Farleys Mews

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Mews Houses

Past & Present

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea


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Introduction Today, mews houses are some of the most

politics and society, where mews were essential

sought after properties in central London.

for those residents demanding the highest

A unique feature of some of London’s most

comforts of Victorian living.

exclusive areas, including Mayfair, Belgravia,

The older parts of London, to the east, evolved

Hyde Park and Kensington. Mews houses have

naturally as time progressed, but as building

evolved from the stables and coach houses of

development spread to the north and west,

the Victorian upper classes, to dilapidated

into areas such as Marylebone and Mayfair

garages and storage buildings, to trendy

during the 18th century, they were planned

bachelor pads of the swinging 60s, to today

out over open land as organised developments

where converted houses have become

where mews could be built alongside their

comfortable homes.

accompanying grand houses. The need for

Mews houses are unique to those areas of

stables was taken into consideration from the

London that were part of organised building

start and could be laid out accordingly without

developments during the 18th and 19th

considering existing houses or neighbouring

centuries. In these areas, streets, squares and

property. By the time Belgravia and Kensington

crescents were created for the wealthy, who also

were being built, during the 19th century, mews

required stables and coach houses. London was

were an accepted part of any new building

also a key area for mews as it was the capital of

development.

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CRANLEY MEWS

royal borough of kensington and chelsea


Images on pages 4 and 5, courtesy of Survey of London, volume 38

Origin of Mews The name ‘mews’ dates back to the 16th century,

However, in 1537 a fire destroyed the Royal

to the Tudor period, when west London did

Stables, which at the time were near today’s

not exist and the area around today’s Trafalgar

Bloomsbury. Henry VIII decided to move his

Square and the National Gallery was in fact the

horses to the mews, and although the falcons

location for the Royal falcons to ‘mew’. This was

had been removed, the name of the Royal Mews

where the birds were kept to shed their plumage,

continued. Over time, the name came to be

which was known as ‘mewing’. The name is said

accepted as the term for stables, so that by the

to originate from the French word ‘muer’, which

17th century, ‘mews’ was firmly established as

means ‘to moult’. The home of the falcons came

the name for stables and coach houses.

to be known as The Royal Mews.

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The First Mews The first official mews built in London were

were out of site so only the ornate terraced

From the designs of Inigo Jones for Covent

constructed to accompany the first London

houses facing the square were visible. This

Garden, the layout of the mews, situated behind

square – Covent Garden piazza, built during

also meant that the smell and noise from the

the houses, became the accepted design for new

the 1630s by Inigo Jones. Mews were provided

stables was hidden away. Prior to this time,

building developments in London for almost the

in the streets behind the square, to the north

horses and carriages were stored in livery yards

next 300 years. If a landowner hoped to attract

and south, with Floral Street (originally named

or in private stables away from the house, which

a higher quality resident to his development,

Hart Street) to the north and Maiden Lane to

was less convenient. The new design allowed

the provision of mews for stabling and private

the south. However, the original mews buildings

each occupant to have their own stables, with

carriages was essential.

have all since been replaced.

horses and carriages easily ordered around to

The key to the design was that horses and

the front of the house when required.

carriages could be kept nearby, but they

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Functionality and Practicality Mews buildings were built with a purely

floor and living quarters above. The layout was

to the top of the main house in order to avoid

functional purpose, to house horses and carriages

cramped and increasingly dissatisfactory for

the smoke going into the upper windows at the

while providing limited accommodation for the

both horses and occupants, with little ventilation

rear of the house.

coachman and his family, as well as for grooms

and limited space. The living quarters were often

and stable hands. This meant that layout for

shared by many, with the coachman and his wife

both horses and people was very cramped. As

and children, as well as unmarried grooms all

they were also tucked away out of sight very few

sharing the small space on the upper floor.

mews were built with thought of architectural decoration. Therefore most mews were constructed in plain brick and tile and the only decoration was given to the areas that may be viewed by the householder from the rear of the house, or from passers-by in the street.

Mews buildings were also specifically designed with no rear windows so the occupants of the mews could not look over the gardens of their wealthy owners. This further contributed to the

The focus for building development was

limited ventilation and light, as no side windows

always the main house, with little thought to

were possible with mews all built as terraced

the accommodation of the mews. Even the

buildings. The lack of space and ventilation

chimneys from mews buildings were designed

also contributed to the smell and unsavoury

with the main house in mind. In parts of

conditions as dung and rubbish piled up along

Kensington, smoke from the mews was gathered

the narrow cobbled lane in front of the mews.

