Canonbury and Kings Cross
This post has not been finished, it is not edited or checked
Post to the east Islington. Angel and Upper Street
All Saints Street
Thornhill Wharf The street side with the name and function of the original occupiers set, appropriately, into cement.
Peabody Trust housing by Avanti Architects job architect Justin de Syllas.
Health Centre. With Tile Picture of 1900 in the reception ‘Playing Bowls in Copenhagen Fields in the reign of George III’ from the former Star and Garter pub. Conserved by the Jackfield Conservation Studio, 1996.
1891, Thorley's HQ
4-6 Mercantile House, (1891), was Thorley's head office. The mill buildings stood between it and the canal side ones seen previously.
Vehicle entrance, through bollarded archway and disused weighbridge
Cast iron parish boundary mark
Office - red brick 1890s block with Baroque doorway is also included as part of Regent’s Wharf.
Office – a narrow building reproducing the form of a granary of c.1860.
Cast iron parish boundary post (1869).
Thornhill Wharf The street side with the name and function of the original occupiers set, appropriately, into cement.
Peabody Trust housing by Avanti Architects job architect Justin de Syllas.
Health Centre. With Tile Picture of 1900 in the reception ‘Playing Bowls in Copenhagen Fields in the reign of George III’ from the former Star and Garter pub. Conserved by the Jackfield Conservation Studio, 1996.
1891, Thorley's HQ
4-6 Mercantile House, (1891), was Thorley's head office. The mill buildings stood between it and the canal side ones seen previously.
Vehicle entrance, through bollarded archway and disused weighbridge
Cast iron parish boundary mark
Office - red brick 1890s block with Baroque doorway is also included as part of Regent’s Wharf.
Office – a narrow building reproducing the form of a granary of c.1860.
Cast iron parish boundary post (1869).
Balfe Street,
Previously Albion Street. Runs north towards the canal from the end of Caledonian Road. Displays a characteristic mid-c19 combination of domestic and industrial building: attractive residential terrace
4-8 built c1890 for the Cooper family, sellers of leather footwear and shoe uppers. Barred windows protected the valuable leather.
5-33 are a superior three-storey terrace with both ground- and first-floor openings within round-headed arches; near the centre, a works entrance dated 1846 industrial premises, part of Albion Yard.
17/17a Terraced house c1847. . An archway, contemporary with the street 1846 leads to industrial premises. Note the hardwearing granite slabs to give traffic a smooth run. These, the oldest built in 1832 on a then 'green field' site, conveniently close to the canal, were erected by George Crane, washing blue and black lead manufacturer. Since c1915 they have housed a variety of small firms, such as engineers, motorcycle makers, picture framers, George Crane works washing blue and black lead. Manager’s or proprietor's house. Stephenson, Mager & Co (1877 Kelly's entry); Importers of black lead and sole proprietors of Geo. Crane's celebrated Mexican jet lead, blue mfrs, drug and spice grinders etc. 1910 taken over by Hargreaves Bros & Co. Ocean Blue works, etc. Listed Grade II.
Terrace Grade 2 listed terrace formerly called Mexican Terrace, after George Crane's "celebrated Mexican jet lead”.
Previously Albion Street. Runs north towards the canal from the end of Caledonian Road. Displays a characteristic mid-c19 combination of domestic and industrial building: attractive residential terrace
4-8 built c1890 for the Cooper family, sellers of leather footwear and shoe uppers. Barred windows protected the valuable leather.
5-33 are a superior three-storey terrace with both ground- and first-floor openings within round-headed arches; near the centre, a works entrance dated 1846 industrial premises, part of Albion Yard.
17/17a Terraced house c1847. . An archway, contemporary with the street 1846 leads to industrial premises. Note the hardwearing granite slabs to give traffic a smooth run. These, the oldest built in 1832 on a then 'green field' site, conveniently close to the canal, were erected by George Crane, washing blue and black lead manufacturer. Since c1915 they have housed a variety of small firms, such as engineers, motorcycle makers, picture framers, George Crane works washing blue and black lead. Manager’s or proprietor's house. Stephenson, Mager & Co (1877 Kelly's entry); Importers of black lead and sole proprietors of Geo. Crane's celebrated Mexican jet lead, blue mfrs, drug and spice grinders etc. 1910 taken over by Hargreaves Bros & Co. Ocean Blue works, etc. Listed Grade II.
Terrace Grade 2 listed terrace formerly called Mexican Terrace, after George Crane's "celebrated Mexican jet lead”.
Barnsbury
Barnsbury takes its name from a medieval manor belonging to the Canons of St Paul's, whose moated grange lay on the site of Barnsbury Square. The estate was split up in 1822, and the streets, squares, and crescents were nearly all laid out from 1821 to the 1840s on small parcels of land; as a result there are many delightful variations in planning and style. It is a good place to study the shift of taste from terrace to villa. Despite some demolition since 1945 the area survives remarkably complete, enhanced by some sensitive restoration and new building. The Pioneering gentrification locality. In 1830s Baume, a Frenchman, set up Barnsbury Park Co-operative Community with a farm and radical shoemakers and so on. Said that the building of the railways encouraged the more prosperous residents to move.
Barnsbury takes its name from a medieval manor belonging to the Canons of St Paul's, whose moated grange lay on the site of Barnsbury Square. The estate was split up in 1822, and the streets, squares, and crescents were nearly all laid out from 1821 to the 1840s on small parcels of land; as a result there are many delightful variations in planning and style. It is a good place to study the shift of taste from terrace to villa. Despite some demolition since 1945 the area survives remarkably complete, enhanced by some sensitive restoration and new building. The Pioneering gentrification locality. In 1830s Baume, a Frenchman, set up Barnsbury Park Co-operative Community with a farm and radical shoemakers and so on. Said that the building of the railways encouraged the more prosperous residents to move.
Barnsbury Estate
Won a Canal Way Project prize
Won a Canal Way Project prize
Battlebridge Road
Battlebridge – what does the name mean? Cliffe was a Protestant cobbler and so Fleet stream also called ‘Cobblers Brook'. A miller in the time of Edward IV had his ears cut off for talking against the Duke of Somerset? Said also to be the place where Boadicea is said to have attacked the Romans in AD61 and killed everyone. Battlebridge then became the name of the King's Cross area. Seems to mean ‘Bridge of a battle' - but more likely it is called after boats on the Fleet. What battles were there? There was an alleged battle of King Alfred and the Danes. It s actually a corruption of Broad Ford Bridge the Bridge was a brick arch over the Fleet. It is the dustbin area where all the rubbish of London brick and tile makers was dumped. The ford was a crossing on the River Fleet, which flowed by King's Cross Station to the west. Battlebridge and the south end of Caledonian Road Battlebridge, once a hamlet by a bridge over the Fleet River, gave its name to the basin of the Regent's Canal, built east of York Road, then Maiden Lane, in 1820. The area developed with a mixture of canal- side industry and small streets of terraced houses opening off the Caledonian Road. Another settlement grew up from 1793 further around Maiden Lane. By 1830 this had become an enclave of noxious industries, and the opening of King’s Cross Station in 1852 and the development of the vast railway lands intensified the industrial character of the area and goods yard. Regeneration of these declining industrial areas was encouraged from the 1980s.
Basement for railway mess rooms, etc.
Tracks of Great Northern Railway in Imperial Gas Co. works approach road, Great Northern Railway built the bridge
Gas company flats. 1936, behind you, were a demonstration of steel-framed building by the British Steelwork Association.
Battlebridge – what does the name mean? Cliffe was a Protestant cobbler and so Fleet stream also called ‘Cobblers Brook'. A miller in the time of Edward IV had his ears cut off for talking against the Duke of Somerset? Said also to be the place where Boadicea is said to have attacked the Romans in AD61 and killed everyone. Battlebridge then became the name of the King's Cross area. Seems to mean ‘Bridge of a battle' - but more likely it is called after boats on the Fleet. What battles were there? There was an alleged battle of King Alfred and the Danes. It s actually a corruption of Broad Ford Bridge the Bridge was a brick arch over the Fleet. It is the dustbin area where all the rubbish of London brick and tile makers was dumped. The ford was a crossing on the River Fleet, which flowed by King's Cross Station to the west. Battlebridge and the south end of Caledonian Road Battlebridge, once a hamlet by a bridge over the Fleet River, gave its name to the basin of the Regent's Canal, built east of York Road, then Maiden Lane, in 1820. The area developed with a mixture of canal- side industry and small streets of terraced houses opening off the Caledonian Road. Another settlement grew up from 1793 further around Maiden Lane. By 1830 this had become an enclave of noxious industries, and the opening of King’s Cross Station in 1852 and the development of the vast railway lands intensified the industrial character of the area and goods yard. Regeneration of these declining industrial areas was encouraged from the 1980s.
Basement for railway mess rooms, etc.
Tracks of Great Northern Railway in Imperial Gas Co. works approach road, Great Northern Railway built the bridge
Gas company flats. 1936, behind you, were a demonstration of steel-framed building by the British Steelwork Association.
Bemerton Street
Bingfield Street
Independent
St.Michael’s. Gone. 1863-4 by Roumieu demolished 1986
Houses on the site of St Michael. Houses in Surrey cottage style 1984-6. Eric Lyons
Caledonian Road School
Boadicea Street. Called because the battle of Battlebridge was supposed to have been between her and the Romans.
Blessed Sacrament School
Independent
St.Michael’s. Gone. 1863-4 by Roumieu demolished 1986
Houses on the site of St Michael. Houses in Surrey cottage style 1984-6. Eric Lyons
Caledonian Road School
Boadicea Street. Called because the battle of Battlebridge was supposed to have been between her and the Romans.
Blessed Sacrament School
Boxworth Grove
Brill Street
Demolished for St.Pancras Station, Hamlet called the Brill with a pub, Brill House
Mr. Weston chimney pot maker
Demolished for St.Pancras Station, Hamlet called the Brill with a pub, Brill House
Mr. Weston chimney pot maker
Brydon Walk
Caledonia Street
An extension of the laundry, in typical Edwardian style. Note the date, 1906, and the monogram, repeated in the fragment of railings remaining. An arch at the far end has granite posts both sides to protect it from damage.
Buildings which extend behind 32 York Way; built in 1866 as part of Albion Works, a copper and brass foundry. The easternmost three storey building features a small wall crane. On the far end of the same wall is a truncated chimney, once 80ft high, for a coal-fired boiler and steam engine. Also some later buildings.
An extension of the laundry, in typical Edwardian style. Note the date, 1906, and the monogram, repeated in the fragment of railings remaining. An arch at the far end has granite posts both sides to protect it from damage.
Buildings which extend behind 32 York Way; built in 1866 as part of Albion Works, a copper and brass foundry. The easternmost three storey building features a small wall crane. On the far end of the same wall is a truncated chimney, once 80ft high, for a coal-fired boiler and steam engine. Also some later buildings.
Caledonian Road
The long, straight Caledonian Road Privately built to link Battle Bridge with Holloway Road in 1826. Originally called Chalk Road and went across the fields alongside the Crow Inn. It skirted the Thornhill estate and went over canal by Thornhill Bridge. It took its name from one of its first buildings, the Royal Caledonian Asylum. Features in films 'Naked’.
7-9 in the Arts and Crafts style; erected in 1885 as offices for the then well - known firm of varnish and colour makers, Wilkinson, Heywood & Clark Pharmaceuticals, 1876. by Romaine-Walker & Tanner, 1885. Former varnish factory of ‘fireproof ' buildings around a yard behind were a warehouse, the main factory being in West Drayton. Other firms have used the site since c1910
2-8 Alpha Place became Omega,
7 Listed Grade II. Warehouse c 1815. Used as storage
17 Mexican Terrace,
19 Queen's Arms 1850s
54-68 Commercial Place
61-97 Lansdowne Terrace, The Talbot
77 plaques 1845, 1855 to mark the boundary with Clerkenwell parish.
