With summer just around the corner and the weather set to get warmer, we wanted to remind all residents using the garden to be considerate when doing so. Our garden is shared with our neighbours Wymering Mansions and is intended for everyone’s quiet enjoyment.
The garden area is for the use of all residents, and friends when invited, and all are welcome. Please be aware that because of the height of both buildings, sound can tend to echo and be amplified, meaning that the surrounding flats can easily be disturbed by excessive noise, especially in the summer months when most residents will have their windows open.
Please ensure you read and familiarise yourself with the section that relates to using the garden in our ‘rules’ that are listed on the website. These contain items such as children needing to be supervised at all times, earliest times that they can use the garden and restrictions on ball games and rough play that might damage planting.
Considerate use of barbecues is permitted, please always be considerate of smoke or fumes that might disturb other residents, whether in the gardens or via open windows in their flats. Disposable barbecues are not permitted on the grassed areas and due to fire risk and consideration for other residents, the use of fire pits or any open flames is strictly prohibited.
The garden tables and chairs are for everyone’s use, if you move them around, please return them to their original positions before you leave. The coloured picnic tables belong to Morshead Mansions, while all other garden furniture belongs to our neighbours in Wymering Mansions. Private planting, gardening or modification of garden areas is not permitted.
In order to maintain peace and quiet for all residents, the playing of music, amplified sound or musical instruments in the garden is not permitted. When leaving the garden, please remove all litter, food, drink containers and other personal items. If you notice any damage or maintenance issues, please report this to our managing agents.
You are welcome to use the garden for private parties or events, however, you must notify Morshead Mansions Directors well in advance, so that suitable notice can be given to residents in both Morshead Mansions and Wymering Mansions.
If you are using the garden into the evenings, especially in the summer months, please try to keep noise to a minimum and vacate the garden by 10.30pm so that other residents can sleep peacefully if they retire early. Sound tends to travel even more at night.
The communal space is a real asset to residents of Morshead Mansions and Wymering Mansions alike, and we would ask that anyone using the garden takes good care of it, leaving it as they found it. We’d like to wish everyone a good summer, let’s hope that we have plenty of warm and sunny days to enjoy this special place.
The first red brick mansion block to be built in London is 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’, the idea was to go for a more ‘fashionable’ aesthetic using red bricks. This differentiated the new mansion blocks from those previously built with the more common yellow bricks, used widely in late Georgian urbanisation.
The yellow bricks were made from London clay and during the 1800’s London was awash with brick-making businesses. These could be found in places such as Brick Lane, Kiln Place in Camden and Notting Hill’s Pottery Lane, which still has an original Georgian brick kiln, standing in the adjacent Walmer Road.
The original Kiln still standing at Walmer Road in Notting Hill
As London grew, more industrial areas were being developed for housing, much like development today. The growth of the Mansion Block coincided not only with the decline of London brick makers but also improved rail and canal networks. This made it more cost-effective to transport mass produced iron-rich, red-firing clays from outside London, predominantly from areas such as Essex, Kent and Sussex, and even as far north as the Midlands and beyond.
At the time when Mansion Blocks started appearing, flat living was largely associated with low-income housing, so using high-quality red brick, combined with decorative ornate finishings, greatly helped to overcome this stigma and open up a whole new way of living for the middle classes and the wealthy.
Red bricks were also often more resistant to the acidic soot and heavy pollution of Victorian London than the more porous local yellow bricks, helping these prestigious buildings maintain their appearance over time.
Albert Hall Mansions, thought to be the first red brick mansion block built in London
There’s no doubt that the introduction of red brick had a positive and lasting effect on London’s architecture. Red brick mansion blocks can be found in some of the capital’s most sought-after areas. These include Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Kensington, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Hampstead, Chelsea, Battersea, Fulham and Chiswick, and residents of Morshead Mansions are fortunate to live in arguably one of the most beautiful examples of the style.
It’s lovely to see Spring starting to arrive in the Morshead Mansions communal garden. If you go for a wander around our shared space you’ll see a variety of colours starting to break through, giving a real sense of the arrival of spring in Maida Vale.
Spring is the season that’s often referred to as a ‘transition’ time of year. The days get longer, the temperatures start to rise and gardens begin to show signs of life and colour. There are differences in opinion over when exactly winter ends and spring starts. Some people go by Astronomical Spring and others by Meteorological Spring. Meteorological Spring starts on March 1st, while Astronomical Spring begins this year on 20th March.
