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The Fascinating Hidden History of Roupell Street London 

ByJen

If you’re a London history fan like me, you may wonder if there are still any streets to visit today that look the same as in Victorian times.

The answer is: yes! Roupell Street London is the closest you can get to stepping back in time. This area has a long, scandalous, and intriguing history, and it’s just too good not to share.

Here’s the most interesting bits of Roupell Street history: how it came to be, what it was like for early residents, and how this area became a historic conservation site that lives in a time capsule.

Vintage brick facade of a London townhouse in the Roupell Street area of Whittlesey Street, adorned with climbing yellow and purple flowers around a classic blue front door and symmetrical windows, showcasing the quintessential charm of historic London architecture.
Georgian home on Whittlesey Street, within the Roupell Street conservation area.

Before we get started, you can say this street name one of two ways: either “Rue-pell,” to rhyme with “tell”, or “rue-pull”, to rhyme with “scruple.” 

I’ve been told by native Londoners that both are correct and acceptable.

History of Lambeth: How Roupell Street London Came to Be 

Historical engraving of Lambeth Palace from the Thames River, depicting various boats including a state barge in the foreground. The detailed architecture of the Palace and the bustling river activity provide a glimpse into Lambeth's past, relevant to the heritage of the Roupell Street area.
Lambeth Palace, as seen from the Thames.

Today, Roupell Street lies in the borough of Lambeth, and this area has carried this name for centuries. The name “Lambeth” comes from – you guessed it – lambs. 

In Roman times, this area was a wet and grassy marshland, where lambs from neighbouring farms were brought to graze. 

For a time the area was also used for produce, growing food for the surrounding royal palaces. Lambeth Palace was the most notable in the area, which served as the Archbishop of London’s residence since 1200. 

Colorful historical map of 14th-century London, with a focus on the Lambeth Marshlands area. Key landmarks are labeled, including churches and priories, with Roupell Street's location near the River Thames, providing context for its historical significance within London.

For centuries this area was just open land, and since the only bridge connecting the Southbank to the Northbank wasn’t nearby, it remained fairly isolated and undeveloped.

In the later 18th century, as London grew a bit more connected, it was still seen as the “countryside.” It slowly became a pleasurable destination for Londoners, who could visit by boat.

Pleasure gardens (also called “tea gardens”) and sporting grounds began popping up, which were an attraction for inner-city dwellers to get a bit of fresh air and entertainment.

An 18th-century illustration of the Pleasure Gardens in Lambeth, London, vibrant with elegantly dressed people strolling and socializing. The image captures the leisurely ambiance of the period with lush trees, pavilions, and a bandstand reflecting the historical leisure culture related to the Roupell Street area.

Vauxhall Gardens (pictured above), Cuper’s Garden, and Curtis Botanical Garden (now the site of the Old Vic) were destinations for North Londoners to cross the river and enjoy a nice day out.

Another entertainment attraction drew Londoners across the water: the very first circus. Philip Astley began his horse shows in a small arena in the fields where Roupell Street now lies.

But soon the industrial revolution would sweep London, and South and East London would bear the brunt of this new emphasis on manufacturing.  

Factories popped up all over the Southbank, but many Londoners were not to happy about the rapidly developing trade.

The Albion Mills Fire

An 18th-century print depicting the Albion Mills fire in 1791, with St. Paul's Cathedral in the background. The scene shows the mill engulfed in flames, with onlookers and fire fighting efforts in the foreground, illustrating a significant event in Lambeth history. The remains of the factory would be thrown into Lambeth Marsh to help build the area, a significant development in Roupell Street history.
The remains of Albion Mills were thrown into Lambeth Marshes, creating Lambeth as we know it today.

Albion Mills in Southwark (near Blackfriars bridge) opened in 1786, and was a large steam-powered flour mill.

It held a virtual monopoly over London’s flour production, and was a profit-making machine. But many Londoners weren’t happy about this grand new manufacturing scheme.

In 1791, the entire site burned to the ground. This was either arson from a rival miller, burned down by the luddites who opposed large-scale manufacturing, or a simple accident.

Either way, the site was destroyed, and the remains of the factory were thrown into Lambeth Marshes to help provide a stable surface on which to construct more buildings.

