The housing boom of the 1880's

It's not the most obvious feature and I have found I've walked past on more occasions than not without reacting, but here on England's Lane is Chalcot Gardens.

It's set back and 'protected' by a brick wall with a sort of sealed gateway effect on which is mounted an old plaque. (if you double click on the pictyure on the left it should open up and the words are much more legible larger!)

Chalcot Gardens came about in 1880, as part of the great development of the Eton College Estate that is now Belsize, Belsize Park and the Chalcots Estate itself.

The 'first six' were built in 1881 in 'Queen Anne' style. Another eight houses were built nearby in 1882-3 in Chalcot Gardens, where additions were later made to no. 16 by C. F. A. Voysey.

Eton Road has a long tradition of being occupied by artists.

Other artists included Robert Bevan (d. 1925) at no. 14 Adamson Road from 1901, Arthur Rackham at no. 16 Chalcot Gardens 1903-20, Duncan Grant at no. 143 Fellows Road c. 1910, and Stanley Spencer for a short time in Adelaide Road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Rackham

This unusual name of Chalcots is described as being related to habit, and whilst of Olde English origins, is associated with the Romans. The derivation is from "ceald-cote", which means "the cold house", an unusual distinction at a time when all houses lacked any warmth!

It seems more likely that the name refers to the location, particularly as it has been suggested that wherever a Roman road existed - ye olde Kilburn High Road (Watling Street and now the A5), so did a place called "Calde-cote", the Romans preferring to construct their roads along the windy uplands, making them more difficult to attack and less prone to flooding.

Just how many schools are there in the local area?

NW3 has one of the highest concentrations of schools in any part of London - and this part of Belsize here in Eton Avenue is no exception.

At number 15 is Sarum Hall School - it has great character and an amzing atmosphere as a place for learning for children.


http://www.sarumhallschool.co.uk/

Founded in 1929 it is looking to it's 70th anniversary next year. Incredibly and you wouldn't know this from the outside looking at it - it takes 170 pupils between the ages of 3-11. It led me to think just how many schools are there hiding away in the area?

Interesting the long held historic links with Eton College are maintained and there is a plaque for the major rebuild/refurbishment that took place recording the re-opening by the provost of Eton College.

http://www.bileduct.co.uk/sarumhall.htm

http://86.54.120.195/Splash.asp


The area was in fact developed in the 1860's and was originally known as Bursars Road - the links to the Eton estate are reflected in the street names of Belsize. The context is that the Eton College Estates was part of the Manor of Chalcots, first the property of St Jame's Leper Hospital at Westminster. In 1449 Henry V1th granted the estate to Eton College as part of the wider endowment of that College. Thus it lay agriculturally generating income and local taxes as a rural area until the 1820's boom of property redevelopment and housebuilding began to encroach.