Meteorological Spring
According to the BBC Weather website, in meteorology, the four seasons are each grouped into three months, with spring occuring during March, April and May. This means that Spring starts on March 1st and summer on June 1st.
Astronomical Spring
Astronomical Spring follows the date of the spring equinox, which is determined by the Earth’s tilt as it travels around the Sun. In the northern hemisphere, the spring equinox varies between March 19th to 21st each year. This year it will begin on March 20thand end on June 21st.
Whichever way of thinking you follow, there’s no doubt that it’s already starting to feel like Spring in Maida Vale. After the greyness and perpetual rain of the Winter, for most people that will feel like a bit of a relief and help to lift the spirits!
Across the road into Paddington Recreation Ground there’s more early Spring colour in evidence. If you have some time, it’s worth having a walk through the various gardens to take a look.
We hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather and if you’d like to find out more about the Morshead Mansions communal gardens, have a look at our previous post ‘Considerate Use of the Garden’.
Residents of Morshead Mansions will no doubt be pleased to hear of the Westminster Council Tax Freeze proposed for 2026-2027. At a time when most local authorities are planning to apply significantly increases to the amounts that residents are charged annually, Westminster City Council has proposed a 2% council tax rise this year. The Council has said it will not make use of a government exemption that would allow it to set an increase above the usual referendum limit next year.
Westminster City Council’s budget for 2026-2027 is set to be formally approved following a vote at Full Council on 4th March, but they have stated that their intention is to help local residents deal with the cost of living pressures and will not apply any significant increases to the amounts charged for 2025-2026.
Westminster has historically had one of lowest upper-tier Band D council taxes in the country and the second lowest in London, so Morshead residents continue to be fortunate to be able to live within the borough and take advantage of this.
If you’d like to find out more about the Westminster Council Tax Freeze and the plans that the council has for the future, just click here. If you’d like to know more about the resources available to residents throughout the borough, you can take a look at our previous post – Living in Westminster.
A reminder to all Morshead Mansions residents that we have a new Managing Agent. As from December 1st 2025, the street is now being managed by Esskay Management Services.
For any matters relating to the building and service charge accounts, please contact them directly. Their details can be found on our website under the ‘Info‘ tab and are also listed here:
It’s that time of year again when many Morshead Mansions residents will be thinking about decorating their flats to get into the Christmas spirit. For those who are fond of real Christmas Trees, you may be wondering where to look to find one.
For many years, the site of the 123 Launderette, on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Shirland Road, has had an annual pop-up shop where you could conveniently buy your tree. However, with the property now undergoing re-development, this is no longer the case.
Where can you find real Christmas Trees locally?
Pines and Needles, the company that used to sell on the launderette site, have an alternative shop which is fairly close to Morshead Mansions. If you head east along Elgin Avenue and over the Maida Vale junction, you can’t miss it. At the corner of Abercorn Place and Hamilton Terrace is St Mark’s Church, where they have a shop outside the Vicar’s residence. They are open from 9am-9pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on the weekends.
Clifton Nurseries
Located at 5a Clifton Villas, Clifton Nurseries also have a large selection of Nordmann Fir Christmas Trees. They are open from 9am to 6pm every day except Sunday, when opening times are 11am to 5pm. Clifton Nurseries also offer a delivery service for convenience.
Recycling your Christmas Trees
As with previous years, Westminster Council will have over 25 recycling sites where you can drop your tree off once the Festive Season is over.
The closest site to Morshead Mansions will be 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 would kindly ask that residents carrying Christmas Trees in and out of the blocks take all necessary care not to damage any of the internal decorations. We wish all residents a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
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!
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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 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’.
One of the strange things about living in London is that although we’re constantly surrounded by people, it’s often the case that many don’t really make much of an effort to reach out and talk to each other. Because of this, we can sometimes end up feeling a little bit disconnected. Fortunately, living in Maida Vale, Morshead residents are surrounded by a wealth of opportunity to connect with and meet like-minded neighbours.
What’s available for people living in Maida Vale?
A whole host of resources if you know where to look. For some helpful suggestions, read on…
Maida Vale Library
A good local resource, and one that many people probably wouldn’t think of, is Maida Vale Library. Situated on Sutherland Avenue, the library is open every day except Sundays. There are many useful resources to be found here, such as employment advice sessions, free Wi-Fi, photocopying, printing, scanning, reading groups and room hire. The library also offers a range of community involvement sessions, including the following:
Digital Support
These sessions are available on Mondays and Saturdays and can be booked by calling 020 7641 6200 or by registering at the library desk. Volunteers provide one-to-one support to anyone needing help with a computer or smartphone problem. They can also help beginners who want to get started.
