Ensor Mews is entered through some grand arches from Onslow Gardens. There is a cul-de-sac of similar properties, off the middle of the main section of the mews in the direction of Fulham Road.

It has rather quaint and attractive two storey cottages on the north side. The houses are built in plain-brick to a restrained design. Unlike some other mews, many of the houses still have original stable doors.

In 1852 the Smith's Charity bought the acres which separated the Smith’s Charity’s developed estate in the east from its remaining undeveloped land to the west, called Brompton Heath, which was mainly occupied as market gardens and nurseries. This land had been part of the Harrington-Villars estate. When the estate was divided up in 1850-1, this land was put up for sale. For some reason the Smith's Charity trustees did not obtain it, and it was bought by the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851. But perhaps the Commissioners were playing a canny game because Smith’s Charity owned a strategic piece of land the Commissioners badly needed in order to complete their rectangle of museums between Queen’s Gate, Kensington Road, Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road. The two pieces of land were exchanged and this provided the land for the further expansion of development west. For the full story, read the history of the Harrington-Villars estate

In August 1861 Freake entered into a building agreement with the Smith’s Charity trustee to develop the land in this area. Since he was nearing  completion of the housing in Onslow Square, he was able to move his work force almost immediately into the new area, where he was to build Onslow Gardens as well as houses in Old Brompton Road, and the west side of Cranley Place. Ensor Mews was built between Cranley Gardens and Onslow Gardens.

Mews were built to stable horses and carriages for the richer inhabitants of the main houses, with accommodation for servants above the stables. Ensor Mews, like Onslow Mews, and Cranley Mews, was built to provide stabling and servants accommodation for the grand houses of Onslow and Cranley Gardens.