When we build, let us think we build forever
John Ruskin
A 6 part period drama has just started on ITV called ‘Belgravia’. I have just watched the 1st episode and I thought it would be interesting to see the real present day Belgravia. It is produced by the same people who gave you Downton Abbey.
Belgravia was developed from the 1820s onwards on land owned by Robert Grosvenor the first Marquis of Westminster. The Architects and Surveyors were Father and Son both named Thomas Cundy. The Builder was Thomas Cubitt.
We are starting in Chester Square.
1.28 Turning right into Elizabeth St
2.06 We are now in Eaton Square
3.00 The traffic lights are on red so we have time to go for a walk.
3.35 Notice we're going past number 14 then 12A, 12 then 11 and no No13.
3.43 We are crossing Eaton Place, the location of the fictitious Bellamy's family home in Upstairs Downstairs.
5.30 We are now in Belgrave Square. The grandest of the squares. The 4 terraces were designed by George Basevi.
6.11 This corner house is now the Royal College of Defence Studies. Seaford House designed by Philip Hardwicke. Inside is the most amazing marble staircase.
6.30 If you are curious to see the interiors of some of these pro[erties, I recommend you return during the weekend of 19th and 20th September. It is London Open House weekend and a number of these properties are open to the public for free
6.55 Tucked behind the Square is Wilton Crescent.
7.35 The left fork leads to Knightsbridge.
8.00 Here is a statue of the man who made this all possible - The Marquis by Jonathan Wylder
8.20 His foot is resting on a milestone indicating 97 miles from Chester his country home. He is accompanied by his Talbot dogs
The motto Virtus Non Stemma loosely translates to Virtue not Pomp.
The Ruskin quote resonates. This estate is nearly 200 years old and looks magnificent. Other buildings around London have been demolished after just 30 years.
09.18 We are turning left into Grosvenor Crescent. At the far end on the left is the Lanesborough Hotel and on the right they are building the London Peninsula Hotel.
10.07 Grosvenor Gardens
10.40 This is Victoria Square designed by Sir Matthew Wyatt son of sculptor Matthew Coates Wyatt and grandson of James Wyatt the architect. It was completed in 1840. The statue is of a young Queen Victoria
No - I do not live in Belgravia, but if I had the means, I would live in Chester Square!
The car is a 1991 Volvo 940 GLE and I've had it since 2005. It has a 4 cylinder, 2.3 litre petrol engine and has done 154,000 miles.
Filmed on and before 5 Feb 2020
Негізгі бет A walk around and drive through Belgravia
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