Return to Work Coaching
These events are designed to help people who have been out of work for a while or perhaps had a career break. Provided by The Hustle Factory, they are hosted by Francoise Carbonnel, who comes with more than 25 years of experience. Designed for anyone looking to return to work or enhance their job search strategies, these sessions come with a wealth of valuable resources. The next course is on November 5th, from 10am-11.30am.
Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
A great opportunity to learn some self-care tools to help manage stress, these sessions offer useful advice on taking steps towards a calmer mind. This MBSR taster session is facilitated by Michelle, a British Association of Mindfulness Based Approach (BAMBA) registered Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher. You can contact her directly at hello@thetheraoy.garden. The next session is on Friday October 31st, from 4-5.30pm.
As well as the library, there are other opportunities for people living in Maida Vale to connect with other locals:
Yoga Sessions
Close to Maida Vale Station at the north end of Randolph Avenue is the Iyengar Yoga Centre. Open since 1984, it was founded by BKS Iyengar, who originally taught there. It offers daily beginners classes as well as specialist classes for children, teenagers, pregnancy, 60+, students with neurological conditions and remedial yoga. To find out more, click here.
Canal Boat Rides
The London Waterbus Company runs trips daily from Little Venice to Camden Lock, taking you through Regent’s Park and past London Zoo. These trips take 45 minutes each way and can be booked one way or return. They are scenic and relaxing and offer a unique way to see the local area. If booked online, there are special reductions for children. You can find out more by clicking here.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is an online app that allows people to connect and interact with other people in their local area. Although Nextdoor connects people worldwide, when you sign up, it will filter for posts in your specific area. Useful for sourcing local tradesmen, restaurant recommendations and local news, it’s also often used for finding such things as cleaners looking for extra work or local second-hand bargains, as well as being a resource for locating lost pets. To sign up to Nextdoor, click here.
The Maida Vale Facebook Group
If you’re a Facebook user, there’s a handy local community group that aims to provide a platform to connect with neighbours, ask questions or advice, share local news and add recommendations.
If you’d like to see more information on living in Maida Vale and Westminster, take a look at our previous post here.
Morshead residents are fortunate to live right across the road from a beautiful open green space. If you’ve wandered around there recently, you may have noticed that there is a lot of new signage at Paddington Rec.
Earlier in the year, Westminster Council decided to update the look of the park. As a result of the ‘news’ piece we featured last year on the history and features of Paddington Recreation Ground, Morshead Mansions were contacted and asked if snippets of our text could be used on the new signs.
We were happy, of course, to help out and as a result are credited. Being so close to Morshead Mansions, the park often feels a bit like our ‘front garden’, so it’s nice to feel a little more ‘attached’ to the space.
The new signage at Paddington Rec certainly helps to give a new look and feel to the space, as well as making it very clear for visitors where they can find everything. Since first opening 137 years ago in 1888, the 27-acre site has seen a lot of history. It was the first park and athletic ground of its kind in London, and when opened featured a cinder cycle track where the cricket pitch is today. This was replaced in 1900 with a banked cycle track, with a running track placed inside.
Over the years, notable sports people have trained on the site. There are commemorative plaques on the side of the pavilion building for Roger Bannister (of the 4-minute mile fame), Sir Bradley Wiggins (winner of the Tour de France) and others.
In its modern day incarnation, Paddington Recreation Ground has a wealth of sporting facilities available. These include 13 tennis courts, 10 synthetic and 3 hard courts, all of which have recently been resurfaced and are in excellent playing condition. There is also a 400m athletics track, which was refurbished in 2020, 2 artificial turf pitches, a ‘water-based’ hockey pitch, a bowling green, cricket nets, a cricket pitch, 5 a side pitches, an outdoor gym area and a fully equipped indoor gym, run by Everyone Active.
If you haven’t yet seen the new signage at Paddington Rec, why not take a walk over there before summer completely disappears! If you’d like to find out more about the history and the facilities on offer, you can take a look at our previous post here.
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.
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.
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.
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 Waterway is also available to hire for events and can be split into smaller areas to cater for all party sizes.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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.’
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.
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.’
Thia Rice also offers a home delivery service, booked through Uber Eats.
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.
As with most restaurants these days, they also offer a takeaway and delivery service for customer convenience.
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.’
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.