Mews houses were usually only two storeys,

in one large structure (creating the impression

with horse stalls and carriages on the ground

of a flying buttress) which carried the smoke up

ASHBURN MEWS demolished early 20th century

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Image courtesy of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Libraries

royal borough of kensington and chelsea


Arches The origin of the mews arch is believed to originate from the designs of John Nash from his work on the Royal Mews attached to Buckingham Palace, as well as his work in Regents Park. His designs established the use of the arched entrance to the mews as integral to the street faÇade in most areas. In particular, the arch was included as a tool to maintain the architectural rhythm of the terraced housing, as well as a way of obscuring the unsightly stables from view. Elements of architectural decoration used on the houses in the streets and squares were often used on the arches, with many featuring classical motifs. In most cases the decoration was purely for external view, as the mews side of most arches were not decorated and remained plain. Today, many mews across Kensington retain their arched entrances and they continue to be a dominant feature to mews in the area.

Image courtesy of Survey of London, volume 38

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Image courtesy of Westminster City Archives

Demise and Transformation During the late 19th century, the use of

six horses for their carriage, as well as horses

The early 20th century saw the beginning of

mews began to decline. Improvements in

for riding in Hyde Park, which meant that one

the transformation of the mews. They began

public transport, with the introduction of

mews was not sufficient to house all that they

to be converted into garages, while some

the underground railway and better omnibus

required.

transformed into storage buildings, and even

services, meant privately kept horses were no longer essential. Combined with changes in how upper social classes used horses meant that fewer people required their own mews. Households began to hire horses when required, rather than have the expense of keeping their own horses. There were also those who required more horses than the mews would allow, with

housing for the lower classes who could not

As the 19th century came to an end, the

afford to live anywhere else. After the end of

requirement of personal horse ownership also

World War I mews were increasingly converted

decreased for fashionable society and it was

and transformed. It is believed that the first

increasingly acceptable to hire horses. By the

conversion of a mews building into a complete

turn of the 20th century, the introduction of the motor car further contributed to the demise of the mews and the need to keep horses.

home was as early as 1908, although it wasn’t until the 1920s and 30s that it became a growing phenomenon.

some large families requiring four and even

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Swinging 60s By the 1950s, the lives of the mews began

The Avengers. With popular stars such as Roger

and 70s, mews houses became increasingly

to alter once again. In particular, during the

Moore and John Steed, with their cool cars and

popular London houses for celebrities, including

rejuvenated 1960s they began to be transformed

debonair looks, based in mews houses, along

Michael Caine and Peter Cook. One of the

into popular London addresses and gained a

with their sexy co-stars, such as Diana Rigg,

other significant residents of a mews house was

reputation as the ultimate in trendy, chic living.

the popularisation of the mews was complete.

Christine Keeler, the infamous mistress of John

They also became a popular address for the

Mews houses also began to appear in literature

Profumo, who was at the centre of the Profumo

young and up-and-coming, as well as being

as well as television and film, with books such

Affair in 1963. Since this period, mews houses

the ideal bachelor pad.

as Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie, first

have continued to be popular with celebrities,

published in 1937.

with more recent residents including Paula

The transformation of the mews houses was also assisted by their inclusion in popular

Writers such as Agatha Christie also began

television programmes such as The Saint and

to live in mews houses. During the 1960s

Yates, Guy Ritchie and John Cleese.

Previous page: HUNTSWORTH MEWS BURLINGTON MEWS

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Images on previous page and this page,courtesy of Westminster City Archives

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KYNANCE MEWS Image courtesy of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries

21st century village living Mews houses went through one final

apartments. The mews houses which continued

as ‘the monarch of the mews’. Other prominent

transformation during the late 20th century

to be tucked away were no longer hidden to

architects include the firm, Herbert Stanley-

as they increasingly became popular central

block the unsightly views of the horses and

Barrett and Driver, who worked on a number

London homes. Mews properties continued

their smells, but their hidden situation created

mews across Kensington. Since the 1980s, many

to be renovated from stables and garages into

an ideal secluded village-like community.

of mews house owners have chosen to employ

homes, but the reputation shifted from trendy bachelor pads to family homes.

architects and interior designers to transform

Mews houses have also become popular

their small homes into sophisticated London

for architects and designers for complete

homes. The houses have also been transformed

The location of mews houses in prime

transformation. Many of them have been

residential areas in central London meant they

architecturally reconstructed to create modern

became a popular alternative to flats and the

homes. Some early key architects who have

larger neighbouring grand houses that were

worked on mews houses include Frederick

increasingly being renovated into separate

Etchells who is recorded as being known

to maximise the limited space offered to mews house residents.