This was really the beginning of the development of Lambeth, and in 1817 when Waterloo Bridge was constructed, the area became much more accessible for everyone north of the Thames.

Roupell Street History: In the Beginning

Property was aplenty in Lambeth, and profit-minded Londoners began snapping it up.

The Roupell family was one of these who purchased land in Lambeth, and in the years to come, three generations of Roupells would influence the area.

But the story of the Roupells was not only one of money and power; it was also a story of fraud, secrecy, illegitimate children, and the downfall of an empire.

Here’s how Roupell Street came to be, and how the founding family lost it all. 

John Roupell & The Roupell Family

A family tree graphic illustrating the Roupell family history, with John Roupell labeled as the founder of the Roupell Street area, and Richard Roupell noted for having a secret family and being a fraudster, adding a layer of intrigue to Roupell Street's past.

John Roupell was the son of a landlord and jeweller, and grew up in Holborn and Farringdon. He married a wealthy heiress, Catherine Brand, and they had one son: Richard. 

John was known as a savvy businessman, and in 1792 bought a freehold of seven acres in Lambeth for £8,000. He then moved his family across the river to live where he had invested. 

In 1824, he laid out a new property development on his land, and named the streets after himself and his family: John Street, Catherine Street and Richard Street. 

But as it turns out, there were already some London streets by those names, so today the streets are known as Roupell Street, Theed Street, and Whittlesey Street. 

John was not a nice guy. And the story of his son is a testament to his stern nature.

Richard Palmer Roupell (1782–1856): Hiding a Secret Family 

Richard Palmer Roupell – the only child and heir of John Roupell – went into the family business with his father, but their relationship was fraught.

He feared John, and began sneaking out to spend the night with his (less wealthy & much younger) lover Sarah Crane. 

Sarah gave birth to three children before they married: son William, and two daughters. All this time, their relationship was unknown to family patriarch John Roupell. He didn’t even know he had grandchildren! 

After his father John died in 1835, Sarah and Richard finally got married and had one more child, Richard Jr., who would become the “legitimate” heir to the fortune as he was born in wedlock and not outside of wedlock.

With the dawn of the railway system, Richard Sr. was able to sell plots he inherited in Lambeth for a fortune, amassing considerable wealth. 

All that wealth would serve as the catalyst for the next generation in the Roupell family, the most scandalous of them all.

William Roupell: Scoundrel and Scandal 

Illustration of William Roupell, a 19th-century member of the Roupell family associated with Roupell Street, London, alongside a quote from his life and confession revealing his fraudulent ways and the resulting lavish lifestyle. This reflects the intriguing and complex history of the individuals connected to the historic Whittlesey Street, Roupell Street, and Theed Street in south London.

William – the eldest son, born outside of wedlock, suspected he was a “bastard.”  It seems he held it against his father, and began embezzling and defrauding his way through his father’s businesses. 

In 1853, he forged a land deed and fraudulently sold it, and in the next few years amassed ill-gotten gains in the sum of over £100,000. 

After Richard Sr.’s death in 1856, he tore up his father’s will (which named the legitimate child, Richard Jr., as heir).

He forged a new one, naming his mother the heir to the family fortune. He could then access the funds directly from his mother, and continued amassing a fortune for himself. 

He then turned his eyes toward politics. He bribed votes all the way to the House of Commons, and after his election, didn’t do much but work on his own properties. 

By 1862, his money ran out, he stopped paying his mortgages, and fled to Spain. His younger brother, Richard Jr, took the evidence to the courts, and fought to restore his family fortune. 

William was arrested when he returned to England and was sentenced to penal servitude for life. 

But he wasn’t done. He escaped from transport to Gibraltar, but was recaptured and served hard labour in various prisons until 1876. 

In his later years he turned penitent, and wrote a detailed confession of his antics. He died in 1883. 

With William died the family fortune, and the saga of the Roupell family was over. But their name lives on in this historic area south of the Thames. 

William Roupell is buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

The Historic Houses of Roupell Street, Theed Street & Whittlesey Street

A vibrant row of Georgian terraced houses on Roupell Street, each with a unique colored door ranging from sage green to vivid red and blue, accented by classic white-trimmed windows and ornate flower boxes, embodying the distinctive architectural heritage of the street.

