Tag: Elgin Avenue

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Maida Vale Dental Practices

Post author By robin
Post date November 20, 2025

Are you looking for a new dentist that’s close to Morshead Mansions?

With London being so transient and people often moving from one area to another, finding a local and reliable dentist can sometimes be quite challenging. Fortunately, Morshead Mansions residents are lucky to be surrounded by quite a few Maida Vale Dental Practices, a selection of which are highlighted below.

These are listed for informational purposes only, as we’re not specifically recommending any of the practices highlighted. We’d always advise that you do your own thorough research and check their reviews before trying any of them!

The Maida Vale Dental Practice

Situated at the western end of Elgin Avenue, Maida Vale Dental Practice can be found at 2 Walterton Road, W9 3PN. This practice has been in existence for over 40 years and offers dentistry for all age groups, including children. Their website states ‘The calming atmosphere of our practice combined with our friendly and welcoming staff means that nervous or anxious patients are put at ease from the minute they walk through the door.’

This practice covers the full range of dental needs, including Invisalign Orthodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Boutique Whitening, Dental Hygiene and everything else you’d expect to find. The practice accepts both NHS and private patients and is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centred care in a warm and friendly setting.

Elgin Dental Care

Located at 284 Elgin Avenue, just opposite Maida Vale Station, is Elgin Dental Care. Founded in 1939, their website states ‘New patients are welcome and are offered a thorough check up, so our team get to know your needs. Our practice treats visitors to the UK, others who are working, or staying here for a few years, or residents seeking long term care for their families.’

They also say ‘Good dental skills and confidence in delivering them matter and we work effectively in the atmosphere we create. A welcoming, clean environment is part of this and more importantly, good communication. An ability to listen is key to effective treatment, as is sharing information, from explaining complexity, to suggesting useful home care routines.’

Elgin Dental Care caters for private patients only.

Located at 284 Elgin Avenue, just opposite Maida Vale Station, is Elgin Dental Care

Maida Smiles

Probably the most modern-looking of the local Maida Vale Dental Practices is Maida Smiles. Located at 207-209 Sutherland Avenue, just opposite the Esso petrol station, the clinic was founded and set up in 2019 by Dr Pedro Gutierres, reportedly in response to ‘London’s growing need for minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry’.

Their website says ‘It’s our goal to become one of the best cosmetic dental clinics, helping and enabling patients from all walks of life to make positive, life-changing decisions about the future of their smile. With an emphasis on cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry, our highly experienced staff are equipped to take care of any smile problem you might have.’

W9 Dental Health

Located at 176 Shirland Road, this practice has been operating since 2003. As well as general dentistry hygienist services, they offer advanced treatments including invisible braces, dental implants, teeth whitening, as well as wrinkle reducing injections and facial rejuvenation treatments.

W9 Dental Health welcome NHS patients, providing essential oral healthcare subsidised by the UK Government. They also provide private treatment for the services the NHS doesn’t cover and can even provide interest-free payment plans with monthly payments for treatments over £1000.

Shirland Dental Practice

Also on Shirland Road, at 142, is the Shirland Dental Practice. This practice is led by Dr Hamssa Mansour, who believes that visiting the dentist should be an enjoyable experience, free of fear or anxiety. She believes in giving back to the local community and actively supports local charities, in particular the Down’s Syndrome Association which is a charity close to her heart.

Their website states ‘It’s a small team at Shirland Dental Practice, so each time you will be greeted by a familiar, friendly face. Our dental nurses are fully qualified and highly experienced. All the team at Shirland Dental Practice genuinely care about the health and well-being of our patients and are happy to answer any questions or queries that you may have.’

This practice is led by Dr Hamssa Mansour, who believes that visiting the dentist should be an enjoyable experience, free of fear or anxiety

Abi Dental

This clinic can be found at 7 Clarendon Terrace, W9 1BZ, just around the corner from Clifton Parade. Their website states that they use the latest in technology, including materials, techniques, digital x-rays and computer aided intra-oral cameras to provide the highest level of clinical care, as with many other Maida Vale Dental Practices.