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ONSLOW MEWS WEST

South Kensington

Charles James Freake

South Kensington retains many of its mews,

One of the most prominent builders working

having been some of the last constructed in

across South Kensington during this time was

London, at the height of their popularity.

Charles James Freake, who was responsible

The South Kensington estates, which include

for hundreds of houses, as well as many mews

the Wellcome Trust Estate (formerly the Smith

properties. He also built three churches and

Charity Estate), as well as the Alexander estate,

The National Training School for Music

the Gunter estate and the land purchased by

(today’s Royal College of Organists adjacent

the commissioners of the Great Exhibition,

to the Royal Albert Hall). Freake worked

were all developed during the mid to late 19th

extensively across the Wellcome Trust Estate

century. The layout and designs for buildings

and was responsible for mews buildings in

across Kensington accommodated mews for all

Onslow Mews West and Onslow Mews East,

the new wealthy Victorian residents. However,

as well as Reece Mews and Cranley Mews.

towards the end of the 19th century, estate agents were already beginning to question the number of mews provided, but for builders and landowners they were still seen as essential for fashionable London living. LANCASTER MEWS

15 Images courtesy of Westminster City Archive

royal borough of kensington and chelsea


Mews of South Kensington The name of ‘Onslow’ originated from one

The name ‘Cranley’ originated from Viscount

The name of Courtfield dates back to the time

of the trustees of the Wellcome Trust Estate,

Cranley, the eldest son of the Earl of Onslow.

of Henry VIII and possibly even earlier when

the Earl of Onslow. Onslow Mews East was

Cranley Mews was constructed during the

this area was an open field called ‘Courte Fielde’

constructed in the 1850s, while Onslow Mews

1870s and was officially named in 1878.

and attached to the manor of Earl’s Court.

West was built ten years later during the 1860s.

However, not all buildings were completed

Courtfield Mews was constructed in 1875-9

The western section is noted for its stand pipes

and it took a few more years for the entire

by William Radford and the old cart track across

featuring the mark of the famous Chelsea

mews to be built.

the field became Courtfield Road. Courtfield

plumber, Thomas Crapper.

Other prominent mews in Kensington include

Mews also only retains the foundation stones of its arched entrance.

Reece Mews was built during the 1870s

Hesper Mews, built in 1884-5 with building

and named after Robert Reece of Barbados,

completed by a variety of builders, including

The name of Thurloe given to many streets,

whose wife had inherited the land in this

William Willett, Joseph Mears and the Peto

including Thurloe Place Mews, originated

area from her father. Robert initiated the

Brothers. Dove Mews was built over the site

from John Thurloe, who was Secretary of

building development in this area from 1869.

of Dove Lane by Pimlico builder, John Spicer

State for Oliver Cromwell, who it is believed

No. 7 Reece Mews was formerly the studio

in 1870-1. Dove Mews is also unique as the

gave the Kensington estate to Thurloe. By the

of artist Francis Bacon.

only one to have an entire balconied row.

early 18th century the estate had passed to his

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ONSLOW MEWS EAST

Image courtesy of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries

grandson, John Thurloe Brace, from Astwood

Queensberry Rules for boxing in 1867. He is

in Buckinghamshire, and where the name of

also remembered as the father of Lord Alfred

‘Astwood’ originated for Astwood Mews. The

Douglas, who was in a relationship with the

Kensington estate was developed by his great

playwright, Oscar Wilde. In an effort to ‘save’

grandson, John Alexander in 1826.

his son, Queensberry was also behind the

Kynance Mews was originally named

arrest of Oscar Wilde.

Cornwall Mews, until it was renamed in 1924.