80 former Star and Garter pub
125 Swan Tavern
138-146 the Pub.
152-154 Bridge Wharf. Incorporates both early 19th houses, and runs along the canal. A subtle design by Chassay Wright Architects, 1988, with flats above a podium for light industry. .
All Saints, 1838. A box it was £4,412.14.8d. To build
Great Northern Hospital – here until the 1888s
Baths, 1892, on hospital site, rebuilt in 1980. First public baths in Islington.
Crow Inn
The long, straight Caledonian Road Privately built to link Battle Bridge with Holloway Road in 1826. Originally called Chalk Road and went across the fields alongside the Crow Inn. It skirted the Thornhill estate and went over canal by Thornhill Bridge. It took its name from one of its first buildings, the Royal Caledonian Asylum. Features in films 'Naked’.
7-9 in the Arts and Crafts style; erected in 1885 as offices for the then well - known firm of varnish and colour makers, Wilkinson, Heywood & Clark Pharmaceuticals, 1876. by Romaine-Walker & Tanner, 1885. Former varnish factory of ‘fireproof ' buildings around a yard behind were a warehouse, the main factory being in West Drayton. Other firms have used the site since c1910
2-8 Alpha Place became Omega,
7 Listed Grade II. Warehouse c 1815. Used as storage
17 Mexican Terrace,
19 Queen's Arms 1850s
54-68 Commercial Place
61-97 Lansdowne Terrace, The Talbot
77 plaques 1845, 1855 to mark the boundary with Clerkenwell parish.
80 former Star and Garter pub
125 Swan Tavern
138-146 the Pub.
152-154 Bridge Wharf. Incorporates both early 19th houses, and runs along the canal. A subtle design by Chassay Wright Architects, 1988, with flats above a podium for light industry. .
All Saints, 1838. A box it was £4,412.14.8d. To build
Great Northern Hospital – here until the 1888s
Baths, 1892, on hospital site, rebuilt in 1980. First public baths in Islington.
Crow Inn
Diddington Place
Shadbolt Roman Cement works, 1859. In the 1870s Percy George Shadbolt joined the firm and went to Suffolk
St Mary's Library
St.Matthais gone
Stephenson Terrace
Stephenson, Mager & Co. 1832-1877, Black lead and blue makers
Stock Orchard Crescent
Sturmer Way
Wesleyan Chapel was demolished in 1980.
Shadbolt Roman Cement works, 1859. In the 1870s Percy George Shadbolt joined the firm and went to Suffolk
St Mary's Library
St.Matthais gone
Stephenson Terrace
Stephenson, Mager & Co. 1832-1877, Black lead and blue makers
Stock Orchard Crescent
Sturmer Way
Wesleyan Chapel was demolished in 1980.
Calshot Street
Neighbourhood Centres, Borough Council offices. Islington’s four local centres to house decentralized day-to-day services planned in 1982, following the lead of Walsall. Thirteen built or converted from existing buildings Chris Purslow, Borough Architect. Look cheap but approachable with red brick, pantiled roofs, and Mackintosh-style gridded windows. Part-polygonal, mostly open-plan offices, with central clerestory-lit gallery useful for discreet surveillance and under it, tiny interview rooms, and a waiting area that opens into a garden segment.
8 storey blocks of flats by Finsbury Borough
Busaco Estate and four storey block
22 Grimaldi
Neighbourhood Centres, Borough Council offices. Islington’s four local centres to house decentralized day-to-day services planned in 1982, following the lead of Walsall. Thirteen built or converted from existing buildings Chris Purslow, Borough Architect. Look cheap but approachable with red brick, pantiled roofs, and Mackintosh-style gridded windows. Part-polygonal, mostly open-plan offices, with central clerestory-lit gallery useful for discreet surveillance and under it, tiny interview rooms, and a waiting area that opens into a garden segment.
8 storey blocks of flats by Finsbury Borough
Busaco Estate and four storey block
22 Grimaldi
Campbell Walk
Canal
Battlebridge Basin or Horsfall Basin - Horsfall was the landowner. 1990s the basin was surrounded by some imaginatively converted warehouses, interspersed with new housing. A mixture of taller warehouses of the early c20 and low- key late c20 housing. The natural fall of the land means that part of the basin (1819 480ft by 155ft) is above street level, made up, it is said. By spoil from Islington Tunnel. Residential narrow boats, formerly used commercially, are often moored here. The basin was not completely surrounded by buildings; some of the now - vacant land was timber yards.
Charles Bartlett & Co., export packers, put their own name on chimney stack adjacent to Battlebridge Basin. Some early writing can be seen - 'Bartlett premises'. Premises occupied since about 1960 by Charles Bartlett. This firm of packing case manufacturers expanded over the years to occupy some adjacent properties.
Albert Wharf. In The north - east corner of Battlebridge basin. Rounded -corner single storey building partly constructed from various materials of different shapes and sizes probably spare from the stone merchants and contractors who occupied the site. This was Cooper & Sewell (c1847-1880) and J. Mowlem & Co. (c1880-1922). The latter remain major contractors. A two storey brick building, with a square chimney, backs onto the canal. Dating from about 1870, it at one time included stabling.
Regent's Wharf. Boldly reconstructed 19th grain milling complex and new offices. 1991. Older cattle food mill and grain silo opened by with glazed areas. Picturesquely grouped around a yard between the street and the canal. By Rock Townsend, 1991. Less domineering and more elegant than their contemporary work at the Angel. The new build consists of simple rectangular yellow brick blocks with attics and curious blind or pan-blind oriels of copper sheeting. The older cattle-food mill c-1890 have been partially opened up by glazed areas. An undulating timber-clad staircase wall and a block in striped red and yellow brick provide additional texture within the yard;
The Bridge into gas works with a siding stood where the canal narrows for stop gates. The stop gates were installed in Second World War. They were closed if the canal was breached to save the railway lines and they closed when sirens went.
From Wharf Road to Sturt's Lock is in Islington — as can be seen from the litter bins — and looking at Hackney across the water.
Great Northern Railway tunnels, underneath 1852, 1874-8 and 1889-92
Canal widens before Maiden Lane Bridge for barges moored at flour mills
Blockhouse At the steps by Maiden Lane bridge. Containing cooling plant for the high voltage power cables under the towpath.
Concrete bridge private bridge used by National Carriers.
Curve round Great Northern Railway goods yard wall
Thorley. The two tall late 19th century buildings at the water's edge at Battlebridge Basin were a warehouse and a granary for Thorley's cattle food and cake mill. Joseph Thorley, who started making his product in Hull in 1848, moved here c1860. The firm, taken over by J. Bibby and Son Ltd. in 1952, left the site in 1957. The granary contained eight tall silos, hence the lack of windows between ground and top floors and the wall-ties to give the building strength. The narrow towers of loading doors each had 'cathead' hoists. 'Danger' notice on the wall and 'Thorley's food for cattle'.
W.J.Plaistow & Co. Jam making buildings of. Notice 'jams and marmalades'. It was once J. Dickenson's paper warehouses several adjoining factory and warehouse buildings. These were used from the late 19th century until 1926. Around the basin.
Pembroke Wharf set back to let boats pass. Grain merchant’s building with and warehousing. The small three storey building was stables with fodder and grain stores above
Thornhill Wharf. The buildings, dating from 1855, were the premises of Coles, Shadbolt and Co., Portland Cement manufacturers, later owned by the British Portland Cement Co.
Warehouse on Battlebridge Basin. 1926. five storey warehouse which retains its goods doors and remnants of 'cathead" hoists at the top. It provided additional accommodation for Thorley's
Goods way moorings.
Horse ramp in the tow path
Islington tunnel. (built 1815-18) It is 960 yards long and every ten metres is marked inside the tunnel. cut through blue London clay It measures 60' below summit, 17' wide; 4' deep; 9'9" above water. James Morgan designed it 1812-1820. It was opened in 1820 by Lord Macclesfield in the City Barge. There is no towpath, and all boats were 'legged' although by teams of men employed by the Canal Company. In 1826 a steam tug was introduced which hauled itself along a chain laid through the tunnel; similar tugs continued in use until the 1930s. Horses were led over the top to rejoin their boats There is a slope alongside the tunnel for the horse to go up through Pentonville Hill. The New River crossed it in a wooden trough while it was being built. The character changes and the west portal is at risk and also the east portal is at risk
St. Pancras lock, twin chamber (one out of use). One of 13 on the canal which drops 100ft in 8 miles. The canal was often short of water and the two chambers acted as mutual side-ponds.
Lock keepers cottage – no lock keeper, two before 2WW. Brick building, l880, was also a pumping station by which water was pumped back up the canal.
Maiden Lane pumping station - yellow building with steps. CEGB cooling station containing cooling plant for the high voltage power cables under the towpath
Moorings for London Narrow Boat Assoc. and 'Taporley' Camden Youth service boat
Natural fall of land made up with spoil
New Red brick building on right of canal has replaced the Westinghouse Brake Co offices demolished in 1970s. Stands on the corner of Horsfall Basin
Piccadilly line under the canal in 1903
Porters warehouses
Pumping station
Sickert painting of the gardens in Noel Road
Somers Bridge, pad stone remains. The bridge provided access to goods yard, its successor is the concrete bridge
Stables from canal curving brick wall with windows at ground floor level. Railway stables
Bridge wrought iron railway bridge over the canal, which determined the MR's approach to St. Pancras.
Maiden Lane Bridge – see York Way
Stop gates for 2nd World War. Just past Maiden Lane Bridge is the second pair of stop gates closed when the air raid sirens sounded in Second World War to avoid flooding of the railway tunnels. From the water's edge stop-gates can be seen in the canal. Could be closed to prevent flooding of Gasworks Tunnels in event of a breach.
Thornhill Bridge. Thornhill local landowner. Public park giving access to Caledonian road
Under the bridge see how the road has been widened. Black all where the basin in the gas works entrance was
Concrete bridge, 1920s
Shallow brick arch high in the wall indicates the entrance to the Granary Basin, 1851. Blocked wide arch for second canal arm to go into the goods yard. Tow path rises over it as an entrance to basin.
Warehouse with preservation order on it
Small windows in the canal side wall ventilate stables in the Goods Yard.
Canal
Battlebridge Basin or Horsfall Basin - Horsfall was the landowner. 1990s the basin was surrounded by some imaginatively converted warehouses, interspersed with new housing. A mixture of taller warehouses of the early c20 and low- key late c20 housing. The natural fall of the land means that part of the basin (1819 480ft by 155ft) is above street level, made up, it is said. By spoil from Islington Tunnel. Residential narrow boats, formerly used commercially, are often moored here. The basin was not completely surrounded by buildings; some of the now - vacant land was timber yards.
Charles Bartlett & Co., export packers, put their own name on chimney stack adjacent to Battlebridge Basin. Some early writing can be seen - 'Bartlett premises'. Premises occupied since about 1960 by Charles Bartlett. This firm of packing case manufacturers expanded over the years to occupy some adjacent properties.
Albert Wharf. In The north - east corner of Battlebridge basin. Rounded -corner single storey building partly constructed from various materials of different shapes and sizes probably spare from the stone merchants and contractors who occupied the site. This was Cooper & Sewell (c1847-1880) and J. Mowlem & Co. (c1880-1922). The latter remain major contractors. A two storey brick building, with a square chimney, backs onto the canal. Dating from about 1870, it at one time included stabling.
Regent's Wharf. Boldly reconstructed 19th grain milling complex and new offices. 1991. Older cattle food mill and grain silo opened by with glazed areas. Picturesquely grouped around a yard between the street and the canal. By Rock Townsend, 1991. Less domineering and more elegant than their contemporary work at the Angel. The new build consists of simple rectangular yellow brick blocks with attics and curious blind or pan-blind oriels of copper sheeting. The older cattle-food mill c-1890 have been partially opened up by glazed areas. An undulating timber-clad staircase wall and a block in striped red and yellow brick provide additional texture within the yard;
The Bridge into gas works with a siding stood where the canal narrows for stop gates. The stop gates were installed in Second World War. They were closed if the canal was breached to save the railway lines and they closed when sirens went.
