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The History of Paddington Station

Post author By robin
Post date May 20, 2025
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Maida Vale’s Mainline Station

The closest London mainline station to Morshead Mansions is Paddington, which serves the western side of the country, all the way down as far as Penzance, in Cornwall. Officially known as ‘London Paddington’, it’s more commonly referred to simply as Paddington and is one of the most iconic and historic railway stations in London. The history of Paddington Station dates all the way back to 1838, and it’s a fascinating one…

The Early Years

Paddington Station was originally built to be the London terminus of the Great Western Railway. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, he was instrumental in the conception of a railway line from London to Bristol and intended it to be the best railway line in the country. The GWR originally planned their line to terminate at Euston, as using part of the existing London to Birmingham railway would have been cost-effective. Brunel, however, rejected this idea, concerned that it might allow Liverpool to compete as a port with Bristol.

Brunel originally planned for Paddington to be a grand building, close to both the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals. Before construction began, however, GWR decided to make substantial cutbacks, due to the soaring costs of building the main line. A temporary station was constructed instead, which opened on the 4th of June 1838 on the west side of Bishop’s Bridge Road.

Paddington Station Gets the Go-Ahead

At that time, the mainline only stretched as far as Maidenhead. By 1850, the line through to Bristol was opened and to cater for the increase in traffic the GWR agreed to a new permanent station to be built between Bishop’s Bridge Road and Praed Street. Brunel was able to oversee this project and the history of Paddington Station was born. Being hugely influenced by the design of the Crystal Palace, Brunel used wrought iron and glass in Paddington’s roof, a feature that can still be seen clearly to this day. At the time, this was the largest train shed roof in the world. The station building on platform 1 had three oriel windows that overlooked the train shed and a royal waiting room for Queen Victoria.

The Infrastructure

Between 1851-1854, the Great Western Hotel was built at the front of the station on Praed Street. Opening on the 9th of June 1854, it had 103 bedrooms and 15 sitting rooms. Each corner featured a tower that had 2 additional floors above the 5 storeys of the main building. When first opened it was run by a consortium of GWR shareholders and staff, in 1896 the GWR took over operations completely.

The GWR began experimenting with electric lighting at Paddington station in 1880. Although the system was initially unreliable, it spurred the GWR on to a more ambitious lighting scheme in 1886, which ultimately showed that electricity was able to compete effectively with traditional gas lighting.

Linking the Underground

Paddington was also the first station in London to be served by the London Underground. In 1863, the Metropolitan Railway opened its line from Paddington to Farringdon Street, using steam locomotives. Later, other lines were added, such as the District Railway in 1868, the Bakerloo Railway in 1913, and the Hammersmith & City Railway in 1926.

The History of Paddington Station’s Expansion

When first built in 1850, the station was so large that it was more than capable of coping with the Great Western Railway’s expansion for the next 50 years. By 1904 though, more space was needed, both for greater passenger numbers and more employees, so further building works took place. Between 1913 and 1916, a 4th roof span was added to increase the number of platforms, which today houses platforms 9-16.

Surviving World Wars

Paddington was fortunate to sustain no damage during World War I, even though it was used for some of the country’s military movement. On Armistice Day in 1922, a memorial to GWR employees who died during the war was unveiled by Viscount Churchill. The bronze memorial, depicting a soldier reading a letter, was sculpted by Charles Sargeant Jagger and still stands on platform 1 to this day.

More expansion to the station took place in the 1930’s, which included the art deco office block on the western side of the station. Between 1933-1935, a new entrance was built on Praed Street. Despite surviving World War 1, the station came under attack several times during World War II. On 17 April 1941, the departure side of the station was hit by a parachute mine and on 22 March 1944, the roof between platforms 6 and 7 was destroyed by two 500-pound bombs.

Passenger traffic greatly increased through Paddington during the war, partly due to evacuation and also because holidaymakers chose to travel west, as large areas of the south and east coasts had been taken over by the military. The history of Paddington station tells us that on the 29th of July 1944, it was closed for three hours because the platforms were saturated with passenger traffic, while on the following August Bank Holiday crowds had to be controlled in ordered queues along Eastbourne Terrace by mounted police.

Modernisation

The last long-distance steam train left Paddington on the 11th of June 1965, signalling the complete switch over to diesel trains. The track layout was reorganised in 1967, abolishing the designated arrival and departure platforms that had been a feature of Paddington since its opening. The station concourse was enlarged in 1970 and the ticket office was rebuilt in the same year. In 1982, a bronze statue of Brunel, sculpted by John Doubleday, was erected on the station concourse.