They provide Cosmetic Dentistry, Root Canal Therapy, CBCT, OPG, Veneer, minimally invasive dentistry, white fillings, surgery, socket preservation, pain free dentistry, nervous patient management and more, and say that their biggest skill is listening to all patients needs and wants, enabling them to welcome nervous patients, and discuss all possible treatment options – often available with 0% finance.

Needless to say, if you venture a little further afield you’ll find a lot more practices offering similar services, the selection we’ve highlighted though are probably the most convenient to get to from Morshead Mansions.

If you’d like to find out more about Maida Vale in general, just head over to our page titled ‘The Area’.

Tags Elgin Avenue, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Maida Vale Dental Practices, Morshead Mansions

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Maida Vale Restaurants

Post author By robin
Post date August 21, 2025

Interesting places to eat out close to Morshead Mansions

As well as a multitude of cafés and pubs, Morshead Mansions residents are fortunate to be surrounded by many local Maida Vale restaurants. They feature a variety of different types of food offerings as well as some very eclectic interior design. Below is a small selection of what’s on offer, all within easy walking distance of the street.

The Summerhouse

If you head down towards Little Venice and walk alongside the canal next to Blomfield Road, you’ll come across The Summerhouse. This is a lovely Hampton’s inspired restaurant overlooking the Grand Union Canal, serving seasonal dishes.

The Summerhouse claims that more than just a restaurant, it’s one of London’s most unique waterside dining destinations. With nautical-inspired interiors, al fresco seating and a relaxed coastal vibe, this canal-side restaurant invites you to unwind and enjoy the season.

A view ofThe Summerhouse restaurant from the Grand Union Canal

As well as lunch, dinner and Sunday roasts, the Summerhouse is also open from 9am-12pm on Saturdays and Sundays, serving weekend brunch. On sunny weekend mornings, it’s the perfect place to while away an hour or two, overlooking the canal and watching the boats go by.

The Waterway

A stone’s throw away from our first restaurant, and also nestled by the side of the canal, is The Waterway. Opened in 2002, this eatery says that it has established itself as one of Maida Vale’s best restaurants with one of London’s greatest outdoor terraces. This makes it a great place to dine outside during the warmer months and lighter evenings.

This restaurant has all seasons covered though, with the interior being styled in a cosy ski chalet vibe. This makes it a perfect setting during winter, featuring a fireplace, natural colour tones, live music and an extensive menu.

The interior style of The Waterway Restaurant

The Waterway is also available to hire for events and can be split into smaller areas to cater for all party sizes.

Kateh

Not far from here is another of our featured Maida Vale restaurants, Kateh. This hidden gem serves the latest in popular Persian cuisine. It can be found in Warwick Place, next door to the Warwick Castle pub.

Kateh features both an authentic and modern take on Persian cuisine in an elegant yet relaxed and intimate setting, seating just 75 diners. The daily menu is made up of 33 dishes, each inspired by the best of the day’s market produce.

A sample of the authentic Persian Cuisine on offer at Kateh restaurant

This restaurant also has a superb private dining room on the lower floor for up to 12 people. It also has a gorgeous garden terrace which can hold up to 25 people and a late license. This makes it an enticing dining destination for romantic couples, families and private celebrations.

Chakra

Formosa Street is not only one of London’s most unique shopping streets but is also the home of Chakra, a beautiful Indian restaurant. It describes itself as ‘a truly uplifting experience where exciting Indian cuisine, stunning interiors and unsurpassed service intertwine to create a sense of abundance, wellbeing and pleasure.’

