Belsize Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 51°32′42″N 0°09′48″W / 51.5449°N 0.1632°W
| Belsize Park | |
  Belsize Park shown within Greater London |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| London borough | Camden |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | London |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | NW3 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| European Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | Hampstead and Highgate |
| London Assembly | Barnet and Camden |
| List of places: UK • England • London | |
Belsize Park is an area of north-west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.
It is located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) north-west of Charing Cross and situated on the Northern Line. It borders Hampstead to the north and west, Kentish Town and Gospel Oak to the east, Camden Town to the south east and Primrose Hill to the south.
The name is derived from French bel assis meaning 'well situated'. The Manor of Belsize dates back to 1317.[1]
Although not specifically named on the Geographers' London Atlas, the area has many thoroughfares bearing the name: Belsize Avenue, Belsize Court, Belsize Crescent, Belsize Gardens, Belsize Grove, Belsize Lane, Belsize Mews, Belsize Park (the road itself), Belsize Park Gardens, Belsize Place, Belsize Square, and Belsize Terrace. The name comes from the original 17th century manor house and parkland (built by Daniel O'Neill for his wife, the Countess of Chesterfield) which once stood on the site. The estate built up between 1852 and 1878, by which time it extended to Haverstock Hill. After World War I, the construction of blocks of flats began, and now a great many of the larger houses are also converted as such. The full history of the estate may be seen referred to below.
In World War II, one of the large underground air-raid shelters was built here and can be seen near the tube station at Downside Crescent. The area on Haverstock Hill north of Belsize Park underground station up to Hampstead Town Hall and including part of a primary school near the Royal Free Hospital was heavily bombed. When the area was re-built, the opportunity was taken to widen the pavement and re-build further back from the road.
It is a lively area and there are many restaurants, pubs and cafés along Haverstock Hill and also England's Lane. It is more spacious than Hampstead Village, with wider roads. Hampstead Heath is a 10–12 minutes' walk. Primrose Hill Park is 5 minutes' walk from England's Lane and provides some of the best views of Central London. Nearby in Chalk Farm is a famous piece of Banksy stencil graffiti. This isn’t the original version as this section of wall has been painted over several times only for the stencil to reappear. The stencil is apparently protected by Camden Council and the Roundhouse which is why it keeps on getting retouched and repaired.
The area is a haunt for celebrities, including the actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband Chris Martin of Coldplay, director Tim Burton and his domestic partner, actress Helena Bonham Carter, BBC Radio 1 DJ/Presenter Chris Moyles, model Kate Moss, actor Don Warrington, actor Jeremy Edwards and actor Sean Bean, who all live there.
Belsize Park is in the Hampstead and Highgate constituency for which the present MP is Glenda Jackson.
There is limited parking in Belsize Park; a residents' permit zone (CAB) operates weekdays 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm. Some pay and display for visitors is available.
There is a youth hostel located in Belsize Park Gardens.
Nearest stations:
- Belsize Park tube station (Northern Line)
- Camden Town tube station (Northern Line)
- Chalk Farm tube station (Northern Line)
- Swiss Cottage tube station (Jubilee Line)
- Hampstead Heath (North London Line)
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[edit] Cultural References
Belsize Park is mentioned in Marillion song Kayleigh, in the line "loving on the floor in Belsize Park" and in the short film "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" of which the title song became a hit for Engelbert Humperdinck. Belsize Park is also referenced on Sleeper's 1995 debut album "Smart" in the song "Lady Love Your Countryside" with the lyrics "And we could spend our lives puking in Belsize Park". The Camden Town Group artist Robert Polhill Bevan and his wife Stanislawa de Karlowska lived at 14 Adamson Road from 1900-1925.
[edit] Sport
There are records of a Belsize Park Rugby Club in North-West London since the 1860s. In 1871, Belsize were one of the clubs at the inaugural meeting of the Rugby Football Union, and therefore pioneers of the game of Rugby Union. In 1878, Belsize moved to form Rosslyn Park RFC, becoming one of England's leading clubs. In 1971, Belsize Park RFC was re-established by a group of local players, who developed a philosophy of Win the Game, but definitely win the party! By the late 1970s, the special spirit had evolved, enticing friends from all over the world, including a number of established internationals, who relished the concept of good, free spirit rugby blended with partying and excess. The club is now one of the most central of all London Rugby Clubs, playing and training (confusingly) in Regent's park. There are 3 regular teams playing every Saturday during the season as well as a Touch Rugby squad in the summer.
[edit] References
- ^ Belsize Walk, London Borough of Camden, page 4. Retrieved 2009-06-13
[edit] External links
- History of the Belsize estate
- Belsize Park World War II deep shelter
- Belsize Residents Association
- Belsize Park Rugby Club
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