From Wharf Road to Sturt's Lock is in Islington — as can be seen from the litter bins — and looking at Hackney across the water.
Great Northern Railway tunnels, underneath 1852, 1874-8 and 1889-92
Canal widens before Maiden Lane Bridge for barges moored at flour mills
Blockhouse At the steps by Maiden Lane bridge. Containing cooling plant for the high voltage power cables under the towpath.
Concrete bridge private bridge used by National Carriers.
Curve round Great Northern Railway goods yard wall
Thorley. The two tall late 19th century buildings at the water's edge at Battlebridge Basin were a warehouse and a granary for Thorley's cattle food and cake mill. Joseph Thorley, who started making his product in Hull in 1848, moved here c1860. The firm, taken over by J. Bibby and Son Ltd. in 1952, left the site in 1957. The granary contained eight tall silos, hence the lack of windows between ground and top floors and the wall-ties to give the building strength. The narrow towers of loading doors each had 'cathead' hoists. 'Danger' notice on the wall and 'Thorley's food for cattle'.
W.J.Plaistow & Co. Jam making buildings of. Notice 'jams and marmalades'. It was once J. Dickenson's paper warehouses several adjoining factory and warehouse buildings. These were used from the late 19th century until 1926. Around the basin.
Pembroke Wharf set back to let boats pass. Grain merchant’s building with and warehousing. The small three storey building was stables with fodder and grain stores above
Thornhill Wharf. The buildings, dating from 1855, were the premises of Coles, Shadbolt and Co., Portland Cement manufacturers, later owned by the British Portland Cement Co.
Warehouse on Battlebridge Basin. 1926. five storey warehouse which retains its goods doors and remnants of 'cathead" hoists at the top. It provided additional accommodation for Thorley's
Goods way moorings.
Horse ramp in the tow path
Islington tunnel. (built 1815-18) It is 960 yards long and every ten metres is marked inside the tunnel. cut through blue London clay It measures 60' below summit, 17' wide; 4' deep; 9'9" above water. James Morgan designed it 1812-1820. It was opened in 1820 by Lord Macclesfield in the City Barge. There is no towpath, and all boats were 'legged' although by teams of men employed by the Canal Company. In 1826 a steam tug was introduced which hauled itself along a chain laid through the tunnel; similar tugs continued in use until the 1930s. Horses were led over the top to rejoin their boats There is a slope alongside the tunnel for the horse to go up through Pentonville Hill. The New River crossed it in a wooden trough while it was being built. The character changes and the west portal is at risk and also the east portal is at risk
St. Pancras lock, twin chamber (one out of use). One of 13 on the canal which drops 100ft in 8 miles. The canal was often short of water and the two chambers acted as mutual side-ponds.
Lock keepers cottage – no lock keeper, two before 2WW. Brick building, l880, was also a pumping station by which water was pumped back up the canal.
Maiden Lane pumping station - yellow building with steps. CEGB cooling station containing cooling plant for the high voltage power cables under the towpath
Moorings for London Narrow Boat Assoc. and 'Taporley' Camden Youth service boat
Natural fall of land made up with spoil
New Red brick building on right of canal has replaced the Westinghouse Brake Co offices demolished in 1970s. Stands on the corner of Horsfall Basin
Piccadilly line under the canal in 1903
Porters warehouses
Pumping station
Sickert painting of the gardens in Noel Road
Somers Bridge, pad stone remains. The bridge provided access to goods yard, its successor is the concrete bridge
Stables from canal curving brick wall with windows at ground floor level. Railway stables
Bridge wrought iron railway bridge over the canal, which determined the MR's approach to St. Pancras.
Maiden Lane Bridge – see York Way
Stop gates for 2nd World War. Just past Maiden Lane Bridge is the second pair of stop gates closed when the air raid sirens sounded in Second World War to avoid flooding of the railway tunnels. From the water's edge stop-gates can be seen in the canal. Could be closed to prevent flooding of Gasworks Tunnels in event of a breach.
Thornhill Bridge. Thornhill local landowner. Public park giving access to Caledonian road
Under the bridge see how the road has been widened. Black all where the basin in the gas works entrance was
Concrete bridge, 1920s
Shallow brick arch high in the wall indicates the entrance to the Granary Basin, 1851. Blocked wide arch for second canal arm to go into the goods yard. Tow path rises over it as an entrance to basin.
Warehouse with preservation order on it
Small windows in the canal side wall ventilate stables in the Goods Yard.
Carnegie Street
Charlotte Terrace, Called after Thornhill child. In the early 1850's Thomas Ottewill was a
cabinet maker at 23 and 24. By 1860 he employed over 20 men and were
photographic equipment manufacturers. They appear, to have ceased trading by
1867.
Chenies Place
Civil war earthworks 1642 at St Pancras which were interpreted by Stukeley as a Roman Camp. One of these, was still visible in 1826 and possibly coinciding with the Great Slip Field was on the site bounded by Pancras Road, Chenies Place and Purchese Street
Civil war earthworks 1642 at St Pancras which were interpreted by Stukeley as a Roman Camp. One of these, was still visible in 1826 and possibly coinciding with the Great Slip Field was on the site bounded by Pancras Road, Chenies Place and Purchese Street
Cheney
Road
Railway Hotel Curve. Underneath the road is the down line of the Great Northern Railway line, only used for stock turnaround.Also the Down line from the Metropolitan line to Moorgate.
Railway Hotel Curve. Underneath the road is the down line of the Great Northern Railway line, only used for stock turnaround.Also the Down line from the Metropolitan line to Moorgate.
Clarence Passage
Collier Street
The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
Calshot House. Added to the Tecton estate in 1952.
Wynford House. Added to the Tecton Estate in 1952
Priory Green Estate. Part of Finsbury's grand post-war housing programme. The largest of Tecton's Finsbury estates, completed by Skinner, Bailey & Lubetkin, 1947-57 but compromised by cost-cutting. Four blocks storeys, and six eight-storey blocks, formally arranged in two facing groups. The circular building at the corner was designed as a laundry, with district boiler house beneath, the only amenity that survived the drastic cuts. There are access galleries instead of the intended stairs and lifts, also for economy. The private balcony sides are livelier, including lower blocks with typical Tecton chequer patterning. The tall blocks had open corner entrances, deliberately prominent, but now glazed in; their entrance halls originally had large murals by Feliks Topolski. 2008 done up by Peabody.
The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
Calshot House. Added to the Tecton estate in 1952.
Wynford House. Added to the Tecton Estate in 1952
Priory Green Estate. Part of Finsbury's grand post-war housing programme. The largest of Tecton's Finsbury estates, completed by Skinner, Bailey & Lubetkin, 1947-57 but compromised by cost-cutting. Four blocks storeys, and six eight-storey blocks, formally arranged in two facing groups. The circular building at the corner was designed as a laundry, with district boiler house beneath, the only amenity that survived the drastic cuts. There are access galleries instead of the intended stairs and lifts, also for economy. The private balcony sides are livelier, including lower blocks with typical Tecton chequer patterning. The tall blocks had open corner entrances, deliberately prominent, but now glazed in; their entrance halls originally had large murals by Feliks Topolski. 2008 done up by Peabody.
Copenhagen Street
Copenhagen House in Copenhagen Fields. Hide out for Polish ambassador. Good view. Gordon rioters
Great Northern Railway Tunnel, 1846-50 by Sir William Cubitt, cuts diagonally through the borough with a tunnel under Copenhagen Fields. A diversionary route of 1872-4 passes beneath Highbury Hill to join the North London Railway.
Sunya floor cloth factory at the Back of Copenhagen House
Ebonite tower had been built for Taylor’s, water meter manufacturers. 1878. In 1870 they built a tower to hold three different water tanks at different heights with a flue up through the centre. Meters were tested by water pressure at different heights. The water was re-used. Two construction companies were bankrupted in the process of laying the foundations. The German air force used it as a landmark in the war. The Tower was wrapped in fleece to stop it freezing. Demolished 1983
1-23 Denmark Terrace, South Islington and British schools 1841 used as cardboard box manufactures
Copenhagen Cinema, now council housing
Church of the Blessed Sacrament. 1916. Red brick by Robert L. Ct red brick in a domestic-looking Free Style with large Romanesque doorways. Additions include the sanctuary by T. G. Birchall 1957-9, and a presbytery with monopitch roofs.
Matilda Street Estate GLC 1978
Copenhagen House in Copenhagen Fields. Hide out for Polish ambassador. Good view. Gordon rioters
Great Northern Railway Tunnel, 1846-50 by Sir William Cubitt, cuts diagonally through the borough with a tunnel under Copenhagen Fields. A diversionary route of 1872-4 passes beneath Highbury Hill to join the North London Railway.
Sunya floor cloth factory at the Back of Copenhagen House
Ebonite tower had been built for Taylor’s, water meter manufacturers. 1878. In 1870 they built a tower to hold three different water tanks at different heights with a flue up through the centre. Meters were tested by water pressure at different heights. The water was re-used. Two construction companies were bankrupted in the process of laying the foundations. The German air force used it as a landmark in the war. The Tower was wrapped in fleece to stop it freezing. Demolished 1983
1-23 Denmark Terrace, South Islington and British schools 1841 used as cardboard box manufactures
Copenhagen Cinema, now council housing
Church of the Blessed Sacrament. 1916. Red brick by Robert L. Ct red brick in a domestic-looking Free Style with large Romanesque doorways. Additions include the sanctuary by T. G. Birchall 1957-9, and a presbytery with monopitch roofs.
Matilda Street Estate GLC 1978
Cowdenbeath Street
Crinan Street
Corner with York Way, Connolly tyre business extension
'Waterside Inn, beyond, has a terrace alongside Battlebridge Basin. Terrace for watching birds
Rear entrance to 68 York Way
Brick wall with two tiers of small windows, a remnant of stables for 60 horses. These were owned by Young Bros., bulk suppliers of hay and straw to firms for their cartage horses/stables. This business closed c1920.
Lacre Motors London depot large doored. building. name from original Long Acre site. here from 1911 until the late 1930s. Their car and lorry production was in Hertfordshire. The corner building has a wall-mounted crane, fabricated from flat iron bars. to take goods to the first floor workshops. It became ecology centre offices in 1986.
4 Porters South. conversion of Porter's bottling works of 1906 onwards, which stretches all the way down the side of Battlebridge basin. The two blocks were recast in 1988 by Fitch Benoy for their architecture and design company, and later sold to Macmillan Publishing. adjacent warehouse conversions overlooking Battlebridge Basin, within Regent's canal, occupied by rival design practices.
Corner with York Way, Connolly tyre business extension
'Waterside Inn, beyond, has a terrace alongside Battlebridge Basin. Terrace for watching birds
Rear entrance to 68 York Way
Brick wall with two tiers of small windows, a remnant of stables for 60 horses. These were owned by Young Bros., bulk suppliers of hay and straw to firms for their cartage horses/stables. This business closed c1920.
Lacre Motors London depot large doored. building. name from original Long Acre site. here from 1911 until the late 1930s. Their car and lorry production was in Hertfordshire. The corner building has a wall-mounted crane, fabricated from flat iron bars. to take goods to the first floor workshops. It became ecology centre offices in 1986.
4 Porters South. conversion of Porter's bottling works of 1906 onwards, which stretches all the way down the side of Battlebridge basin. The two blocks were recast in 1988 by Fitch Benoy for their architecture and design company, and later sold to Macmillan Publishing. adjacent warehouse conversions overlooking Battlebridge Basin, within Regent's canal, occupied by rival design practices.