It goes on to say ‘Our chefs have adapted timeless Indian recipes, using ingredients that positively impact your sense of wellbeing, without compromising on flavour. All our restaurants are a sanctuary for you to escape to. Teal colour palettes, harmonious accent colours and an abundance of vegetation come together to create an oasis of calm.’

A sample of the vibrant interiors at Chakra

Like many Maida Vale restaurants, Chakra also offers a delivery service. So, if you’d like to sample their food from the comfort of your home, just visit their website to make an order.

Banana Tree

Located right next door to Maida Vale Station is Banana Tree. The opening page of their website states ‘If you’re the type of person that dreams of venturing into the jungles of Borneo or exploring the bustling markets of Malaysia, you’re in the right place. Nothing says adventure like a Laksa lunch, a weekend Katsu or a dash of Vietnamese fish sauce in your dinner. At Banana Tree, our food takes you places.’

As well as a range of choices for meat and fish lovers, 40% of their menu caters to the vegan market. They go on to say ‘whether you’re fully vegan, a flexitarian, or just giving it a go, we know that variety and choice is important. We never compromise on flavour, and our in-house chefs are constantly working on fresh and innovative vegan options.’

A sampla of the kind of dishes on offer at Banana Tree

Banana Tree is also focused on animal preservation and donate 25p from every Blackened Monks Noodles sold to Orangutan Appeal UK, to help rehabilitate orphan orangutans. So far, with customers help, they have raised over £70,000 for the cause.

Thai Rice

Opposite the station is Thai Rice, which was founded in 2002 on Portobello Road. Using traditional family recipes and fresh ingredients to produce authentic Thai cuisine, the restaurant has enjoyed a great deal of success, enabling the owners to open more restaurants. This one on Elgin Avenue features a quirky interior, styled with an array of auto memorabilia.

Their website says ’ With the combination of excellent food, a welcoming ambience, contemporary décor and fast, friendly service, Thai Rice offers the perfect dining experience. We take great pride in the cooking and presentation of our food. Our aim is to deliver excellent cuisine at a reasonable price. The menu includes some delicious vegetarian options and is complemented by a high-quality wine list.’

More of the unique Thai Rice restaurant interior

Thia Rice also offers a home delivery service, booked through Uber Eats.

Dhaba@49

A short walk west along Elgin Avenue is Dhaba@49, offering exceptional North Indian cuisine mixed with a twist of Britain. With its unique interior and colourful Indian dishes, Dhaba@49 is well worth a visit.

Set up on the site of what was for many years a more traditional style India restaurant, Dhaba@49 takes the experience of Indian dining in a whole new direction. With rich aromatic flavours, their dishes are inspired by the roadside cafes of North India. These have been redefined and adapted to more suit local tastes.

Showcasing some of the colourful dishes on offer at Dhaba@49

As with most restaurants these days, they also offer a takeaway and delivery service for customer convenience.

Sushi Murasaki

The closest of our featured Maida Vale restaurants to Morshead Mansions is Sushi Murasaki, at the end of Lauderdale Parade. Opened in 2017, they offer an eccentric live sushi counter. So you can witness the fascinating art of sushi-making while enjoying the serene local setting.

Their website says ‘At Sushi Murasaki, our talented chefs meticulously create an experience for our guests. We do this by blending local produce with our Japanese cooking techniques. Our selection of high-quality fresh sushi and sashimi, along with perfectly paired sake and wine, is a perfect symphony in the mouth. Our lip-smacking hot food and highly recommended Japanese tea are refreshing and suitable for all London weathers.’

Some of the enticing dishes on offer at Sushi Murasaki

Sushi Murasaki also has an outside terrace which is perfect for relaxed summer evenings.

So, within the local Morshead Mansions area, there’s hopefully something to suit most culinary tastes. If you’d like to see more local eateries, why not take a look at our recent post on Maida Vale Pubs.