During the 1990’s the station was extensively refurbished, with the glass in Brunel’s original roof being replaced with polycarbonate glazing panels. This was also around the same time that all trains were electrified. In 2000 a new terminal opened to cater for the Heathrow Express service and 2022 saw the opening of the Elizabeth Line, which runs from the west of London to the east, passing through Paddington station.

Paddington Station Today

According to the 2023–24 Office of Rail & Road Statistics, Paddington is the second busiest station in the UK, after Liverpool Street, with almost 67 million entries and exits annually.

So, the history of Paddington station now spans almost two centuries and it’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t ever travelled through it. Although it lies just 2 stops on the Bakerloo line from Maida Vale, if you’re feeling energetic it’s easily walkable. The walk itself is very picturesque, southwards down to Little Venice, into Paddington Basin and then just a little further along the canal. There’s a new modern side entrance by the canal and it’s a lovely area to sit outside and while away a sunny day…

If you’d like to read more about Paddington Station’s history, just head over to Wikipedia for a more detailed breakdown.

Tags Little Venice, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions, Paddington Basin, Paddington Station

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Garden Birds

As the weather starts to warm up, the wildlife in the Morshead Mansions communal garden becomes a lot more active. It’s a timely reminder of how lucky we are to have such a wealth of resident garden birds. More commonly associated with life in the countryside, London is full of a wide array of diverse bird life, many of which can be found right outside our windows…

Wood Pigeons

Probably one of the most common birds found in London are pigeons, which you will see pretty much everywhere you go. London Pigeons are usually Feral Pigeons, and the Morshead Mansions gardens have their fair share of these. They usually nest in chimneys, guttering or under the iron balconies. The Morshead trees though are also home to the Wood Pigeon, which is actually the most common pigeon in the UK. More likely to be found in the rural areas, it has become more urbanised in the last 30 years and is now a feature of the communal gardens.

Parakeets

Also becoming a more common sight in London are bright green Parakeets. Not native to the UK, just how they came to exist here isn’t exactly known. There are several theories however, one of which is that they originally escaped from Ealing Studios in 1951 while being used for the filming of African Queen. Another is that they escaped from aviaries during the great storm of 1987. Yet another is that a pair of Parakeets escaped from a pet shop in Sunbury on Thames in 1970. However it happened, there’s no doubt that they seem to be here to stay and the last official count in 2012 recorded 32,000 Parakeets in London. They can often be seen, and heard, flying between the trees in the communal gardens.

Jays

Another Morshead resident is the Jay. A colourful member of the Crow family, it is predominantly brown and features brilliant blue patches on its wings. Usually quite a shy bird, it’s most likely to be heard before it is seen, due to its very loud screaming call. They are present all year round but are most likely to be seen more often in the Autumn, when they are out searching for acorns, nuts and fruit, which they tend to store to see them through the winter. Apparently, the acorns that jays collect often get forgotten, growing into oak saplings and eventually trees.

Crows

Including the Jay, there are actually 8 species of Crow in the UK. The most common, and the one most seen in the Morshead gardens, is the Carrion Crow. An intelligent and adaptable bird, it has thrived on the changes that humans have made to the landscape. It will eat pretty much anything, including food scraps, dead animals, fruit, worms, small mammals and other birds. It’s thought that as many as two million live in the UK, although they are usually solitary birds that are wary of any contact. This is another loud bird that is usually heard before it is seen.

Magpies

Also included in the Crow family is the Magpie, and this is one of the garden birds that is being seen more and more in Morshead in recent years. They are widely thought to be intelligent birds and have shown the ability to make tools, imitate human speech, grieve, play games and work in teams. Magpies are easily identified by their black and white plumage, long tail and green/blue/purple wing and tail feathers. They are known to be scavengers, thought to be attracted to bright objects, but can also be predators and pest controllers. Magpies generally mate for life but will occasionally form new partnerships if they lose a mate. Non-breeding birds or those without mates will tend to gather in flocks.

Robins

Often called the UK’s favourite bird is the Robin, easily identified by its red breast. It can be seen all year round and is especially associated with the Christmas season. Males and females look identical, although young Robins don’t have a red breast but one that is spotted and golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round but despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. The Robin is one of the garden birds that is traditionally known as a gardener’s friend, due to its main diet of worms, bugs and insects. In winter it will supplement its diet with berries and seeds.