8 Porters North. More pragmatically fitted their well-planned offices
into the existing fabric c. 1989. live-work studios arranged around access yards next to the
canal, and two Grade II listed Georgian buildings refurbished as offices. The complex is a welcome addition to the
area.
Cumming Street,
Penton development. A speculation by Cuming, a clock maker. This was Affleck Street, built in 1884 by A.Attneve - was his name Affleck. The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
8 storey blocks of flats by Finsbury Borough, Busaco Estate, Bombed
Female Penitentiary
Cynthia Street
Called after Thornhill child
Metropolitan Water board factory for meter repairs
Penton development. A speculation by Cuming, a clock maker. This was Affleck Street, built in 1884 by A.Attneve - was his name Affleck. The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
8 storey blocks of flats by Finsbury Borough, Busaco Estate, Bombed
Female Penitentiary
Cynthia Street
Called after Thornhill child
Metropolitan Water board factory for meter repairs
Delhi Street,
'Dreadful slum'. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
Estate by Eric Lyons Cunningham Metcalfe 1973-8, humanely laid out with a high proportion of private gardens.
'Dreadful slum'. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
Estate by Eric Lyons Cunningham Metcalfe 1973-8, humanely laid out with a high proportion of private gardens.
Donegal Street
The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
Elizabeth Garratt Anderson School. Plaque to Bronterre O'Brien
The site of White Conduit House and its gardens covered by slums and dreary streets, some of which mercifully removed by bombs. Large bombed sites have been cleared of their debris
Elizabeth Garratt Anderson School. Plaque to Bronterre O'Brien
Edward Square,
Called after Thornhill child
Regents long gone but still a street sign there dated from 1860
Little Prince of Wales
W.H.Smith garages
Garden in the centre run by the vestry from 1888, was saved for games purposes but derelict in the 1990s.
Called after Thornhill child
Regents long gone but still a street sign there dated from 1860
Little Prince of Wales
W.H.Smith garages
Garden in the centre run by the vestry from 1888, was saved for games purposes but derelict in the 1990s.
Everilda Street,
Called after Thornhill child
St.Thomas early decorated church. design by Arthur Bailey, it was not in fact ever built
Parish Schools
Called after Thornhill child
St.Thomas early decorated church. design by Arthur Bailey, it was not in fact ever built
Parish Schools
Figs Mead Gate
Fife Terrace
At the end. A part of an early 19th century terrace remains.
At the end. A part of an early 19th century terrace remains.
Gifford Street
Gifford County Secondary School
Keskidee Arts Centre in old Mission Hall
William of York School. 1876. Extended c. 1890 with superimposed halls; wing added 1915-16. LSB
Gifford County Secondary School
Keskidee Arts Centre in old Mission Hall
William of York School. 1876. Extended c. 1890 with superimposed halls; wing added 1915-16. LSB
Goods
Way
Under Regents Canal. Four feet above the bank is the road tunnel painted in two places 35' apart. Probably for maintenance engineers. Great Northern Railway went under canal in 1852 and work done in a week while the canal was closed.
Boundary between St.Mary Islington and St.Pancras the Martyr markers in stone on the station wall. A Cast iron shield on the wall. Bollards with St.Pancras initials
Cobbled roadway was a bridge across the railway
Road for cabs to reach the arrival platform 1852
Plate Girder Bridge carrying lines out of St.Pancras
The Hats, 1936, were a demonstration of steel-framed building by the British Steelwork Association.
St.Pancras water point. Tank in Gothic arcaded brickwork. 1868. for the replenishment of engine boilers. Ornate red brick building on the railway
St.Pancras Gas Works of the Imperial Gas Co. 1822-1964. In 1869 it was the largest gas works in London. Holders built 1861, 1864, 1867 and 1883. Railway works in front and a Temperance Hall, 1870, by the Great Northern Railway alongside. Taken over by the Gas Light and Coke Co in 1876. In 1904 they made 1,700m cu ft. - 1875 had been 1,400, and 1862 1,000 annual daily capacity. Gas first made in 1824. This was the first works of the Imperial Company but by 1904 the only modern equipment used was the coal unloading cranes. Still used the original exhauster treble bell type, and hand stoked retorts in six retort houses. A site of 11 acres with five gasholders. The holders were all small because of the small amount of area of land available. Bow Museum had the plates from the gasholders saying 'erected 1861 telescoped 1880' and 'erected 1864 telescoped 1886'. There was a coal delivery viaduct over the canal. On the 'other' side of the canal, the viaduct was supported on some very fancy ironwork brackets with a little cage on the top. Gasholders demolished 2001. St. Pancras. 1824 "A fine example of gas making practice", opened by Sir William Congreve. On the Regents Canal, with an inlet giving coal handling facilities. Until 1869 the largest works in London. Closed for gas making in 1907. This is a famous site, still in British Gas use with listed holders (seen from the trains out of St Pancras). These holders were built on a later extension to the main site after 1860.
Under Regents Canal. Four feet above the bank is the road tunnel painted in two places 35' apart. Probably for maintenance engineers. Great Northern Railway went under canal in 1852 and work done in a week while the canal was closed.
Boundary between St.Mary Islington and St.Pancras the Martyr markers in stone on the station wall. A Cast iron shield on the wall. Bollards with St.Pancras initials
Cobbled roadway was a bridge across the railway
Road for cabs to reach the arrival platform 1852
Plate Girder Bridge carrying lines out of St.Pancras
The Hats, 1936, were a demonstration of steel-framed building by the British Steelwork Association.
St.Pancras water point. Tank in Gothic arcaded brickwork. 1868. for the replenishment of engine boilers. Ornate red brick building on the railway
St.Pancras Gas Works of the Imperial Gas Co. 1822-1964. In 1869 it was the largest gas works in London. Holders built 1861, 1864, 1867 and 1883. Railway works in front and a Temperance Hall, 1870, by the Great Northern Railway alongside. Taken over by the Gas Light and Coke Co in 1876. In 1904 they made 1,700m cu ft. - 1875 had been 1,400, and 1862 1,000 annual daily capacity. Gas first made in 1824. This was the first works of the Imperial Company but by 1904 the only modern equipment used was the coal unloading cranes. Still used the original exhauster treble bell type, and hand stoked retorts in six retort houses. A site of 11 acres with five gasholders. The holders were all small because of the small amount of area of land available. Bow Museum had the plates from the gasholders saying 'erected 1861 telescoped 1880' and 'erected 1864 telescoped 1886'. There was a coal delivery viaduct over the canal. On the 'other' side of the canal, the viaduct was supported on some very fancy ironwork brackets with a little cage on the top. Gasholders demolished 2001. St. Pancras. 1824 "A fine example of gas making practice", opened by Sir William Congreve. On the Regents Canal, with an inlet giving coal handling facilities. Until 1869 the largest works in London. Closed for gas making in 1907. This is a famous site, still in British Gas use with listed holders (seen from the trains out of St Pancras). These holders were built on a later extension to the main site after 1860.
Grimaldi Park
Grimaldi Park House. Successor to St.James Church, built in 1787 and altered in 1920. Rebuild by Allies and Morrison, an odd building and is a product of the Church Commissioners' and local planners' insistence that any new building should respect the memory of the church which was demolished in 1981. It is now a corporate furniture showroom and offices.
Grimaldi Park House. Successor to St.James Church, built in 1787 and altered in 1920. Rebuild by Allies and Morrison, an odd building and is a product of the Church Commissioners' and local planners' insistence that any new building should respect the memory of the church which was demolished in 1981. It is now a corporate furniture showroom and offices.
Half Moon Crescent
Vittoria Primary School. Experimental design by ILEA. With reference to the Plowden Report for a more domestic approach. 1960
Vittoria Primary School. Experimental design by ILEA. With reference to the Plowden Report for a more domestic approach. 1960
Havelock Street
'Dreadful slum’. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
'Dreadful slum’. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
Hemingford Road
Name of Thornhill's wife. Name Hemmingford Grey. Built during the 1830s and 1840s. Axial Road parallel with the meandering Thornhill Road. Built up in parcels and in distinctly contrasting styles, first rated in 1848 and 1849. Linked villas of the 1840s. Several pairs have pediments, thin and stuccoed, or more Italianate with bracketed windows; some have hipped roofs.
Bethesda villas, named after the lessee of the Angel Inn 1845 more like Kensington than Islington,
149 Sisters of Loreto
St Thomas's, gone
Hemingford Arms
Name of Thornhill's wife. Name Hemmingford Grey. Built during the 1830s and 1840s. Axial Road parallel with the meandering Thornhill Road. Built up in parcels and in distinctly contrasting styles, first rated in 1848 and 1849. Linked villas of the 1840s. Several pairs have pediments, thin and stuccoed, or more Italianate with bracketed windows; some have hipped roofs.
Bethesda villas, named after the lessee of the Angel Inn 1845 more like Kensington than Islington,
149 Sisters of Loreto
St Thomas's, gone
Hemingford Arms
Keystone Crescent
Built across the parish boundary. c. 1845 a minute late example of Neoclassical planning. Two-storey and basement houses on both sides. Near the scruffy end of Caledonian Road
Built across the parish boundary. c. 1845 a minute late example of Neoclassical planning. Two-storey and basement houses on both sides. Near the scruffy end of Caledonian Road
Killick Street
Stuart Mill House. Utilitarian flats 1951. Offices dressed in the post modern garb of the 1990s, with bowed fronts and jutting eave utilitarian indeed; six storey flats by Joseph Emberton, 1951. Long modernist concrete balconies; none of Tecton's refinement.
Bonington House
Peabody flats to rent
Stuart Mill House. Utilitarian flats 1951. Offices dressed in the post modern garb of the 1990s, with bowed fronts and jutting eave utilitarian indeed; six storey flats by Joseph Emberton, 1951. Long modernist concrete balconies; none of Tecton's refinement.
Bonington House
Peabody flats to rent
King's Cross
Under it in the 1870s found a mammoth with flint axes inside
King's Cross Passenger Station. 1852 Frontage designed by Lewis Cubitt and much praised for its fitness for purpose in comparison with St Pancras station. Not much good really - More like the entrance to a gaol. Designed on the basis of the Moscow Riding School. The London terminus of the Great Northern Railway (GNR), which served the eastern side of the country. Main terminus of the Eastern Region BR. Buses to other London termini. For 60 years Midland railway trains used the line into King's Cross. The tower (120 ft high) contains a clock, which adorned the Crystal Palace during the 1851 exhibition. Lewis Cubitt boasted that a good station could be built at King's Cross for less than the cost of the ornamental arch, or more correctly 'propylaeum', which until recently dominated the entrance to Euston Station. Cubitt constructed two spans, originally with wooden beams, each 105 feet wide. It has been suggested that he based his designs broadly on the Tsar's Riding Stables, then just completed in Moscow. Cubitt separated the spans by a clock tower 112 feet high. Completing the ensemble are the offices to the left of the facade, and the cab drive to the right. Also a Great Western Railway line. 1869 timber roof replaced 1869 and 1887. 1882 Crompton supplying more than one light from one generator, 12 arc lamps in 2 lines of 6 30 ft above the platform. Dene Bar. The tower (120 ft high) contains a clock which adorned the Crystal Palace during the 1851 exhibition. Lewis Cubitt boasted that a good station could be built at King's Cross for less than the cost of the ornamental arch, or more correctly 'propylaeum', which until recently dominated the entrance to Euston Station. Cubitt constructed two spans, originally with wooden beams, each 105 feet wide. It has been suggested that he based his designs broadly on the Tsar's Riding Stables, then just completed in Moscow. Cubitt separated the spans by a clock tower 112 feet high. Completing the ensemble are the offices to the left of the facade, and the cab drive to the right.
