Overview

Chelsea has always been a district beloved by the influential and wealthy. Initially a small riverside village that centred around Chelsea Old Church, from the eighteenth century Chelsea mushroomed inland and the King’s Road, originally the private road of Charles II, became its main artery. New buildings replaced Chelsea’s market gardens and fields, and streets and squares were developed on what had been previously private estates. It became a popular artists’ colony and its bohemian reputation continued in post-war London when the King’s Road became a major fashion hub and Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood established their boutiques. Its Old Town Hall has been the venue for fashionable weddings, and Chelsea’s many listed buildings, including the Royal Hospital designed by Wren and home to the Chelsea Flower show, designer shops, theatre, concert hall, the Saatchi Gallery in the Duke of York Headquarters and characterful pubs make it a delight to visit and explore. Chelsea in 50 Buildings unveils the history of this fascinating area of West London through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. This book will appeal to all those who live in Chelsea or who have an interest in the area.

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9781398120914

Table of Contents

Reviews

'My favourite Chelsea building is Michelin House, which used to be the headquarters of the tyre company and once contained 30,000 rubber tyres. I just love the stained-glass windows, mosaics and ceramic tiles, as well as the mis of art nouveau and art deco styles. It's definitely a reason to come back to Chelsea again and again and while there, also explore all the other fascinating buildings mentioned in Lucy's book.' -- City Guide, Summer 2025

Author Information

Lucy McMurdo is a modern history graduate and native Londoner who has lived in the capital all her life. In 2003 when she qualified as a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide she combined two of her major loves, history and London and has been sharing her knowledge of the city with local and foreign visitors ever since. Always keen to explore and learn about London’s secrets she spends many hours ‘walking the streets’ looking out for hidden corners, unusual curiosities as well as architecturally significant buildings and ones that have a story to tell. She is the author of many local history books on the London area.

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