Blue Tits

Last but not least and a welcome resident of our garden is the Blue Tit. Usually found in woodland, parks and gardens, they tend to nest in holes in trees but are just as happy to use nesting boxes. They are active feeders with a liking of insects and spiders but will happily visit bird tables and bird feeders, being particularly fond of nuts and seeds. It’s worth noting that if you hang feeders on your balcony to attract Blue Tits, it’s probably better to fill them with seeds rather than nuts, as the local squirrel population are also very keen on nuts and will happily scale walls all the way up to the top floor to find them!

So that’s a run-down of some of the garden birds that can be regularly spotted in the Morshead Mansions communal gardens. Keep an eye out this Spring and Summer and see how many you can identify!

To find out more about the Morshead Mansions communal gardens, click here.

Tags Communal Gardens, Garden Birds, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions

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Trellick Tower

A local look at another side of London’s diverse architecture – Trellick Tower

Living in Morshead Mansions we’re surrounded by classic red brick mansion blocks, built at the turn of the last century. Being immersed in this style, it can be easy to forget that London is full of buildings from many different eras, showcasing many different styles of architecture. One extreme and local example of this, Trellick Tower, can be found down past the end of Elgin Avenue, on the other side of the Harrow Road.

If you walk or drive west from Morshead Mansions, it’s hard to miss Trellick Tower as it rises into the skyline above the neighbouring buildings. It’s also visible from the eastern side of Paddington Recreation Ground and many other areas, including the Swiss Cottage interchange. To some people it’s viewed as a bit of a monstrosity, to others it’s a significant part of London’s architectural heritage. Like it or loathe it, being Grade II listed means that it’s here to stay!

The History

Construction of the block began in 1968 and was completed by 1972. Built in the Brutalist style, which was popular at that time, it was designed by Ernő Goldfinger, a Hungarian-born British architect and designer of furniture. Strongly influenced by Le Corbusier and Auguste Perret from his time in Paris, he moved to the United Kingdom in the 1930’s, becoming a key member of the Modernist architectural movement.

Also responsible for Balfron Tower in Poplar, East London, Goldfinger said that the whole object of building high was to free the ground for children and grown-ups to enjoy Mother Earth and not to cover every inch with bricks and mortar. The Original success of Balfron Tower, built 4 years earlier, was a big factor in Trellick Tower’ s creation.

Trellick Tower was commissioned by the Greater London Council, the aim being to modernise social living by using good quality materials and thoughtful layout. It included features such as variations in the arrangements of each apartment, sliding doors, light switches embedded into door surrounds and balconies finished in cedarwood.

Goldfinger learnt much from the Balfron Tower project, where he had moved into one of the apartments once completed in order to experience what life would be like for the tenants. He invited residents to his apartment for regular cocktail parties, to tell him their likes and dislikes. He then incorporated many of the insights into his new build.

The Building

Standing at a height of 322 ft, Trellick Tower has 31 floors in total. The long, thin design was ground-breaking at the time, with a separate lift and service tower accessing the building at every third storey. Flats above and below the corridor levels have internal stairs, while the 23rd and 24th floors are taken up by maisonettes, split over the two floors. There are 217 residences in total. The service tower is higher than the main structure and features a unique projecting plant room at the top, which houses the building’s heating system.

By the time Trellick Tower was completed, the idea of high-rise living was already starting to become unfashionable. Goldfinger had originally intended that potential tenants would be vetted, to foster harmonious communal living. He also planned for proper security and a concierge to be in place. However, due to budget restraints, the council declined to allow these requests. The result was that the building was open access and many rough sleepers and drug users would frequent the corridors. Drying rooms on the ground floor, designed by Goldfinger to stop tenants hanging laundry on the balconies, were vandalised even before the tower block opened.

The early years

By the late ‘70’s, the area was rife with crime, anti-social behaviour and prostitution. Following a series of incidents, including a pensioner falling down the stairs to her death while the lifts were out of order and a woman being raped on the 27^th floor, the tower became known as the ‘Tower of Terror’, with many residents demanding to be re-housed elsewhere.

Originally owned by the GLC and then subsequently by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the apartments were rented out as council flats. In the early ‘80’s, Margaret Thatcher introduced the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme, enabling tenants to buy council properties they were living in. Several Trellick Tower residents did so and in 1984 formed a new resident’s association. As a result of this, security was improved, a concierge was finally hired and experience of living in the building dramatically improved.

Trellick Tower today

These days, many of the apartments have been sold and bought by private buyers, the spectacular views over the London skyline being a big selling point. The surrounding area generally has become more gentrified and residences in Trellick Tower more sought-after, both to buy and to rent. Although the majority of the flats are still classed as social housing, a significant number are now privately owned.