At the time of Roupell Street development in 1824, industry was beginning to boom in Lambeth. With industry came workers, and they needed affordable places to live. 

This particular plot of land had previously been open fields, with a cut through called “Halfpenny Hatch” charging a halfpenny for its use. 

On this land is where Philip Astley – founder of the circus – began his performances, which became wildly popular. It became so popular that they moved to a purpose-built performance venue (now the site of St Thomas’s Hospital). 

The land was now vacant, and Halfpenny Hatch and the surrounding fields were prime development territory.

This is where John Roupell chose to build his homes as the demand rose with the Industrial Revolution booming through London. 

Roupell Street is Built 

A detailed 1878 historical map excerpt highlighting Roupell Street, Richard Street, and Catherine Street in London, taken from the Lambeth Council Roupell Street Statement 2007. The intricate lines and labels present a clear layout of the streets, providing a window into the urban development during that period. Richard Street would become Whittlesey Street, and Catherine Street would become Theed Street, with only the Roupell Street name remaining the same from its historic foundings.
1878 map showing the original street names of the Roupell Street development.

When the area was built in 1824, John Roupell named the streets of his development after himself and his family. They have since been renamed due to duplicate street names: Richard Street would become Whittlesey Street, and Catherine Street would become Theed Street.

By 1829, around thirty houses were completed. But during the rush to completion, a fire nearly ended the area before it even began. 

“On Saturday evening a fire broke out in Roupell-street, Cornwall-road, in one of the new houses belonging to Mr. Roupell.

The fire originated under these circumstances:- Mr. Roupell had bound himself by contract to have both houses finished by a given time, and the period fast approaching, men were employed to work beyond the usual hours.

Some of them were in the act of pitching some gutters, when the pot boiled over and set fire to the shadings and wood with such rapidity that it was with some difficulty all the workmen succeeded in effecting their escape.”

–Evening Standard, Monday 1st June 1829

It seems the fire didn’t cause too much damage, and the development continued. But because of that fire, today you’ll see fire insurance markers still affixed to some homes.

These marked which homes were covered by which fire company – essentially private fire departments for hire you could pay to extinguish your property should the worst happen.

Architecture of Roupell Street, Theed Street & Whittlesey Street  

Architectural drawings comparing the Roupell Street style with Theed Street and Whittlesey Street styles, characterized by their yellow London brickwork and sash windows, highlighted by Ian Nairn for their architectural purity and unselfconscious self-respect as noted in the Lambeth Council Roupell Street Statement 2007.

The charming architecture of Roupell Street and the surrounding areas is “tight, early 19th Century urban grain.”

These homes were built for working class people, and the simple design reflects this. The area was known as the “Lambeth Estate,” though it was not the social housing that we know today.

Roupell Street (formerly John Street) is a row of single-bay terraced homes.

Whittlesey Street  (formerly Richard Street) and Theed Street (formerly Catherine Street) are larger, with double-fronted terraced homes. 

Because they were built for working class people, and because John Roupell wanted the most homes for his money, the homes make the most of their small footprint. 

Section of Charles Booth's poverty map from 1886-1903, color-coded to represent the socio-economic status of residents in the St. Andrew's Street area near Roupell Street, London, with legends from darkest for the 'lowest class' to red for 'middle class' and light blue for 'wealthy.'
A later map from 1880’s, showing the “mixed” financial status of the Roupell Street area.

In fact, many of the buildings face right onto the streets with no communal areas out front. This reflects “the relatively low social status of the development when it was laid out.” 

But Roupell didn’t cheap out on building materials: the homes were constructed with real London brick, sturdy timber frame windows, efficient stoves and chimneys, and well-designed butterfly roofs that give the row of houses its distinctive look.

Some contain back gardens, and before indoor plumbing, this is where the toilets would have been in outhouses. 

Photo of Roupell Street showcasing its historical architectural features, with annotations pointing out the iconic London brickwork, historic timber windows, and distinctive chimneys and butterfly roofs. The photo encapsulates the preserved architectural essence that contributes to the historical narrative of Roupell Street

The home’s first occupants were working class: milliners, hatters, cloakmakers, and other tradespeople. They lived here with their children and family members, and made the most of every square inch of their properties. 