Tags Elgin Avenue, Little Venice, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Maida Vale restaurants, Morshead Mansions

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Medical Centres in Maida Vale

Post author By robin
Post date July 21, 2025

Medical Centres in Maida Vale that are close to Morshead Mansions

Morshead Mansions residents are fortunate to be surrounded by several NHS Maida Vale medical centres, all providing general patient and prescription services. Below is a small selection of the closest surgeries, all within easy walking distance of the street.

Please note that we make no particular recommendations and would always urge residents to do their own research before registering, however, there are some useful suggestions below. Whatever you are particularly looking for to manage your general health requirements, we hope you’ll find something helpful that’s close to home.

The Maida Vale Medical Centre

Probably the closest surgery to Morshead Mansions is the The Maida Vale Medical Centre. Situated at 40 Biddulph Mansions, Elgin Avenue, W9 1HT, it’s on the corner of Elgin Avenue & Biddulph Road.

Their website states ‘We are using an online service called ‘Register with a GP surgery’ that makes it easy to register with us. The service is run by the NHS, so your personal information is safe. It cuts our administrative workload and makes it easier for you to register.’

The Maida Vale Medical Centre is conveniently located on Elgin Avenue

The Randolph Surgery

One of the oldest Maida Vale medical centres, The Randolph Surgery, is at 235a Elgin Avenue, W9 1NH. It’s on the corner of Elgin Avenue & Randolph Avenue, opposite Starbucks and Maida Vale Station.

They are open from 8 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday and you can register in person or online.

The Randolph Surgery is a convenient Maida Vale Medical Centre close to the station

The Lanark Medical Centre

Easy to miss, The Lanark Medical Centre is just around the corner from the Elgin pub. It can be found at the 3rd Floor Medical Centre, 165 Lanark Road, W9 1NZ. Their website has an online registration form if you’d like to sign up.

The Grand Union Health Centre

A little further away but still in the Morshead Mansions catchment area, The Lanark Medical Centre is close to Little Venice, at 209 Harrow Road, W2 5EH.

Their website states ‘We welcome new patients who live across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Brent, Central and Greater London. Registering is quick and easy and normally takes around 2 minutes. Whether you are a resident, student or professional working in the city, registering with us ensures quick access to health care when you need it most.’

The Grand Union Health Centre is another Maida Vale Medical Centre situated near Little Venice

We hope that you’ll find this post useful. If you’d like to find out more about services and resources available to Westminster residents, just click here – Living in Westminster

Tags Elgin Avenue, Little Venice, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Maida Vale Medical Centres, Morshead Mansions

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Trellick Tower

Post author By robin
Post date March 19, 2025

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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Maida Vale in Bloom

Post author By robin
Post date June 24, 2024

Now that Summer’s officially with us, we’re starting to see beautiful colours popping up all around Maida Vale, both in Morshead Road and the surrounding area. Each year, the window boxes that adorn the front of Morshead Mansions start to flower and they’re beginning to look particularly lovely as the weather heats up and we begin to see Maida Vale in bloom.

The communal gardens at the rear of Morshead Mansions is a relaxing space for residents to enjoy all year round. With the arrival of Summer, a variety of colours start to appear, making the space even more enjoyable to spend time in.

As always, we’d ask anyone using the communal garden with their children to take care not to damage the planted areas. The garden is for everyone to socialise or relax in, if using barbeques please be considerate and clear up after use.

Fortunately for Morshead residents, Paddington Recreation Ground is just opposite and is a wonderful resource. At this time of year colour starts to sprout up here too. The park has recently been undergoing improvements to the pathways and amenities and the secluded gardens are beginning to fill with a variety of colours.

On the other side of Elgin Avenue from Morshead Road is Le Cochonnet, a long-established bar and reataurant and a handy place to spend some time with friends. The beautiful hanging baskets on the outside are looking quite splendid and add to the collage of Maida Vale in bloom! We’re also fortunate in our surrounding area that Westminster Council take the time and effort to add and maintain an abundance of hanging baskets attached to the street lights. This certainly adds to the appeal of our neighbourhood.