This wonderful image of the view from Trellick Tower is coutesy of David Merrigan on Flickr

Ernő Goldfinger

Trellick Tower was the last major project that Ernő Goldfinger worked on. His reputation suffered as concrete tower blocks became unfashionable and he died in 1987, before it was awarded listed status. Before World War II he built 3 houses, including his own at 1-3 Willow Road, in Hampstead. No 2 Willow Road is now managed by the National Trust and is open to the public. Preserved as it was when he lived there with his wife Ursula, Goldfinger himself designed much of the furniture and the house also contains a significant collection of 20th-century art.

Although still dividing opinion, Trellick Tower is now considered to be a significant part of London’s architectural history. If you’d like find out more about the building and get the chance to see it close up, keep an eye on the Open House Festival, which happens each year in September. Trellick Tower is often included as one of the properties that you can view, so you could explore it in more detail and decide for yourself!

Find out more about the Open House Festival here

Tags Elgin Avenue, Ernő Goldfinger, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions, Trellick Tower

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Maida Vale Pubs

For generations, the local pub has been a British staple and a big part of many people’s social lives. Popping down to the pub of an evening to meet up with friends or enjoying a pub-cooked Sunday roast is something that we’ve taken for granted most of our lives, and this is true of the variety of Maida Vale pubs on our doorstep. However, in recent years the number of pubs in the UK has been steadily declining, with around 400 a year permanently closing their doors, a trend that has been happening consistently over last 15 years or so.

Why is this happening?

There are three main reasons for this. Firstly, the move towards turning commercial property into residential dwellings has seen all kinds of property re-purposed in this way, from offices, old factories, government buildings and shops. Pubs lend themselves particularly well to this trend, with most being situated in the heart of established residential areas as well as often comprising of several floors, including basements, large rooms and high ceilings.

The former Skiddaw and Squirrel on Elgin Avenue is now a chemist

The second reason is the change in people’s social habits, with many preferring to meet up with friends in restaurants, the number of which has multiplied significantly over the last decade, or more active pursuits such as bowling or sports. The range of alcoholic drinks available at supermarkets these days is mind-boggling and a lot cheaper than prices in pubs, so with rising rent and mortgage costs to contend with more people are choosing to socialise at home. There is also a growing trend away from consuming alcohol, with many people focussed more than ever on taking care of their health.

Last but not least is the rise in the costs of running a pub. Most are owned by large breweries and tenanted by the people who run them, with the breweries stipulating which brands of alcohol can be sold and the prices that the tenant landlords must pay for them, as well as the levels of rent required. Add to this the rising costs of business rates, national insurance and minimum wage and many landlords are struggling to break even, with an increasing number taking the decision to close down for good.

The former Windsor Castle on the Harrow Road

In 1980 there were around 69,000 pubs in the UK, by the end of 2024 this number has fallen below 39,000, with an average of 34 closing every month in the last year alone. In comparison to the rest of the country, London lost the most pubs in 2024, with 55 closing their doors permanently. If this trend continues, we may well be looking at the end of an institution that has been at the heart of the fabric of our society for centuries. The moral of this story is ‘use it or lose it forever’. If we don’t support our Maida Vale pubs, they may not be around for much longer.

In Maida Vale and the surrounding area, although some have closed in recent years we’re fortunate to still have a good selection of local pubs to choose from. So where are they and what are they like? Let’s take a look…

The Elgin

Closest to Morshead Mansions is The Elgin, situated on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Lanark Road, just past Maida Vale tube station. Originally known as The Lord Elgin, the name was changed just over 10 years ago when the pub was acquired by Urban Leisure Group, who also own the Alice House brand, among others. Decorated in contemporary style, with exposed brick, wooden floors and a wrought iron staircase, it’s more New York loft than traditional pub, with works by local artists hanging on the walls.

The interior of The Elgin, which is long-standing Maida Vale pub on Elgin Avenue

The Elgin is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, with informal service downstairs and table service dining upstairs. There’s a great selection of local and craft beers on tap, as well as an extensive wine list to sample. Coffee is served all day and with in-house Wifi available it’s a great alternative to the local coffee shops to spend some time catching up on emails. The upstairs area is also available for private hire, for birthday parties, wedding receptions, etc.

The Hero

Dating back to the 19^th century and formerly known as Idlewild, the Truscott Arms, The Hero of Maida and more. Since being taken over in 2024 this pub at 55 Shirland Road has been renamed once more to The Hero. Now owned by the Public House group, The Hero joins The Pelican in Notting Hill and The Bull in Charlbury, Cotswolds, and is very much decorated in the style of the brand, with wooden floors, rustic walls and traditional fittings.