It was not uncommon for 3 or 4 families to share one of these small homes, with as many as 20 per house. And though they weren’t as poor as those in the notorious Victorian slums, the area was still very densely populated and looked down upon by North and West Londoners. 

It’s amazing to think of all the families who lived and died here, many of whom lived and worked in the area for generations. This is a true community, and that spirit would continue well into the 21st century. 

Roupell Street Conservation Area 

A detailed map highlighting the Roupell Street Conservation Area in London from 1976, with prominent red labels over a green overlay marking Roupell, Whittlesey, and Theed Streets, as part of the Lambeth Council Roupell Street Statement 2007, illustrating the area's protected status for historical preservation.

The most interesting aspect of the Roupell Street area is that it remains intact. It’s like stepping back in time, and many London history tours show off this area as part of their route. 

But this preservation isn’t by accident. The “Lambeth Estate” was purposefully saved by a group of passionate community members. 

Up until the 1970s, the homes were managed by a single landlord, just as they had been when John Roupell first established them. Though ownership changed over the years, one person owned and let the homes to renters. 

But in 1970, the homes were sold off individually to private owners, and began to be refurbished and changed. As Londoners added additions, modernised the interiors and exteriors, the streets didn’t look the same anymore. 

The Vauxhall Society, not wanting this historic area to lose its original charm and features, worked to have it established as an historic conservation area. 

Their hard work paid off, and most of the buildings were given listed status that same year, forever protecting this area. 

The Kings Arms Roupell Street 

Pub called The King's Arms Roupell Street, London, presented in two images showing its inviting exterior with greenery adorned windows and a traditional pub sign, capturing the authentic charm of this local watering hole, affectionately known as 'Bonsie's' to the residents.

Not only were homes saved as listed buildings, but many businesses were, too. The most notable of these is The Kings Arms Roupell Street, which sits at number 25. 

This pub is known to locals as “Bonsie’s,” after the family of landlords who ran it for years. Locals to the area have never called it “The King’s Arms,” which is a lovely insight into how tight this community is. 

The front of the pub is still split into public and saloon bars, which would have been common during its founding years (but not so much today).

The public bar would have been more plain – just a spot to stop and have a pint. 

The saloon bar was grander, with nice furnishings and live music, and a more exuberant atmosphere.

It’s nice to see that this pub feature lives on at places like The Kings Arms Roupell Street, one of the few businesses in Lambeth that has survived so much of London’s development. 

Roupell Street Films: On the Big Screen  

Screenshot of a twitter post of Roupell Street films made on site. Behind-the-scenes snapshot of a James Bond film shoot on Roupell Street, London, with crew and actors on set. In the foreground, a classic Aston Martin with the license plate B549 WUU hints at an action-packed scene, as mentioned in Phil Amesbury's tweet celebrating the iconic 007's choice of car.
Tweet from @Philstow500 on Twitter showing Daniel Craig filming James Bond in the Roupell Street area.

Because this area is so close to how it looked when it was first built, it’s a location of choice for many big screen directors making period films and television shows.

Roupell Street films and television shows include: 

  • James Bond: No Time to Die 
  • Legend: The Tom Hardy film about the Kray Twins
  • EastEnders
  • Call the Midwife 
  • Dr Who
  • Pennyworth 
  • The Aeronauts 
  • Steve McQueen’s Blitz
  • Better Things
  • Slow Horses 
  • Mr Selfridge
  • Silent Witness, 
  • War of the Worlds, 
  • Suffragette
  • Prime Suspect 1973
  • Whitechapel
  • And many more! 

If you want to see what’s been filmed on Roupell Street recently, Twitter is a great place to find out the latest projects.

Roupell Street Today

Current map of the Roupell Street Conservation Area in London, with a red oval highlighting Theed Street and Whittlesey Street. Nearby landmarks like King's College London, the BFI IMAX, and Waterloo Station are marked, indicating the historical area's integration into modern city life.

Today, the Roupell Street conservation area is still intact and preserving the listed buildings within it. It’s a remarkable feat, especially in an area that has seen such drastic development.

To visit Roupell Street, the closest stations are Waterloo and Southwark. Make it a day out, and see The Old Operating Theatre, the Clink Prison Museum, the remains of Winchester Palace, and cap it off with a pint at “Bonsie’s”.

This is a lovely and historic area to explore!

Sources:

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