Under it in the 1870s found a mammoth with flint axes inside
King's Cross Passenger Station. 1852 Frontage designed by Lewis Cubitt and much praised for its fitness for purpose in comparison with St Pancras station. Not much good really - More like the entrance to a gaol. Designed on the basis of the Moscow Riding School. The London terminus of the Great Northern Railway (GNR), which served the eastern side of the country. Main terminus of the Eastern Region BR. Buses to other London termini. For 60 years Midland railway trains used the line into King's Cross. The tower (120 ft high) contains a clock, which adorned the Crystal Palace during the 1851 exhibition. Lewis Cubitt boasted that a good station could be built at King's Cross for less than the cost of the ornamental arch, or more correctly 'propylaeum', which until recently dominated the entrance to Euston Station. Cubitt constructed two spans, originally with wooden beams, each 105 feet wide. It has been suggested that he based his designs broadly on the Tsar's Riding Stables, then just completed in Moscow. Cubitt separated the spans by a clock tower 112 feet high. Completing the ensemble are the offices to the left of the facade, and the cab drive to the right. Also a Great Western Railway line. 1869 timber roof replaced 1869 and 1887. 1882 Crompton supplying more than one light from one generator, 12 arc lamps in 2 lines of 6 30 ft above the platform. Dene Bar. The tower (120 ft high) contains a clock which adorned the Crystal Palace during the 1851 exhibition. Lewis Cubitt boasted that a good station could be built at King's Cross for less than the cost of the ornamental arch, or more correctly 'propylaeum', which until recently dominated the entrance to Euston Station. Cubitt constructed two spans, originally with wooden beams, each 105 feet wide. It has been suggested that he based his designs broadly on the Tsar's Riding Stables, then just completed in Moscow. Cubitt separated the spans by a clock tower 112 feet high. Completing the ensemble are the offices to the left of the facade, and the cab drive to the right.
Kings Cross and St.Pancras Underground Station. 10th January 1863 Between Euston Square and Farringdon Street on the Metropolitan,
Circle and Hammersmith and City Lines. Between Euston and Angel on the Northern
Line. Between Russell Square and Caledonian Road on the Piccadilly Line.
Between Euston and Highbury and Islington on the Victoria Line. Metropolitan
Railway opened the original station and was joined in 1906 by the Great
Northern (Piccadilly Line) and in 1907 by the City and South London Railway
(Northern). The Northern Line Station was designed by Leslie Green and was
sited near the forecourt of the main line station. Electric lights all through
and electric lifts from the start. In 1927 the Name was changed to ‘Kings Cross
for St.Pancras’ and in 1939 a new circular ticket hall was opened under the
main line forecourt. The old Metropolitan Line bay platforms were made into
wider passenger concourse in 1963 and the Green building was demolished. In
1969 the Victoria Line was added. One lift entrance portal survives from the
Green building. Features in films 'High Hopes’.
Great Northern Hotel. Curved yellow stock building 1852-54, was built on the line of the old Pancras Road. In 1860, the area in front the hotel was then laid out as a formal garden. The hotel side of King's Cross was originally the main entrance. Not in any way architecturally outstanding, is entirely separate and in no way disfigures the eminently functional simplicity of the frontage, years ahead of its time when the station opened in October 1852
Goods Station Site
The former Great Northern Goods Yard site, roughly rectangular in shape and bounded in the west by the Regent's Canal and the Midland main line tracks, in the east by York Way, in the south once again by the Regent's Canal and in the north by the embankment of the North London line. The Goods Yard area has been reduced slightly from its original size by the effect of the new CTRL tracks that emerge from tunnels at the north-east corner of the site, cross the East Coast Main Line (ECML) on a viaduct, and curve round an embankment to terminate in the extended St Pancras International station. Two new tracks that will form part of the extended Thames- link network also tunnel under the yard to join the ECML. The total area of the Goods Yard area comprises 64.5 acres with total plot coverage of about 58 acres. The bulk of the total site is within the London Borough of Camden but York Way forms the boundary with the Borough of Islington and so the small area in the north-east corner, known as the Islington Triangle, comes within Islington. The Great Northern yard at Kings Cross was probably the largest of its kind when it opened in 1850 and it included a temporary passenger station. The architect responsible for the buildings on the site was Lewis Cubitt, nephew of William Cubitt the consulting engineer to the Great Northern. Into the yard came coal from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and even, challenging the traditional coastal collier trade, from the North-East to supply London's burgeoning demand for domestic fuel and industrial energy. Fish from Hull and Grimsby, potatoes and cereals from Lincolnshire and the Vale of York and a host of other produce and commodities flowed down the East Coast line into Kings Cross. Further north were engine and carriage servicing and repair sheds and an expanse of sidings for various traffics and purposes, all now long gone. Constant change to the layout of the site and its buildings took place over the years as traffic grew and changed in nature and the history of the yard needs a book of its own to do it justice.
King's Cross Goods Station. Laid out in 1853 with the intention of GLC cattle docks on the up side. Coal trains 1851 with direct sales to the public. Then stopped. The largest goods station in the nineteenth century. All built in one period with maturity of planning by Lewis Cubitt. A revolutionary scale of interchange. (SNR), 1851-2 Site of Hydraulic Pumping Station
Main Goods Office. Terminus for E/NE England and Scotland. Unloaded in covered goods depot behind the station. 580 ft x 350 ft walls 25 ft high in one storey. Arcades typical of Cubitt
Roof of train assembly shed. Offices on w. side carry unique iron trussed roof. Part of 1850 roof put present place in 1890. Rafters are wrought iron bars sandwiching timber. Development can be traced through other work by Cubitt
Granary. Great Northern Railway. An impressive stock brick granary by Lewis Cubitt in 1851. Two channels beneath it communicating with a basin. View of goods shed. Tallest is 1851 granary. Station House. The central portion with openings for sack hoists. Built for the storage and transhipment of grain brought by rail from the Midlands and Lincolnshire to the now infilled canal basin in front. Arms of the canal projected into the body of the Granary goods sheds. Most notable of Lewis Cubitt's original buildings. Six-storey warehouse.
Granite sett roadways
Regeneration House that housed the main Goods Yard offices, 3-storey stock brick office building, 1851.
Midland Goods shed. Cast iron arcades. Before St. Pancras was built, the Midland Railway uneasily shared facilities with the Great Northern Railway, and this building became a goods shed when the Midland Railway moved out., as the temporary passenger station with its two 'Handy- side' canopies covering adjacent roads,
Hydraulic accumulator in the centre of site west of the granary building. 1979 two capstones left; tower
Basins. Two basins at the southern end of the yard enabled coal, stone and other goods to be transhipped direct to the Regent's Canal. Lines across the canal were later added to supply the Imperial Gas Company's retort house and coal drops on Cambridge Street
Fish offices. Curving block 1852.
Coal drops – long covered viaducts with impressive row of offices
Dock
Eastern coal drops. Converted to Bagley's Bottling Warehouse. Bottles brought from Castleford or Pontefract by Great Northern Railway. Used as a coal drop (cast iron columns, bricked roundels) to the original structure now fire-damaged visible through the fence. The coal drops were covered. Full trains were worked on one of 4 lines into the top level. Coal was emptied into hoppers in the middle level and bagged and carted away from the bottom
Goods shed. Great Northern Railway goods sheds. One for arrivals, one departures, enclosing a marshalling area between, which was later roofed.
Goods office. 1856. On each side of the granary are concealed two 580' long brick walled, blank arched
Locomotive supers office
Long shed concrete depot
Midland Goods shed
Office building behind goods office
Plimsoll viaduct
Rogers carton warehouse
Shunters' huts
Steel road viaducts
Transit sheds flanking the granary
Two brick shafts
Viaduct
Wagon turntable
Water softening plant
Western goods station. 1897-9, built on the site of the Western Dock, 1851, for coal and stone, the entrance to which is crossed by an iron bridge. A surviving later addition quite different in construction and detail to the earlier buildings
Western coal drops, 1858, converted to a goods shed, 1897
King’s Cross itself was a statue of George IV – used for exhibitions. Erected 1830-36. The statue survived until 1842 and the base which had functioned as a beer-shop and police station, until c1845
Great Northern Hotel. Curved yellow stock building 1852-54, was built on the line of the old Pancras Road. In 1860, the area in front the hotel was then laid out as a formal garden. The hotel side of King's Cross was originally the main entrance. Not in any way architecturally outstanding, is entirely separate and in no way disfigures the eminently functional simplicity of the frontage, years ahead of its time when the station opened in October 1852
Goods Station Site
The former Great Northern Goods Yard site, roughly rectangular in shape and bounded in the west by the Regent's Canal and the Midland main line tracks, in the east by York Way, in the south once again by the Regent's Canal and in the north by the embankment of the North London line. The Goods Yard area has been reduced slightly from its original size by the effect of the new CTRL tracks that emerge from tunnels at the north-east corner of the site, cross the East Coast Main Line (ECML) on a viaduct, and curve round an embankment to terminate in the extended St Pancras International station. Two new tracks that will form part of the extended Thames- link network also tunnel under the yard to join the ECML. The total area of the Goods Yard area comprises 64.5 acres with total plot coverage of about 58 acres. The bulk of the total site is within the London Borough of Camden but York Way forms the boundary with the Borough of Islington and so the small area in the north-east corner, known as the Islington Triangle, comes within Islington. The Great Northern yard at Kings Cross was probably the largest of its kind when it opened in 1850 and it included a temporary passenger station. The architect responsible for the buildings on the site was Lewis Cubitt, nephew of William Cubitt the consulting engineer to the Great Northern. Into the yard came coal from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and even, challenging the traditional coastal collier trade, from the North-East to supply London's burgeoning demand for domestic fuel and industrial energy. Fish from Hull and Grimsby, potatoes and cereals from Lincolnshire and the Vale of York and a host of other produce and commodities flowed down the East Coast line into Kings Cross. Further north were engine and carriage servicing and repair sheds and an expanse of sidings for various traffics and purposes, all now long gone. Constant change to the layout of the site and its buildings took place over the years as traffic grew and changed in nature and the history of the yard needs a book of its own to do it justice.
King's Cross Goods Station. Laid out in 1853 with the intention of GLC cattle docks on the up side. Coal trains 1851 with direct sales to the public. Then stopped. The largest goods station in the nineteenth century. All built in one period with maturity of planning by Lewis Cubitt. A revolutionary scale of interchange. (SNR), 1851-2 Site of Hydraulic Pumping Station
Main Goods Office. Terminus for E/NE England and Scotland. Unloaded in covered goods depot behind the station. 580 ft x 350 ft walls 25 ft high in one storey. Arcades typical of Cubitt
Roof of train assembly shed. Offices on w. side carry unique iron trussed roof. Part of 1850 roof put present place in 1890. Rafters are wrought iron bars sandwiching timber. Development can be traced through other work by Cubitt
Granary. Great Northern Railway. An impressive stock brick granary by Lewis Cubitt in 1851. Two channels beneath it communicating with a basin. View of goods shed. Tallest is 1851 granary. Station House. The central portion with openings for sack hoists. Built for the storage and transhipment of grain brought by rail from the Midlands and Lincolnshire to the now infilled canal basin in front. Arms of the canal projected into the body of the Granary goods sheds. Most notable of Lewis Cubitt's original buildings. Six-storey warehouse.
Granite sett roadways
Regeneration House that housed the main Goods Yard offices, 3-storey stock brick office building, 1851.
Midland Goods shed. Cast iron arcades. Before St. Pancras was built, the Midland Railway uneasily shared facilities with the Great Northern Railway, and this building became a goods shed when the Midland Railway moved out., as the temporary passenger station with its two 'Handy- side' canopies covering adjacent roads,
Hydraulic accumulator in the centre of site west of the granary building. 1979 two capstones left; tower
Basins. Two basins at the southern end of the yard enabled coal, stone and other goods to be transhipped direct to the Regent's Canal. Lines across the canal were later added to supply the Imperial Gas Company's retort house and coal drops on Cambridge Street
Fish offices. Curving block 1852.