If you’re thinking of adding some floral colour to your flat, why not take a short walk or drive down to Little Venice and visit Clifton Nurseries? This beautiful garden centre is awash with colour at the moment, with all types and varieties of flowers. They also have a lovely cafe to while away some time.

We hope that enjoyed some images of Maida Vale in bloom and that you’re able to get out into the local area to explore what’s on offer soon. In the meantime, we wish everyone a long and enjoyable summer!

Tags Clifton Nurseries, Elgin Avenue, Lauderdale Parade, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions

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Morshead Mansions 2023 AGM

Post author By robin
Post date December 19, 2023

The Morshead Mansions 2023 AGM will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 28th December. The meeting will be held in Selbourne House, Ground Floor, 36A Elgin Avenue, W9 3AZ, which is on the other side of Elgin Avenue from St Peter’s Church and is 100 metres or so past the junction of Elgin Avenue and Chippenham Road.

Unfortunately, St Peter’s Church, which has accommodated us for the past several years, is undergoing refurbishment so is not presently available. Minutes of the meeting will be available on the Key Documents page of the website in the New Year.

We look forward to seeing you at the The Morshead Mansions 2023 AGM, if you have any questions, please get in touch. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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

Blog

The History of Maida Vale Station

Post author By robin
Post date September 11, 2023

The closest tube station to Morshead Mansions, Maida Vale, is just a few minutes’ walk East along Elgin Avenue. Originally planned to be located on nearby Abercorn Place, this was ultimately rejected in favour of the junction of Elgin Avenue and Randolph Avenue. This iconic structure has been a landmark of the local area for over 100 years and is a Grade II listed building. Read on to discover more about the history of Maida Vale Station.

Using the familiar early Leslie Green template of many other stations on the tube network, such as Camden Town, Chalk Farm, Belsize Park and Hampstead, Maida Vale was actually designed by The Underground Electric Railways Company of London’s architect, Stanley Heaps.

The main difference between Stanley Heaps and Leslie Green’s design was that it was a single-storey building, as upper storeys were no longer required to house lift gear. Maida Vale was actually one of the first London Underground stations to be built with escalators instead of lifts. As was the norm at the time, the escalators were originally constructed of wood. Built as part of the Bakerloo Line extension from Paddington to Queens Park, Maida Vale opened on 6^th June 1915 and was one of the few station buildings above ground on this section of the line.

It was also the first station on the entire London network to be staffed solely by women, which was due to England by then being almost a year into World War 1, with many of the men away fighting at the time. The women continued to work at the station until 1919, when servicemen returning from the war ultimately took over their jobs.

Women did every job at the station, except driving the trains, which remained exclusively a job for men until 1978, when Hannah Dadds became the first female tube driver. In 1975 the Sex Discrimination Act was passed by the UK Government and as a result of the legislation, women could then apply to be train drivers. Several women did and Hannah was the first to qualify.

Over the years, Maida Vale station has appeared many times on screen. In 1927 it featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Downhill’, also the 1983 Stephen Poliakoff film ‘Runners’, both featuring shots down the escalators. In 1974, the exterior was used for a scene in the film adaptation of the popular TV sitcom ‘Man About The House’.

In 1998, both the interior and exterior appear several times in the film ‘If Only’…, with scenes on the striking staircases and outside, by a mocked-up flower stall. It was shot around Maida Vale, Notting Hill and Camden and starred Lena Headey, Douglas Henshall and Penelope Cruz in the leading roles.

In 2005, the platform was used for a scene in The Chemical Brothers video of ‘Believe’ and in 2013 many areas were used in Richard Curtis’ film ‘About Time’. In 2014, the exterior was used to depict the fictional ‘Westbourne Oak Station’ in the film ‘Paddington’.

