Playtime Villa

'Playtime Villa' was made by the donor's father in 1908, and modelled on the family's newly built home in Upminster Garden Suburb. In 1906 the builder W P Griggs bought 150 acres from Upminster Hall Estate and created an estate of large houses with red-brick gables, casement windows and little balconies. A newly built double-fronted four- or five-bedroomed detached house similar to this model would have cost £700-£900. This development was one of several garden suburbs constructed at the beginning of the 20th century. They offered housing for all social classes away from the inner city.