Coal drops – long covered viaducts with impressive row of offices
Dock
Eastern coal drops. Converted to Bagley's Bottling Warehouse. Bottles brought from Castleford or Pontefract by Great Northern Railway. Used as a coal drop (cast iron columns, bricked roundels) to the original structure now fire-damaged visible through the fence. The coal drops were covered. Full trains were worked on one of 4 lines into the top level. Coal was emptied into hoppers in the middle level and bagged and carted away from the bottom
Goods shed. Great Northern Railway goods sheds. One for arrivals, one departures, enclosing a marshalling area between, which was later roofed.
Goods office. 1856. On each side of the granary are concealed two 580' long brick walled, blank arched
Locomotive supers office
Long shed concrete depot
Midland Goods shed
Office building behind goods office
Plimsoll viaduct
Rogers carton warehouse
Shunters' huts
Steel road viaducts
Transit sheds flanking the granary
Two brick shafts
Viaduct
Wagon turntable
Water softening plant
Western goods station. 1897-9, built on the site of the Western Dock, 1851, for coal and stone, the entrance to which is crossed by an iron bridge. A surviving later addition quite different in construction and detail to the earlier buildings
Western coal drops, 1858, converted to a goods shed, 1897
King’s Cross itself was a statue of George IV – used for exhibitions. Erected 1830-36. The statue survived until 1842 and the base which had functioned as a beer-shop and police station, until c1845
Lavina Grove
Matilda Street
Thornhill's wife's middle name. Was Richmond Street
3 home of Williams, who built Thornhill Square
Thornhill's wife's middle name. Was Richmond Street
3 home of Williams, who built Thornhill Square
Maygood Street
Half Moon Crescent Housing Co-operative.
Half Moon Crescent Housing Co-operative.
Muriel Street,
Called after Thornhill child
Called after Thornhill child
New Wharf Road
Along the side of Battlebridge basin has a mixture of new build and convened warehouses.
12/13 Gatti a three storey building (c1870) with a central arch was occupied by Carlo Gatti (subsequently United Carlo Gatti Stevenson and Slater Ltd.), ice merchant, until the late 1920s. Gatti stored ice here in several canal side wells, 60ft deep; '/4 million tons per year was imported from Norway, being transhipped at Regent's Canal Dock, Limehouse.
Ozonal Laboratories 1930 next door, manufactured disinfectants, germicides, detergents, insecticides and telephone sterilising equipment. They left in the early 1980s.
5 Gatti’s Wharf a conversion
10 Marina One. 1996. Faced with pale yellow brick, with elegant curved end to the water; by Munkenbeck & Marshall,
14 Marina Two similar to Marina One, by the same firm, 1998.
20 1940s factory concrete with long lines of windows
Ice Wharf. Converted 1920s factory and new-build flats and offices
Pavilion. New build 1994-7 by Chassay Wright Architects.
Along the side of Battlebridge basin has a mixture of new build and convened warehouses.
12/13 Gatti a three storey building (c1870) with a central arch was occupied by Carlo Gatti (subsequently United Carlo Gatti Stevenson and Slater Ltd.), ice merchant, until the late 1920s. Gatti stored ice here in several canal side wells, 60ft deep; '/4 million tons per year was imported from Norway, being transhipped at Regent's Canal Dock, Limehouse.
Ozonal Laboratories 1930 next door, manufactured disinfectants, germicides, detergents, insecticides and telephone sterilising equipment. They left in the early 1980s.
5 Gatti’s Wharf a conversion
10 Marina One. 1996. Faced with pale yellow brick, with elegant curved end to the water; by Munkenbeck & Marshall,
14 Marina Two similar to Marina One, by the same firm, 1998.
20 1940s factory concrete with long lines of windows
Ice Wharf. Converted 1920s factory and new-build flats and offices
Pavilion. New build 1994-7 by Chassay Wright Architects.
Northdown Street
Pollard House. Model dwellings for the East End Dwellings Company 1895 red and yellow brick,
Pollard House. Model dwellings for the East End Dwellings Company 1895 red and yellow brick,
Omega Place
Outram Street,
'Dreadful slum'. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
'Dreadful slum'. One wonders how India and her great generals came to be commemorated by such squalid surroundings. This is London in its most forbidding aspect, for whereas the East End is picturesque and varied, the King's Cross district of North London is without any open spaces or redeeming features
Pancras Road
26 German Gymnasium. 1865 by German Gymnasium Society, called the ‘Turnhalle’. It is in a heavy mid-19th century German style, designed by E.A. Gruning with an unusual roof and Built in imitation of such institutions in Germany. Laminated timber arches supporting iron spandrels span the breadth of the hall, a construction used also for the original roofs of King's Cross. Cast-iron piers with foliate capitals. Grade II listed building. It was built to enable German businessmen living in London to exercise although non-Germans were later admitted. May be the first purpose built gymnasium in Britain. It hosted the gymnastics in 1866 National Olympian Games.
26 German Gymnasium. 1865 by German Gymnasium Society, called the ‘Turnhalle’. It is in a heavy mid-19th century German style, designed by E.A. Gruning with an unusual roof and Built in imitation of such institutions in Germany. Laminated timber arches supporting iron spandrels span the breadth of the hall, a construction used also for the original roofs of King's Cross. Cast-iron piers with foliate capitals. Grade II listed building. It was built to enable German businessmen living in London to exercise although non-Germans were later admitted. May be the first purpose built gymnasium in Britain. It hosted the gymnastics in 1866 National Olympian Games.
Pentonville
Henry Penton's development was begun in the 1770s. Until it stood on its own, Penton's grid of streets remains, but much rebuilt in the c20
St.James Burial Ground
Scheme in 1844 for improved dwellings by the society for improving the condition of the labouring classes
Henry Penton's development was begun in the 1770s. Until it stood on its own, Penton's grid of streets remains, but much rebuilt in the c20
St.James Burial Ground
Scheme in 1844 for improved dwellings by the society for improving the condition of the labouring classes
Pentonville Road.
Land owned by Commandry Mandells and built by Penton, MP for Worcestershire, 1790s. Road was patrolled by escorts. The last new road to link western suburbs. Climbs the steep hill forming both the west side of the Barnsbury spur, running down from the Northern Heights, and the east side of the Fleet valley.
36 manufacturer of patent gadgets 1820
44a Crafts Council set back behind original railings, occupies former Claremont Chapel, built for Independents in 1818-19, probably by William Wallen. Thomas Wilson, benefactor to other Independent chapels, funded it. Well-proportioned three-bay front with projecting centre with pediment and Ionic porch with paired columns. Stuccoed c. 1860. The balustrading in front, echoing c19 alterations, dates from the conversion for the Crafts Council in 1991. Compactly planned with ground-floor gallery and shop, cafe, library and offices upstairs. They have patterned flooring by Jennie Moncur and curvaceous verdigris and glass door furniture by James Cox.
189 surviving jewellers shop,
154a, Grimaldi Park House, trim profile by Allies & Morrison, 1988-90, genteelly set within a little park fringed with tombstones. It is a successor to St James's Church, 1787-8 by Aaron Hurst, made redundant and demolished in 1981. A previous scheme, proposed by the Diocese as a concession to those who had hoped to save the church, was for offices in the form of a replica building. Allies & Morrison's solution is more ingenious. The pretty pedimented and pilastered front is treated as a quotation, separated by a small atrium from the brick-clad offices behind, whose massing reflects the form of the church but whose detail relates to its c20 function. St.James 1787, bright, Adamesque facade. Coade stone, altar painting
200 Kings Cross House. National Westminster Bank 1975/1982 overpowering. Sculpture and Tapestry. Two overpowering curtain-walled office blocks of identical design, 1975 and 1982, by Chapman Taylor & Partners. Outside, a taut steel and cable sculpture by William Pye, 1974; inside, a tapestry by Robert Wallace. Features in films 'Breaking Glass’.
272-276, 1900-1 by Wylson & Long, with a good pub interior. Terracotta-clad
275-277 Scala cinema, 1914, was King's Cross Bridge Picture Palace or King’s Cross Cinema opened 1920 later Gaumont. By H. Courtney Constantine, opened 1920 Completed in 1921, soon after wartime building restrictions were lifted, it seated 1800. This was one of the first large cinemas of the mass (silent) movie-going era in densely- populated parts of London. Reinforced concrete was used for its construction. . Grandiose classical; a comer dome, and paired Ionic columns to the upper floor, Closed down by showing Clockwork Orange.
Land owned by Commandry Mandells and built by Penton, MP for Worcestershire, 1790s. Road was patrolled by escorts. The last new road to link western suburbs. Climbs the steep hill forming both the west side of the Barnsbury spur, running down from the Northern Heights, and the east side of the Fleet valley.
36 manufacturer of patent gadgets 1820
44a Crafts Council set back behind original railings, occupies former Claremont Chapel, built for Independents in 1818-19, probably by William Wallen. Thomas Wilson, benefactor to other Independent chapels, funded it. Well-proportioned three-bay front with projecting centre with pediment and Ionic porch with paired columns. Stuccoed c. 1860. The balustrading in front, echoing c19 alterations, dates from the conversion for the Crafts Council in 1991. Compactly planned with ground-floor gallery and shop, cafe, library and offices upstairs. They have patterned flooring by Jennie Moncur and curvaceous verdigris and glass door furniture by James Cox.
189 surviving jewellers shop,
154a, Grimaldi Park House, trim profile by Allies & Morrison, 1988-90, genteelly set within a little park fringed with tombstones. It is a successor to St James's Church, 1787-8 by Aaron Hurst, made redundant and demolished in 1981. A previous scheme, proposed by the Diocese as a concession to those who had hoped to save the church, was for offices in the form of a replica building. Allies & Morrison's solution is more ingenious. The pretty pedimented and pilastered front is treated as a quotation, separated by a small atrium from the brick-clad offices behind, whose massing reflects the form of the church but whose detail relates to its c20 function. St.James 1787, bright, Adamesque facade. Coade stone, altar painting
200 Kings Cross House. National Westminster Bank 1975/1982 overpowering. Sculpture and Tapestry. Two overpowering curtain-walled office blocks of identical design, 1975 and 1982, by Chapman Taylor & Partners. Outside, a taut steel and cable sculpture by William Pye, 1974; inside, a tapestry by Robert Wallace. Features in films 'Breaking Glass’.
272-276, 1900-1 by Wylson & Long, with a good pub interior. Terracotta-clad
275-277 Scala cinema, 1914, was King's Cross Bridge Picture Palace or King’s Cross Cinema opened 1920 later Gaumont. By H. Courtney Constantine, opened 1920 Completed in 1921, soon after wartime building restrictions were lifted, it seated 1800. This was one of the first large cinemas of the mass (silent) movie-going era in densely- populated parts of London. Reinforced concrete was used for its construction. . Grandiose classical; a comer dome, and paired Ionic columns to the upper floor, Closed down by showing Clockwork Orange.
Convent chapel, 1820.
Congregational dissenters, rebuilt 1849/60
Cumming, 1807 a London Female Penitentiary between Cumming and Affleck streets, ex-Southampton, demolished
Penton Place First houses
Kings Cross Thameslink Station 10th January 1863 Between Kentish Town and Farringdon on Thameslink. 1863 Metropolitan Railway opened between Paddington (Bishops Bridge Road) and Farringdon. Entrance on the east side of Gray’s Inn Road. 1911 Building replaced on the corner of Pentonville Road and King’s Cross Bridge. 1925 Name changed to ‘Kings Cross and St.Pancras Metropolitan’. 1931 name changed to ‘Kings Cross, St.Pancras’. 1941 Circle Line platforms resited and moved but the station was still used by trains on routes to Moorgate. 1983 renamed ‘Kings Cross Midland City Line’. 1988 renamed ‘Kings Cross Thameslink’. The 1911 building on the corner of Pentonville Road is now in other use. Works in front and Temperance Hall, 1870. Steam trains of London North East Railway and London Midland and Scottish Railway to Moorgate. Went on using the widened lines at the old station.