The interior upstairs area of the Hero, a Maida Vale pub on Shirland Avenue

The owners say that they are committed to supporting British produce and this is highlighted in their menus. The pub is spread over several floors, with the bar and casual dining on the ground floor, formal dining on the first, on the second is a cosy spot for classic cocktails with live music from 7pm on Wednesday & Thursday, and vinyl DJs from 9pm every Friday & Saturday, plus a private dining room and an event space in the loft area above.

The Warrington Hotel

Situated opposite the roundabout at the end of Lauderdale Road is The Warrington Hotel, which is a beautiful Grade II listed building built in the mid 19^th century, featuring stained glass windows, mosaic floors and a marble fireplace. Its lavish and opulent interior of outstanding national historic importance has led it to being used as a location for many a TV series or movie and is a prime example of extreme pub design from a bygone era.

The spectacular bar area of The Warrington Hotel, featuring Art Deco fittig and lighting and rich colours. A truly ourstanding Maida Vale pub

This pub features a host of weekly event nights, such as Six Nations Rugby, Quiz Night and Karaoke Nights, and as well as food and drink it also features 5 hotel rooms, individually designed and decorated with the finest products and furnished with hand-picked items ranging from roll top copper baths to king sized 4 posters beds. There is also a separate function room that can cater for up to 200 guests.

The Warrington Hotel pictures are courtesy of Pub Gallery, A Guide to Classic Pubs – https://pubgallery.co.uk/pubs/warrington-hotel-maida-vale /

Prince Alfred

The entrance to The Alfred on Formosa Street, an outstanding Maida Vale pub featuring mosaic glass

Built in 1856, Prince Alfred, at 5a Formosa Street, is another Grade II listed hidden gem, with original etched glass, mosaic tiles and traditional snob screens, all lovingly maintained and cared for within a cosy, welcoming environment. They are committed to providing fresh, seasonal dishes, sourcing British ingredients and showcasing regular rotating specials, plus cask ales, premium wines and range of cocktails.

The refurbished cellars of The Alfred on Formosa Street, an outstanding Maida Vale pub

This beautiful dog friendly pub also has a selection of spaces that can be hired privately, including the cellars, originally used for storing coal, which were restored and opened to visitors in 2000. As well as this there is the Victorian Bar, which can cater for up to 30 people and the Formosa Dining Room, which is the largest of the three spaces on offer and has a grandeur of days gone by.

The Warwick Castle

The Warwick Castle, at 6 Warwick Place, close to Little Venice, first opened in 1867 and has been at the heart of the Maida Vale pub community ever since. Priding themselves on friendliness and warmth, the interior is classic and welcoming, with wooden floors, wood panelling and a beautiful carved wooden bar. In the summer there are outside tables in the quiet mews and in winter a warming log fire inside.

The interior of The Warwick Castle, featuring wooden floors and a beautiful carved wooden bar

They regularly host event nights, including quiz nights, Wine & Dine and Wings Wednesday, with their menus featuring classic British pub fare. Sunday roasts are popular here, with roast lamb and beef, plus vegan wellington with all the trimmings. You’ll also find sticky toffee pudding on the dessert menu along with classic rhubarb and custard!

The Union Tavern

If you feel like a short walk along Elgin Avenue and over the Harrow Road, you’ll find The Union Tavern, nestled alongside the Grand Union Canal. Recently refurbished, they have a brand-new terrace to enjoy a canal-side get together and have made plenty of exciting changes inside as well. They are dog friendly, have free Wifi, a real fire and even mooring spaces to accommodate passing canal boats.

A view of the outside terrace at The Union Tavern at dusk

The menu has an air of ‘trendy’ traditional pub food, with a good vegetarian selection. They run regular pub quizzes and are also available for private bookings in two function areas that can accommodate up to 50 people.

The Carlton Tavern

On the edge of the boundaries of Maida Vale and on the other side of Paddington Recreation Ground on Carlton Vale is The Carlton Tavern, worth a mention for being in the news a lot over recent years. Originally built in 1921 it was illegally demolished in 2015 by developers wanting to build flats in its place. Not having any planning permission, Westminster Council issued an ‘unprecedented’ enforcement notice and ordered the pub to be rebuilt exactly to its former specifications. It reopened in 2021.

An interior view of The Carlton Tavern, featuring pastel clours and wood panelling

The pub is also notable for being the only building on the street to survive the blitz during World War II. In its latest incarnation, the pub features events on most nights, including a comedy night, live music, quiz nights, wing Wednesdays and a steak night. Their menu boasts high welfare meat from Smithfield Market and day boat fish from Hastings and the Dorset coast.

