kensington. Always a Royal Borough (after William III bought a county house there), it merged with Chelsea in 1965 to become the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea when it joined Greater London.

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