Pulteney Terrace
The Bell, 1850s
Cumming, 1807 a London Female Penitentiary between Cumming and Affleck streets, ex-Southampton, demolished
Penton Place First houses
Kings Cross Thameslink Station 10th January 1863 Between Kentish Town and Farringdon on Thameslink. 1863 Metropolitan Railway opened between Paddington (Bishops Bridge Road) and Farringdon. Entrance on the east side of Gray’s Inn Road. 1911 Building replaced on the corner of Pentonville Road and King’s Cross Bridge. 1925 Name changed to ‘Kings Cross and St.Pancras Metropolitan’. 1931 name changed to ‘Kings Cross, St.Pancras’. 1941 Circle Line platforms resited and moved but the station was still used by trains on routes to Moorgate. 1983 renamed ‘Kings Cross Midland City Line’. 1988 renamed ‘Kings Cross Thameslink’. The 1911 building on the corner of Pentonville Road is now in other use. Works in front and Temperance Hall, 1870. Steam trains of London North East Railway and London Midland and Scottish Railway to Moorgate. Went on using the widened lines at the old station.
Pulteney Terrace
The Bell, 1850s
Railway Street:
Back of St.Pancras ironworks
Railways
Club in 1914
Back of St.Pancras ironworks
Railways
Club in 1914
Randells Road
18-26 Paget Memorial Hall. Bizarre. Queen Victoria's tea set. By Beresford Pite in the middle of a simple brick terrace. 1910 for Rev Sholto Douglas in memory of his wife, Violet Paget – who had bible classes there in a tenement. Missionaries’ flats above and a drill hall below. A simple red brick 1880s terrace with red and yellow brick banding and unexpected lunette windows back and front. ‘These light the mission hall, boldly carved out by Beresford Pite in 1910-11 for Rev. Sholto Douglas later Lord Blythswood, in memory of his wife. Violet Paget, who had held a bible class in this tenement in 1887-9, the room she used is of the mission hall, Leader's Room. Missionaries' flats above. Drill hall on the ground floor. The mission hall is startlingly lavish. Big Jacobethan roof trusses and late c17-style minister's platform, with a pediment bearing Blythswood's arms. Arcaded panelling with cartouches inscribed VP, probably designed by Travers, pupil of Pite; stencilled violets on the cornices. The continental and pagan-looking woodwork was brought from the music room of Lord Blythswood's home, Douglas Support, near Coatbridge. On the pulpit, torcheres representing Virtue and Vice, probably late c17 or early c18. Three elaborate fireplaces: with three figures above the pediment the centre one Christ, after Thorwaldsen, with an over mantel portrait of Violet Paget; with reused Jacobean carving. Organ on a gallery with Baroque twisted columns. Another c17 Baroque fireplace in the Leader's Room.
18-26 Paget Memorial Hall. Bizarre. Queen Victoria's tea set. By Beresford Pite in the middle of a simple brick terrace. 1910 for Rev Sholto Douglas in memory of his wife, Violet Paget – who had bible classes there in a tenement. Missionaries’ flats above and a drill hall below. A simple red brick 1880s terrace with red and yellow brick banding and unexpected lunette windows back and front. ‘These light the mission hall, boldly carved out by Beresford Pite in 1910-11 for Rev. Sholto Douglas later Lord Blythswood, in memory of his wife. Violet Paget, who had held a bible class in this tenement in 1887-9, the room she used is of the mission hall, Leader's Room. Missionaries' flats above. Drill hall on the ground floor. The mission hall is startlingly lavish. Big Jacobethan roof trusses and late c17-style minister's platform, with a pediment bearing Blythswood's arms. Arcaded panelling with cartouches inscribed VP, probably designed by Travers, pupil of Pite; stencilled violets on the cornices. The continental and pagan-looking woodwork was brought from the music room of Lord Blythswood's home, Douglas Support, near Coatbridge. On the pulpit, torcheres representing Virtue and Vice, probably late c17 or early c18. Three elaborate fireplaces: with three figures above the pediment the centre one Christ, after Thorwaldsen, with an over mantel portrait of Violet Paget; with reused Jacobean carving. Organ on a gallery with Baroque twisted columns. Another c17 Baroque fireplace in the Leader's Room.
Richmond Avenue,
Most of this well-preserved estate is mostly of the 1840s; it was entirely built up by 1852.
76-86 Gainford Terrace 1829. Building of the Thornhill Estate made a very slow start based on the estate street plan. Only a single terrace materialised - these six houses. The first part to be developed. Giant Ionic pilasters or the end houses and doorways with Greek Doric columns.
94 good shop front
Most of this well-preserved estate is mostly of the 1840s; it was entirely built up by 1852.
76-86 Gainford Terrace 1829. Building of the Thornhill Estate made a very slow start based on the estate street plan. Only a single terrace materialised - these six houses. The first part to be developed. Giant Ionic pilasters or the end houses and doorways with Greek Doric columns.
94 good shop front
Rodney Street,
Called after Thornhill child
13 James Mill, the Utilitarian philosopher, lived here 1805-10 where his son, John Stuart Mill, the economist, was born in 1806.
Called after Thornhill child
13 James Mill, the Utilitarian philosopher, lived here 1805-10 where his son, John Stuart Mill, the economist, was born in 1806.
Rufford Street
Belle Isle Cemetery Station
Belle Isle Cemetery Station
Shirley Street:
Called after Thornhill child
Called after Thornhill child
St.Pancras wash
Stanley Passage
Stanley Buildings Co. They stood Between Stanley & Clarence Passages, 1855. They are the earliest buildings of the Industrial Dwellings Company. An atmospheric group, much beloved by filmmakers. Some of the oldest surviving working- class flats in London. Five-storey blocks of 1864-5 by Waterlow’s Industrial Dwellings Company, on the usual plan derived by Waterlow and his builder. Built by Matthew Allen, from Henry Roberts’s model dwellings of 1851, with cast-iron access balconies served by an open central staircase. A Victorian solution to the accommodation crisis. Demolished
Stanley Buildings Co. They stood Between Stanley & Clarence Passages, 1855. They are the earliest buildings of the Industrial Dwellings Company. An atmospheric group, much beloved by filmmakers. Some of the oldest surviving working- class flats in London. Five-storey blocks of 1864-5 by Waterlow’s Industrial Dwellings Company, on the usual plan derived by Waterlow and his builder. Built by Matthew Allen, from Henry Roberts’s model dwellings of 1851, with cast-iron access balconies served by an open central staircase. A Victorian solution to the accommodation crisis. Demolished
Treaty Street
Blessed Sacrament RC School. Big chimney. 1886-7. Asymmetrical, with an ogee-capped tower balanced a gabled bay and big chimney.
York Way Court
Blessed Sacrament RC School. Big chimney. 1886-7. Asymmetrical, with an ogee-capped tower balanced a gabled bay and big chimney.
York Way Court
Twyford Street
Was previously Richmond Street
Was previously Richmond Street
Wellers Court
Warehouse of the same name
Warehouse of the same name
Wharf Road
Wharf road marks the boundary between Islington and Hackney, but only as far as the middle of the canal.
Office
Wharf road marks the boundary between Islington and Hackney, but only as far as the middle of the canal.
Office
Wharfdale Road
Tunnel, ventilator for 1874 bore
Potato Market. Site of 1850 passenger station which later became the Potato Market. Elements of which can be seen in the iron arcading of the curved glass roof. Opposite is a chimney-like structure, a tunnel ventilator for the 1874-7 bore. elements of the passenger station can be seen in the iron arcading of the curved glass roof. In 1921 throughput reached a peak of 124,000 tons of produce that included some other staple vegetables such as turnips, cabbage, celery and peas
London Canal Museum
Tunnel, ventilator for 1874 bore
Potato Market. Site of 1850 passenger station which later became the Potato Market. Elements of which can be seen in the iron arcading of the curved glass roof. Opposite is a chimney-like structure, a tunnel ventilator for the 1874-7 bore. elements of the passenger station can be seen in the iron arcading of the curved glass roof. In 1921 throughput reached a peak of 124,000 tons of produce that included some other staple vegetables such as turnips, cabbage, celery and peas
London Canal Museum
Prince Albert
General Picton
John Dickinson and Co. Ltd. extensive warehouse and office block. Established at Walbrook in the City in 1806. Here from its construction in 1930/1 to the early 1970s. This paper manufacturer also had factories by the Grand Union Canal at King’s Langley, Apsley and Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. More recently, Heal's (furniture makers) used it as a warehouse.
General Picton
John Dickinson and Co. Ltd. extensive warehouse and office block. Established at Walbrook in the City in 1806. Here from its construction in 1930/1 to the early 1970s. This paper manufacturer also had factories by the Grand Union Canal at King’s Langley, Apsley and Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. More recently, Heal's (furniture makers) used it as a warehouse.
Wynford Road:
Wynford Road Estate Housing – good modern architecture by Westwood Piet Poole & Smart for the GLC, 1973-5. Three brown brick blocks linked by a pedestrian deck over car-parking, squeezed onto a tiny site next to a large secondary school
Wynford Road Estate Housing – good modern architecture by Westwood Piet Poole & Smart for the GLC, 1973-5. Three brown brick blocks linked by a pedestrian deck over car-parking, squeezed onto a tiny site next to a large secondary school
York Way,
York Way, formerly Maiden Lane, an ancient route between the parishes of Islington and St Pancras Boundary between St.Pancras and Cantelowes, remains the division between the modern boroughs of Camden and Islington. Tudor route to the North, which went west of St Pancras Church then down Maiden Lane. Renamed York Way in 1851. Previously called 'Longwich Lane’ and later 'Maiden Lane' from the 'middens' or 'muddy lane', also called Black Dog Lane or Brecknock Road. Until 1938 York Road.
The boundary between St. Mary. Islington and St. Pancras the Martyr parishes runs along York Way. Their markers can he seen: a stone in the station wall and a cast iron shield high on the wall opposite. A few paces along York Way iron bollards, carrying St. Pancras' initials, prevent vehicles mounting the pavement.
Cobbled roadway which once continued as a bridge across the railway. Leads to the road provided for cabs to reach the one time 'arrival' platform of King's Cross station (1852). Access to York Road station (1866-1977), served by trains to Moorgate.
Site of the Battle Bridge road bridge, removed in the 1920s when Goodsway was extended. The north ramp leads to the site of York Road Station.
2 classical renaissance corner site Times or King's Cross Steam Laundry
Replaced by a substation
10 Bravington's clock factory
Bravington's Block, from the name of the jewellers formerly at the corner with Pentonville Road junction
14 Model Railway Co.
20-22. this is the former Times or King's Cross Steam Laundry. It was built in 1901 to replace smaller premises elsewhere, at a time when crowded living conditions and frequent smogs made domestic laundering difficult. It served some 20 shops; the site of one at the laundry itself is occupied by a small sub-station. Wedgewood
24 Duke of York. 1840s carries present and former street name plates.
30 workhouse style frontage. Erected in 1868 as the Islington & North London Shoe Black Brigade refuge and home; London had several such organisations. They moved in the 1890s, to be replaced by a canning works and then from 1920 by a motor garage/workshops. This latter change reflected the motoring boom after World War I – numbers of cars in the UK rose from 119.000 in 1919 to over 2 million in 1939.
Garage on site of 1918 stables Set back.
32 Albion Tin works offices 1866 - copper and brass foundry. The Easternmost building has a wall crane. Truncated 80ft chimney for boiler and steam engine. Brick and stone gable end of the foundry building. This was erected for Pontifex & Sons, who specialised in manufacturing non-ferrous apparatus for brewers, distillers, dye works, etc. The site was taken over in 1885 by the Self-Opening Tin Box Company, in turn succeeded by Shanks & Co., sanitary appliance manufacturers, who used it as a warehouse. It, too, became a garage in 1927. Note the cast-iron post, once part of the foundry's gateway, close to the contemporary handsome office block facing York Way.