Supporting your Maida Vale pubs

There’s no doubt that we’re blessed with a wealth of fascinating and historical Maida Vale pubs, all within easy walking distance of Morshead Mansions. So if you feel like popping out for a drink or some good food, why not give them a try while we still have them?!

If you’d like to read the post on Maida Vale’s cafés, click here.

Tags Elgin Avenue, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Maida Vale Pubs, Morshead Mansions

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Tree Works

In case you’ve missed them, there are signs up in the street with notifications of parking suspensions for a selection of the bays in Morshead Road on Friday 24th January and Monday 27th January. The reason for the suspensions is tree works, which are planned to take place on both days.

If you own a car and park it in the street, make sure that it’s not left in any of the restricted bays after 8.30am on either day while the tree works are taking place. If it is, you’ll risk having it towed away! If you think your car may have been towed, you can find out more by clicking here.

On a seperate note, if you’re new to the street and would like to find out more about how to apply for a parking permit for your car there is a feature on the ‘news’ section of the Morshead Mansions website that tells you everything you need to know. If you’d like to take a look, just click here.

It’s also handy to know that if you have people visiting you or tradespeople working on your flat, you can find out where pay-to-park spaces are located nearby by accessing the MyRingo app here.

Tags Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions, Parking in Morshead Mansions

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Recycling Your Christmas Trees

Post author By robin
Post date December 17, 2024
No Comments on Recycling Your Christmas Trees

With Christmas once again upon us, most residents will be getting into the Christmas spirit and many may be thinking of decorating their flats with a real Christmas tree. Although these trees add a little something special to the festive season, once it’s over there’s always the question of what to do with your tree when it’s no longer needed? Well, if you’re thinking of recycling you Christmas tree then Westminster Council has the perfect answer…

There will be over 25 recycling sites where you can drop your tree off, the closest to Morshead Mansions being on the corner of Grantully Road and Ashworth Road, just a short walk from the block. Only trees taken to recycling points will be recycled and turned into woodchip and soil improver, so please don’t leave them on the street or anywhere else other than the designated sites.

We wish all Morshead residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and if you have one, we hope you find recycling your Christmas tree a breeze!

Tags Christmas, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions, Recycling

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Maida Vale Cafés

Maida Vale is fortunate to be blessed with a wealth of lovely cafés, where you can relax with a coffee, meet with friends or just take some time for yourself. Below are a small selection that are within walking distance of Morshead Mansions. Most you will probably know but if not, why not give some Maida Vale cafés a try..?

Moored on the canal in Little Venice is the Waterside Café, which opened in 1995. As well as tea and coffee, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Nestled down inside Clifton Nurseries is The Café, a peaceful retreat in a beautiful setting. Part inside a glasshouse and part outdoor terrace, this unique cafe is the perfect place to relax.

Primarily a chocolatier, Formosa Flowers and Chocolaterie is also a lovely place to grab a coffee, situated on the iconic Formosa Street. What could be better than enjoying a cup of coffee or tea while being surrounded by chocolates, pastries, flowers and scented candles?

Perhaps not where you’d expect to find exceptional Peruvian coffee beans but the entrance to Maida Vale Station is home to So Café. The intimate setup has a surprising menu that includes freshly brewed coffee, donuts, French pastries, Italian buns, cappuccinos and mochas.

A little closer to home on the corner of Castellain Road is Petit Café, which has seating inside for colder days and an outside terrace. Open during the day for breakfast, lunch and snacks, as well as good coffee you can find Avacado Eggs, Eggs Benedict and a range of tempting deserts.

Last but not least is Le Cochonnet, a bar and café that feels like it’s been a landmark at the end of Morshead Road forever! Featuring Italian menus and open from noon until late, it specialises in freshly cooked pizzas and is open for coffee all day.

Tags Formosa Street, Little Venice, Maida Vale, Maida Vale Cafes, Morshead Mansions

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The History of Little Venice

Post author By robin
Post date October 18, 2024
1 Comment on The History of Little Venice

A short walk from Morshead Mansions, down past Warwick Avenue tube station and on towards Paddington Basin, is the beautiful and historic area known as Little Venice, where The Regent’s Canal meets The Grand Union Canal and the Paddington Basin tributary. Often described by visitors as one of London’s hidden gems, its history dates back to the early 1800’s.