In 2009, Maida Vale won a National Railway Heritage Award for the successful modernisation of an historic station, managing to keep most of its original features and leaving the station looking much as it did in 1915. So the history of Maida Vale Station is a rich one and it continues to display this history both inside and out. Hopefully it will go on to exist in its current splendour for another 100 years!

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

Blog

Car Crime in the Maida Vale Area

Post author By robin
Post date May 8, 2023

We’ve recently become aware that unfortunately there seems to be a growing number of instances of car crime in the Maida Vale area. This can take several forms –

Car break-ins – It goes without saying but it’s important to always ensure that you lock your car when parked. Also, it’s good practice to ensure that you don’t leave any valuables on show. As a rule of thumb, it’s best not to leave any personal items visible in your car when unattended. Although there may be things that you wouldn’t consider to be of much value, anything on show can be tempting for an opportunist thief and encourage them to break in to investigate further. Also, if you have a screen-mounted navigation device or a dash cam that can be removed it’s a good idea to lock these away when parked if it’s possible to do so.

Catalytic converter thefts – There has been a spate of catalytic converter thefts on the local area recently. It seems that thieves are becoming more and more brazen and there have even been instances of thefts in broad daylight. Usually operating in groups, they will jack up a car and cut out the converters from the exhaust system using hand-held electric saws. These thieves are usually armed in some way, so if you witness a theft happening it would be best not to approach them and instead contact the Police.

If you are unlucky enough to be a victim of this type of crime, usually your insurance company will cover the cost of replacement although it may have an adverse effect on your insurance premiums in the future. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to protect your vehicle from this type of theft, currently the only possible solution is to fit a cage over your catalytic converter, which will usually deter the thieves, this in itself though is also quite an expensive option.

Lately, the types of vehicles that seem to be most sought after are hybrids, such as Toyota Prius or C-HR, and up-market vehicles such as Mercedes or BMW, which tend to have more expensive parts and so more precious metal content inside the converters. Please be assured though that although on the up, this type of crime is still relatively rare in our area.

Car theft – Again this is still quite rare in our area, however, there have been several cases recently of car theft. The most common local areas where car theft has been reported are Maida Hill, Hamilton Terrace, Lauderdale Road and Elgin Avenue and the most commonly targeted vehicles tend to be Range Rovers.

There are several things that you can do to make your vehicle less attractive to thieves. The first and simplest thing is to fit a steering lock, such as Stop Lock Pro, when your vehicle is parked. This creates an extra ‘barrier’ to the thief and can be very effective in deterring them. These cost around £50 and are widely available online.

The next simplest thing to do is to store your car keys somewhere safe when you’re at home. These days, car keys often omit a continuous signal and thieves are known to use signal scanners to pick up the key’s code so that they can clone a new key and use it to access your vehicle. There are several products on the market, such as ‘faraday cages’ and ‘metal wallets’ that will prevent your key’s signal from being able to be intercepted and cloned. These are relatively inexpensive and widely available online.

Further to this, you could fit an immobiliser, which would cost in the region of £300-£400, depending on the brand and cost of fitting. An immobiliser will prevent your vehicle from being started and driven away, even if the thief is able to clone a new key. Lastly, fitting a vehicle tracker can be useful in tracking your car down and getting it back should it be stolen.

Please be assured that car theft in our area is still relatively rare and the chances of you falling victim to this are still quite small. That being said, there is certainly no harm in taking preventative steps to maximise your vehicle’s security. As always, the best way to determine which forms of security are best for you is to do your own research online. There is a wealth of information available which will help you to make the best informed decisions.

Locally, there is another resource available, which is the community website Nextdoor. Along with a variety of local news and happenings, people will often post when they have been victims of various issues such as car crime in the Maida Vale area and around London, so that you can monitor recent trends and also get some useful advice. It’s easy to sign up and get notifications direct to your inbox.

Tags Car Crime, Elgin Avenue, Living in Westminster, Maida Vale, Morshead Mansions