34 classical was built in the 1890s for Davis & Timmins Ltd., a then rapidly expanding firm that had patented screw production by machine instead of by hand. The chimney at the far end was for a boiler and steam engine to power equipment. Since the mid-1930s it has been used by a manufacturer of confectionary machinery.
34b heavily ornamented erected as the main entrance to Albion Mills/Works behind. They produced washing blue and black lead from 1832 until c1910. Stephenson & Mager.
36-40 an imposing twin pedimented facade with a large central arch. Built in the 1890s for W.B. Fordham. Emery and glass paper manufacturers, this became the headquarters of Meakers menswear retailers, from the mid 1930s until 1977. Part of St. Pancras Ironworks, suppliers of stairs, balconies, stable fittings, occupied the site from c1855 to 1872. The earlier building behind, seen by looking along Railway Street, was built as part of these works in 1866.
52 Lincoln Arms
57-63 carries the date of rebuilding, 1901, by J. W. & T. Connolly. The firm started in the 1860s at the adjacent No. 65 blacksmiths. By the 1890s it advertised iron tyres for wooden C-wheels; the busy nearby stables, commercial and wharfage would have provided a heavy demand. The rebuilding appears to follow a profitable expansion into supplying and fitting solid rubber tyres. For a time the warehouse opposite, on the corner of Crinan Street, was also used. Connolly departed in 1931.
65 Connolly original works.
British Legion poppy warehouse adjacent building to 68, mainly 1930s, with a 1960s three floor red brick front. Poppy warehouse until the early 1970s.
Beyond 68 brick wall with small windows remnant of stable for Young Bros.
82 Jahn Belting Co.
Albion Yard buildings. 1840s industrial
230 Robert Garner, manure and super phosphate
Belle Isle Works. Tito Guiusti stainless steel plant. Built an aeroplane in 1910
Belle Isle, Kingham and Jenson and Nicholson Vanish Works 008
Brecknock Arms
Butchers Arms
Circular brick ventilation shafts for the railway tunnel
Duke of York
Ecology Centre was Lacre Motors 1911-1930s
Engineers cottage
Gasworks tunnel. The builders had trouble going under canal so the tunnel rises and then dips to the canal. This means that floods are possible, as in 1911. The railway was built to take in the goods yard, opened 1852, and connected to the rail yard.
Grangefield
King's Cross Station 1850-1852 original
Maiden Lane NCR cattle terminal 1854. First freightliner terminal 1965. Site of Matilda Road
Maiden Lane station. August 7th 1850. Built by the Great Northern Railway. Temporary terminus at King’s Cross sited in York Way. Wooden platforms. It was later used as a potato market. The roof is still probably the original as is the former carriage shed behind which became the Midland Goods Shed.
Maiden Lane Bridge over the canal carries York Way. Go underneath it to see how it has been widened. The lengthy towing rope from a horse - or post-war a tractor - which had already passed under the bridge would rub against the abutment - look for the abrasion marks. It is wider than the original 1820 iron structure. Note the decorative cast iron parapet, 1850, on the eastern side. Stop Gates Under the bridge.
Maiden Lane Station. 1st July 1887. Built by the North London Railway. Large building on the west side of York Way north of the North London lines bridge. In 1917 it was closed as a war measure. Some remains for a long time, all gone now.
NI viaduct over GN collapse 1850 1866-1977
Steps from canal up by pumping station
Warehouse 1903 for bottled beer merchants Robert Porter
York Road Curve passed under York Way behind, curved under the Duke of York public house, 1840, and joined the City Widened Lines, the Metropolitan Line to Moorgate.
Kings Cross York Road Station 1st June 1866. Great Northern Railway. Basically a platform serving trains coming up from the Metropolitan Station in Pentonville Road (Kings Cross Thameslink) and going to Moorgate. Entrance down Cobbled roadway which once continued as a bridge across the railway and which leads to the road provided for cabs to reach the one time 'arrival' platform of King's Cross station 1977 closed and demolished.
York Road station slope goes down to what was the entrance 1866-1977 was for connections from Farringdon & Moorgate, Platform can be seen over the wall
Turnpike
Floor cloth factory
Montpelier House, retired varnish makers home
King's Cross, 1830, plinth of George VI, traffic could by pass the City
Buckingham Place
Second bridge carried bridge to gas works
Vaux, Smith & Bell, Mustard & blue, 1810
Randell Terrace named after Randell & Evans Tile kilns
York Road Board School
York Road Station. 15th December 1906. Opened on the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway. 1932 Closed. York Road Station is still clearly recognizable as one of Leslie Green's tiled stations of c. 1906 for the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Line. Underground station entrance. Used by a print company, Victor Printing. Few original features left.
York Way, formerly Maiden Lane, an ancient route between the parishes of Islington and St Pancras Boundary between St.Pancras and Cantelowes, remains the division between the modern boroughs of Camden and Islington. Tudor route to the North, which went west of St Pancras Church then down Maiden Lane. Renamed York Way in 1851. Previously called 'Longwich Lane’ and later 'Maiden Lane' from the 'middens' or 'muddy lane', also called Black Dog Lane or Brecknock Road. Until 1938 York Road.
The boundary between St. Mary. Islington and St. Pancras the Martyr parishes runs along York Way. Their markers can he seen: a stone in the station wall and a cast iron shield high on the wall opposite. A few paces along York Way iron bollards, carrying St. Pancras' initials, prevent vehicles mounting the pavement.
Cobbled roadway which once continued as a bridge across the railway. Leads to the road provided for cabs to reach the one time 'arrival' platform of King's Cross station (1852). Access to York Road station (1866-1977), served by trains to Moorgate.
Site of the Battle Bridge road bridge, removed in the 1920s when Goodsway was extended. The north ramp leads to the site of York Road Station.
2 classical renaissance corner site Times or King's Cross Steam Laundry
Replaced by a substation
10 Bravington's clock factory
Bravington's Block, from the name of the jewellers formerly at the corner with Pentonville Road junction
14 Model Railway Co.
20-22. this is the former Times or King's Cross Steam Laundry. It was built in 1901 to replace smaller premises elsewhere, at a time when crowded living conditions and frequent smogs made domestic laundering difficult. It served some 20 shops; the site of one at the laundry itself is occupied by a small sub-station. Wedgewood
24 Duke of York. 1840s carries present and former street name plates.
30 workhouse style frontage. Erected in 1868 as the Islington & North London Shoe Black Brigade refuge and home; London had several such organisations. They moved in the 1890s, to be replaced by a canning works and then from 1920 by a motor garage/workshops. This latter change reflected the motoring boom after World War I – numbers of cars in the UK rose from 119.000 in 1919 to over 2 million in 1939.
Garage on site of 1918 stables Set back.
32 Albion Tin works offices 1866 - copper and brass foundry. The Easternmost building has a wall crane. Truncated 80ft chimney for boiler and steam engine. Brick and stone gable end of the foundry building. This was erected for Pontifex & Sons, who specialised in manufacturing non-ferrous apparatus for brewers, distillers, dye works, etc. The site was taken over in 1885 by the Self-Opening Tin Box Company, in turn succeeded by Shanks & Co., sanitary appliance manufacturers, who used it as a warehouse. It, too, became a garage in 1927. Note the cast-iron post, once part of the foundry's gateway, close to the contemporary handsome office block facing York Way.
34 classical was built in the 1890s for Davis & Timmins Ltd., a then rapidly expanding firm that had patented screw production by machine instead of by hand. The chimney at the far end was for a boiler and steam engine to power equipment. Since the mid-1930s it has been used by a manufacturer of confectionary machinery.
34b heavily ornamented erected as the main entrance to Albion Mills/Works behind. They produced washing blue and black lead from 1832 until c1910. Stephenson & Mager.
36-40 an imposing twin pedimented facade with a large central arch. Built in the 1890s for W.B. Fordham. Emery and glass paper manufacturers, this became the headquarters of Meakers menswear retailers, from the mid 1930s until 1977. Part of St. Pancras Ironworks, suppliers of stairs, balconies, stable fittings, occupied the site from c1855 to 1872. The earlier building behind, seen by looking along Railway Street, was built as part of these works in 1866.
52 Lincoln Arms
57-63 carries the date of rebuilding, 1901, by J. W. & T. Connolly. The firm started in the 1860s at the adjacent No. 65 blacksmiths. By the 1890s it advertised iron tyres for wooden C-wheels; the busy nearby stables, commercial and wharfage would have provided a heavy demand. The rebuilding appears to follow a profitable expansion into supplying and fitting solid rubber tyres. For a time the warehouse opposite, on the corner of Crinan Street, was also used. Connolly departed in 1931.
65 Connolly original works.
British Legion poppy warehouse adjacent building to 68, mainly 1930s, with a 1960s three floor red brick front. Poppy warehouse until the early 1970s.
Beyond 68 brick wall with small windows remnant of stable for Young Bros.
82 Jahn Belting Co.
Albion Yard buildings. 1840s industrial
230 Robert Garner, manure and super phosphate
Belle Isle Works. Tito Guiusti stainless steel plant. Built an aeroplane in 1910
Belle Isle, Kingham and Jenson and Nicholson Vanish Works 008
Brecknock Arms
Butchers Arms
Circular brick ventilation shafts for the railway tunnel
Duke of York
Ecology Centre was Lacre Motors 1911-1930s
Engineers cottage
Gasworks tunnel. The builders had trouble going under canal so the tunnel rises and then dips to the canal. This means that floods are possible, as in 1911. The railway was built to take in the goods yard, opened 1852, and connected to the rail yard.
Grangefield
King's Cross Station 1850-1852 original
Maiden Lane NCR cattle terminal 1854. First freightliner terminal 1965. Site of Matilda Road
Maiden Lane station. August 7th 1850. Built by the Great Northern Railway. Temporary terminus at King’s Cross sited in York Way. Wooden platforms. It was later used as a potato market. The roof is still probably the original as is the former carriage shed behind which became the Midland Goods Shed.
Maiden Lane Bridge over the canal carries York Way. Go underneath it to see how it has been widened. The lengthy towing rope from a horse - or post-war a tractor - which had already passed under the bridge would rub against the abutment - look for the abrasion marks. It is wider than the original 1820 iron structure. Note the decorative cast iron parapet, 1850, on the eastern side. Stop Gates Under the bridge.
Maiden Lane Station. 1st July 1887. Built by the North London Railway. Large building on the west side of York Way north of the North London lines bridge. In 1917 it was closed as a war measure. Some remains for a long time, all gone now.
NI viaduct over GN collapse 1850 1866-1977
Steps from canal up by pumping station
Warehouse 1903 for bottled beer merchants Robert Porter
York Road Curve passed under York Way behind, curved under the Duke of York public house, 1840, and joined the City Widened Lines, the Metropolitan Line to Moorgate.
Kings Cross York Road Station 1st June 1866. Great Northern Railway. Basically a platform serving trains coming up from the Metropolitan Station in Pentonville Road (Kings Cross Thameslink) and going to Moorgate. Entrance down Cobbled roadway which once continued as a bridge across the railway and which leads to the road provided for cabs to reach the one time 'arrival' platform of King's Cross station 1977 closed and demolished.
York Road station slope goes down to what was the entrance 1866-1977 was for connections from Farringdon & Moorgate, Platform can be seen over the wall
Turnpike
Floor cloth factory
Montpelier House, retired varnish makers home
King's Cross, 1830, plinth of George VI, traffic could by pass the City
Buckingham Place
Second bridge carried bridge to gas works
Vaux, Smith & Bell, Mustard & blue, 1810
Randell Terrace named after Randell & Evans Tile kilns
York Road Board School
York Road Station. 15th December 1906. Opened on the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway. 1932 Closed. York Road Station is still clearly recognizable as one of Leslie Green's tiled stations of c. 1906 for the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Line. Underground station entrance. Used by a print company, Victor Printing. Few original features left.
Comments