The area was called London’s Venice for a century before becoming known as Little Venice, the change often attributed to the poet and playwright Robert Browning, who lived nearby in the late 19^th century. Browning spent part of his life in Italy and died in Venice. The small bird island in the middle of the triangle between the canals is named after him.

It was more recently thought that it was actually Lord Byron who is responsible for the name, as stated in 1966 in a letter by Lord Kinross. Byron has been featured on the recently added plaques that can be seen on the walls close to the Waterside Café, a popular floating eatery that’s moored close to the Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge.

The exact boundaries of Little Venice aren’t completely clear, however, it’s generally thought to be roughly bounded by Delamere Terrace, Warwick Crescent, Howley Place and Maida Avenue to the south, Maida Vale (Road) to the east, the Lord Hill Road / Formosa Street Bridge to the west and Sutherland Avenue to the north.

Little Venice is at the southern end of Maida Vale, which takes its name from the Italian town of Maida, in Calabria, where in 1806 the British won a battle over Napoleon. A pub called ‘The Maida’, now no longer in existence, was sited on the Edgeware Road and its sign showed a likeness of General Sir John Stuart, who was made Count of Maida by King Ferdinand IV of Naples after the victory at the same battle. More recently, the pub formerly known as The Truscott Arms was renamed The Hero of Maida.

In 1801 Paddington was just a village on the outskirts of London, but the arrival of the canal saw it become an important waterways hub and as a consequence, the area started to flourish. In 1911, architect John Nash produced a masterplan for the Prince Regent to redevelop a large area of central north London. As a result, the Regent’s Canal was included in the scheme, running for part of its distance along the northern edge of Regent’s Park and into Little Venice.

Following this successful development, many of the other houses and mansions in the surrounding area and further along the canal were built in a similar style. These greatly elevated the status of the whole area and set the tone for Little Venice becoming an ‘expensive’ area to buy property, as it is to this day. The character of this neighbourhood is largely defined by the Regency style, with beautiful white stucco buildings on many of the surrounding streets, including Blomfield Road, Warrington Crescent and Randolph Road.

On the eastern side of Paddington Basin is Rembrandt Gardens, which was originally planted in the 1970’s on the 700th anniversary of the founding of Amsterdam, known as the ‘Venice of the North’. Along the canal, as well as The Waterside Café you can find the Canal Café Theatre, The Puppet Theatre Barge, The Summerhouse Restaurant and Café La Ville, which spans the bridge on the eastern end of the canal. The area also hosts the annual Canalway Cavalcade, which you can read more about here.

Close by, the area is blessed with three Grade II Listed pubs with historic facades and interiors, The Prince Alfred on Formosa Street, The Warwick Castle in Warwick Place and The Warrington, on Warrington Crescent. The Colonnade Hotel, also on Warrington Crescent, dates back to 1863 and was originally a pair of houses. The interior still boasts many original features, including mouldings and a continuous 1^st floor balustrade, and there are blue plaques on the outside in tribute to historical associations with code-breaker Alan Turing and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.

Today, the area around Paddington Basin is a vibrant tourist spot and a lovely place to go for a stroll. Walking further into Paddington Basin provides a complete change from historic to modern, with huge amounts of redevelopment having taken place in recent years. Here too you will find an array of restaurants, bars and cafes and fascinating places to take a break, including Sheldon Square and Merchant Square, which features the Floating Park and the Fan Bridge. From the Basin, you can take boat trips along The Regent’s Canal to London Zoo and Camden Town.

Tags Little Venice, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions, Rembrandt Gardens

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Living in Westminster

Morshead Mansions residents are fortunate to live within the City of Westminster, one of the best maintained and probably the best-known boroughs in London. As well as being blessed with some of the most famous residences and landmarks, it’s also a very green borough, being home to the Royal Parks of Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Kensington Gardens and part of Regent’s Park. There’s lots more to living in Westminster…

Westminster offers a host of resources, including transport, shopping, dining, entertainment, leisure, sport, fitness, culture and history. Most of what people living within the borough might need can be found relatively easily and usually not too far from where they live. So all in all, Westminster, with its abundance of tree lined avenues, conservation areas and amenities, is a pretty nice place to live.

The City of Westminster Website

Something that Morshead Mansions residents may not know is that the City of Westminster website is a very useful place to find even more resources. If you’re living in Westminster and need to organise a parking permit, pay a council tax bill, take part in local consultations or find out about rubbish or recycling collections, it has a wealth of information.

Once on the site, if you navigate to ‘All council services’ you’ll find all kinds of useful links. The first section is all about the council and their policies of operation, including the ‘Residents research panel’, which was set up so that residents could provide feedback on ways to improve services, projects and policies.

