Land on the east side of the road was part of the Dulwich Estate and on the west owned by William Sanders. This view of properties on the Sanders Estate shows nos.8 to 14 Herne Hill, these are situated at its junction with Poplar Walk and date from the early 20th century. They were the second generation of development, built after the leases on the original large properties of a century earlier fell in and, in response to a changing market, were replaced with smaller houses.

The great ridge of Herne Hill and Denmark Hill forms the boundary between the modern borough of Lambeth to the west and Southwark to the east.

The boundary was previously that between Lambeth and Camberwell parishes.

In the late 18th and early 19th century unusually grand houses were built along the roads; wealthy residents were attracted by clean air, fresh water and the relative proximity to London. John Ruskin was the most famous resident.