The name of ‘Roland’ is believed to originate

The name of Kynance is believed to originate

from Anne Elizabeth Rolland from Paris, who

from the name of a place in Cornwall, aptly

was involved with a number of building projects

placed next to Cornwall Gardens. It was built

during the 1860s. Roland Way was built in

during the 1860s and is most noted for the

around the 1870s on the Eagle Lodge Estate

churchyard wall along one side, which is now

(which had formerly been part of the manor

covered by potted plants, flowers and statues,

of Earl’s Court). It was constructed by Charles

with some baskets hanging from hooks taken

Aldin and his sons, William and Charles. It

from the former stables.

was first named Alveston Mews, but in 1921

The name of Queensberry for Queensberry Mews is believed to commemorate the

was renamed Roland Mews and then in 1936 it became Roland Way.

9th marquess who gave his name to the

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De Vere Mews was built over the southern

built over the site during the 1870s and 80s.

stretch of Grimwold’s Kensington nursery

Nearby Henniker Mews, first named Henniker

during the 1870s. De Vere Mews was unique

Place Mews, was built during the 1870s and

in that they continued to operate as stables

named after John Wright Henniker Wilson,

until much later in the 20th century. It was

who married the heiress of Chelsea Park, Mary.

occupied by the Civil Service Riding Club

Clabon Mews is situated behind the prestigious

until 1974, with accommodation for the

Cadogan Square and Lennox Gardens on the

horses on the first floor accessed by a ramp.

Cadogan Estate. It was built over the exclusive

The name of ‘Elm Park’, connected to many

Princes’ sports club that formerly offered tennis,

streets in the area, including Elm Park Lane,

ice skating, and cricket to members in the heart

originates from the 16th century when it was

of Chelsea and Knightsbridge. The mews were

said that Elizabeth I was walking through the

completed during the mid 1870s and the name

fields of Chelsea with Lord Burghley, who had

originated from John Moxton Clabon, who was

a house nearby in Brompton, when it began

solicitor to the Cadogan family.

to rain. The pair took cover under a large elm tree and from that time onwards the area was associated with the Queen’s Elm and Elm Park. During the 18th century the area was used for a raw silk farm, but the business failed. It later became known as Chelsea Park, but the Elm Park Gardens Estate, including Elm Park Lane, originally named Elm Park Gardens Mews, was

DE VERE MEWS Image courtesy of City of london Corporation, London Metropolitan Archives

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the historian melanie backe-hansen

Melanie Backe-Hansen is the first person to

York Times, International Herald Tribune,

be employed as an in-house historian by a UK

Homes and Antiques and House Beautiful.

estate agent. Melanie specialises in 18th and 19th

Melanie has spoken at a number of events on the

century history and is responsible for heightening

history of houses, including Who Do You Think

awareness of our heritage by researching the

You Are? Live! and The Listed Property Owners

history of individual houses and the history of

Club show. Melanie has also been commissioned

streets and local areas.

to write her first book featuring stories of houses which is due to be published in spring 2011.

Melanie’s house histories regularly appear in the media including The Sunday Times, The Daily

Melanie’s research has helped uncover forgotten

Mail, The Telegraph and The Times. Melanie

house histories for properties ranging from grand

also regularly contributes to blogs for Country

mansions in Mayfair to medieval hall houses in

Life and Homes & Property for the Evening

Kent. She established that George Orwell may

Standard and her own blog, The House Historian,

have based his room 101 on a converted flat on

was awarded ‘Best Newcomer’ in the 2009 Prime

Oxford Street, and has profiled the former homes

Location awards.

of P.G. Wodehouse, T.S. Eliot, H.G. Wells and former Prime Ministers, Benjamin Disraeli and

Melanie has appeared on ITN London Tonight,

melanie backe-hansen

Specialist in researching the history of houses. The first person to be employed as an in-house historian by a UK estate agent.

Follow Melanie on twitter http://twitter.com/househistorian

David Lloyd George.

BBC Radio and in the Financial Times, New

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Property Specialists in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 1900 Farleys has been a leading agent in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for over 100 years. We are a professional, progressive and proactive company specialising in residential property. Our services include Sales, Property Investment and New Developments, Lettings, Property Management and Refurbishments. Our experienced and enthusiastic team has comprehensive local knowledge and will be able to assist you in making the right decision. Farleys’ unique selling point is the ability to guide clients through all the above services in a timely and successful transaction.

Patricia Farley Area Director

Robert Budge Associate Director

23 royal borough of kensington and chelsea


44-48 Old Brompton Road London sw7 3dy sales t: 020 7589 1234

sales@farleysres.com

lettings t: 020 7589 1244

lettings@farleysres.com


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