If you’re planning on getting married in the borough, everything you’ll need to know is here, from choosing a venue, booking registrars, the different types of ceremonies and what certificates you’ll need. They also have planning guides, sample scripts and feature their ‘Venue of the Month’ to give you some inspiration.

For those in business, there is a section on ‘Business support and guidance’, including information on improvements happening in the borough and growth initiatives, plus resources for grants and sources of funding, You can also sign up for the Westminster Business Newsletter, which will keep you up to date with what’s happening.

If you’re looking to do some filming or hold an event in the borough, you’ll find everything you need to know here too, along with information on business rates, parking, planning, commercial waste services, food safety for businesses, trading standards, business information points, health & safety at work and support schemes for businesses.

For those residents with children, there is The Family Information Hub, information on education, school holiday events, activities and support, plus parenting groups and courses. The City Lions initiative gives children from 13 to 16 interested in the creative industry the chance to boost their CV’s by taking part in talks, workshops and work placements.

Perhaps surprisingly, the site also showcases job vacancies, so if you’re looking for a new job or perhaps considering volunteering for a worthwhile cause, why not take a look! In this day and age, most people find resources they’re looking for online, there are still libraries in Westminster though and as well as vast selections of books they also offer club activities, such as craft sessions, podcasts and music events.

If you’re thinking about becoming a little more active, you’ll find info on leisure centres and cycling, including everything you’ll need to know about cycle hire, cycle parking, what to keep in your toolkit, road safety and cycling events. For those who like to walk, there’s an interactive map which shows suggested routes and where to find Westminster’s history, architecture, culture and green spaces.

If there’s something you need to report, such as illegal waste dumping, noise issues, graffiti or potholes, you’ll find all the resources on the site too. So, if there’s pretty much anything you need to know about living in Westminster, take a look at the City of Westminster website where you’ll likely find the answer!

For more info on the Maida Vale area, take a look at our ‘news‘ page.

Tags Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions

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The History of London’s Mansion Blocks

Post author By robin
Post date August 19, 2024
No Comments on The History of London’s Mansion Blocks

London mansion blocks are a much-loved historic and iconic feature of London’s residential landscape, and Morshead Mansions is no exception. The History of London’s Mansion Blocks is a fascinating subject, with the first mansion block to be built in London thought to be Albert Hall Mansions in Kensington, which was designed by Richard Norman Shaw and constructed in 1876.

Designed in the ‘Queen Anne Revival’ or ‘Kensington Style’, which was based on the English and Dutch architecture of the early 18th Century, it was very well received and following this success, many more London blocks were built between 1880 and 1920, with Morshead Mansions arriving round 1904.

Known for their red brick facades, detailed stone frontage, decorative balconies and well-proportioned interiors, mansion blocks were originally conceived as a way to offer an option for people of wealth, who perhaps were unable to stretch to the cost of purchasing a grand house, to live in some of London’s most sought-after areas, such as Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Kensington, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Hampstead, Chelsea, Battersea, Fulham and Chiswick.

Prior to their arrival, higher net worth individuals tended not to live in ‘flats’, however, some developers saw the potential of building the kind of high-density living that would likely appeal to them. In order to reduce the risk of the idea not working, most blocks were built in stages, with further development once the original flats had been sold.

This was certainly the case in Maida Vale, which was developed by a variety of landowners, all adding more to the history of London’s mansion blocks. First to be built was Blomfield Road, north of the canal, and parts of Edgware Road, later renamed Maida Vale. This was followed by areas including Randolph Avenue and parts of Elgin Avenue.

In 1895, Essendine Road was built by William Henry Pearce, followed by Morshead and Grantully Roads. After the completion of these, Widley and Wymering Roads were built, closely followed by the remainder of Elgin Avenue and Lauderdale and Castellain Roads. Delaware, Ashworth and Biddulph Roads were eventually also developed around 1920.

As mansions blocks were designed to appeal to the luxury market, the style they were generally built in meant that the exteriors were usually quite grand, often with intricate ornate details. The interiors tended to have high ceilings and large windows, with generous hallways and wide staircases in the common areas

Many of these features still remain to this day and help to ensure that mansion block flats are still very desirable and sought-after places to live. Many fine examples can be found in and around the Maida Vale area. Considering the grandeur and general location of mansion blocks, it isn’t surprising that they are popular, especially as the blocks are usually well managed and kept in good repair, further preserving their appeal.

Tags Albert Hall Mansions, Living in Westminster, London Mansion Blocks, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions