This ancient site was a burial ground in Prehistoric times.  Edward the confessor  of England died here and Edward the Black Prince built a palace here, so this has been a significant historical place.  The Manor is owned by the Prince of Wales.

With the building of Westminster Bridge in 1750/51, Kennington to the south of the Thames started to expand.  By 1857 the expansion of housing had overpopulated the area and there was a serious diphtheria outbreak.  In the 1930's, the Duchy of Cornwall started major redevelopment of the area, improving the quality of housing and planning.