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St John's Wood
St John's Wood
Background
St. John's Wood and the surrounding areas that the St. John's Wood covers are very well established residential areas, with numerous shopping and leisure facilities. The rolling acres of both Regents Park and Primrose Hill, provide the area with wonderful outdoor recreational facilities. There are many architectural styles of property within the area, the main being Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Regency. The areas are well served by public transport to both the City and the West End, as well as within easy commuting distance of Heathrow Airport.
Local History
Once held by William the Conqueror, St. John's Wood was eventually bestowed on the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, hence its present name. At the Reformation, the land changed hands a number of times and was divided into two main estates, a long narrow strip of land along the Edgware Road and the Eyre Estate, which still remains largely intact.
In the Middle Ages, St. John's Wood actually comprised woodland. This forest had the dubious distinction as the hiding place for Anthony Babington, following the discovery of his plan to place Mary Queen of Scots on the throne and murder Queen Elizabeth. During the Commonwealth, however, the forest was cut down and market gardens sprawled over the land.
St. John's Wood continued to develop through the 17th and 18th centuries and eventually Regent's Canal moved through the area. Still, it maintained an atmosphere of country tranquility, which attracted artists, authors, philosophers and scientists. Residents have included novelist Italian revolutionary Ugo Foscolo. The area's villas were often the establishments for courtesans.
In 1849, the Great Central Railway disturbed the calm of St. John's Wood and World War II destroyed many of the magnificent houses that once populated the streets. However, the 1950s and 1960s proved to be an era of regeneration. Many of the older properties of Carlton and Clifton Hills were refurbished and smart townhouses sprung up from the rubble of the villas. Bordering Regent's Park in the Borough of Westminster, St. John's Wood remains much of the charm that still attracts prominent residents.
Architecture
Architecturally, St. John's Wood retains pleasing styles from many different periods. There are classical Regency style houses - much sought after - with bow windows and elegant porticos; the stucco fronted houses so popular in Belgravia; beautifully proportioned Victorian houses, such as those to be found on Loudoun Road; and more recently built townhouses.
There is no doubt that this 'first suburb' of London will enter the 21st century as one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the Capital. Symbolically, the beautiful Georgian Parish Church, with it fine tower and cupola designed by Thomas Hardwick stands almost opposite the second largest mosque in Europe, built in 1973.
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