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
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You Are? Live! and The Listed Property Owners
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to write her first book featuring stories of houses which is due to be published in spring 2011.
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have based his room 101 on a converted flat on
was awarded ‘Best Newcomer’ in the 2009 Prime
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of P.G. Wodehouse, T.S. Eliot, H.G. Wells and former Prime Ministers, Benjamin Disraeli and
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Specialist in researching the history of houses. The first person to be employed as an in-house historian by a UK estate agent.
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