BARONS COURT District/Piccadilly Line
This is a trip for those who are interested in architecture – or like a sentimental Victorian graveyard angel or two. The Station itself is a gem. Built in 1905 it has amazing old seats on the platforms and green tiles in the booking office. The façade is classically elegant with lots of period features, best viewed from across the road.
When you have had your fill of all that, go back to the station side of the road and head for the busy Talgarth Road. Be brave and get to the crossing island in the middle - try not to inhale too many car fumes. In front of you to the right is a round-ended Deco block of flats. