Thanks to the mild weather, I started my 2016 Urban Wandering much earlier than expected. The weather was kind enough at lunchtime today to allow me to get out and about. My drift today took me from Hammersmith up towards Shepherd’s Bush and Latimer Road, the latter of which I have never explored before. En route I passed a building on Woodstock Grove, to the west of the London Overground railway line between Olympia and Shepherd’s Bush. I’ve seen the building and its chimney a few times before but never really stopped to take a look as I’m guessing it must have been largely obscured by trees in leaf. However with the trees more or less bare of leaves I managed a better look, although still slightly distant as it was across the railway tracks. What I particularly noticed was that there were sections of blue paint on the brickwork between each floor. As it would seem very unlikely that they were an original feature, my assumption was that it had been used to cover up some previous signage, most likely some sort of name or advert. As I walked past the building and looked back towards it, I was afforded a glimpse of the side of the building, which confirmed by suspicions and revealed a section of white painted brickwork, with some black lettering still just about visible. I carried out a few cursory internet searches but could not find out any history of the road or its buildings, other than that it now seems to house a few film studios. I have a vague recollection of trying to access this road from the other side but seem to remember it was private – worth another look though now I think.
The ghost sign is just visible behind the trees. Not sure how I could get a closer look as the railway tracks are in between.
Heading towards Ladbroke Grove the whole area opened up a little, and although I had wandered there before, I had not really seen this side of it and it was good to connect the dots between my wander today and places I’d visited previously, and certainly not for the first time has provided me with another place to visit again.
Old house, Norland Road, London
Old house, Norland Road, London
There's something about wooden garage doors. I can't put my finger on what it is but I'm hard pushed not to take a photo, or two, each time I see some.
Wooden garage doors, Quensdale Road, London W11
St. James' Gardens, London W11
Following that pleasant enough diversion, I made my way to my destination. I had only ever really seen the Latimer Road area from the Hammersmith and City tube before, and that view only really shows off high rise flats and offices, and as you get nearer to Wood Lane, the Westfield shopping centre. I was quite surprised to find some remnants of earlier times, with a few small terraces and some old buildings like the People’s Hall, Barker and Co Coachbuilders, and the Bramley Arms, all now seemingly serving different purposes to their original intent.
Probably the one of most interest is The People's Hall, which has its relatively recent history made as part of Frestonia, which was the name adopted by the residents of Freston Road when they attempted to secede from the UK in 1977. It's also home to the recording studios where The Clash recorded their Combat Rock album, and Frestonia was the name of the final album by Aztec Camera.
The People's Hall, Freston Road, London W11
The People's Hall, Freston Road, London W11
The People's Hall, Freston Road, London W11
I almost this old sign as the building looked quite new from a distance but as I drew closer I could see it had been renovated.
BARKER & CO (COACHBUILDERS) LTD
Old sign for Barkers Coach Builders, London W11
It's always a shame when a pub is closed and becomes either offices or a residential property, especially one with a history like this. The Bramley Arms was used in the film Quadrophenia, The Lavender Hill Mob, and The Sweeney.
Former pub, the Bramley Arms, Notting Hill, London
Former pub, the Bramley Arms, Notting Hill, London
Finally on my first Urban Wander of 2016, I ended up at Latimer Road tube station on the Hammersmith and City line. There are plenty of elevated sections with similar arches but unfortunately I was running our of time so these will have to wait for another day.
Bridge carrying the Hammersmith and City line, near Latimer Road, London
Probably the one of most interest is The People's Hall, which has its relatively recent history made as part of Frestonia, which was the name adopted by the residents of Freston Road when they attempted to secede from the UK in 1977. It's also home to the recording studios where The Clash recorded their Combat Rock album, and Frestonia was the name of the final album by Aztec Camera.
I almost this old sign as the building looked quite new from a distance but as I drew closer I could see it had been renovated.
BARKER & CO (COACHBUILDERS) LTD
It's always a shame when a pub is closed and becomes either offices or a residential property, especially one with a history like this. The Bramley Arms was used in the film Quadrophenia, The Lavender Hill Mob, and The Sweeney.
Finally on my first Urban Wander of 2016, I ended up at Latimer Road tube station on the Hammersmith and City line. There are plenty of elevated sections with similar arches but unfortunately I was running our of time so these will have to wait for another day.
