An early photograph of the Kennington Turnpike, showing the toll-gate in the centre of the picture with St. Marks church in the background on the left.

This was one of many turnpike roads that sprang up in the area that were improved and then levied charges following the General Turnpike Act of 1773.

The Kennington Turnpike gained importance, lying on the main route for coaches and later omnibuses to and from the south, standing on the junction where the two old Roman roads out of London diverged.

The coach is seen emerging from the road leading to Clapham, which ran south to Chichester.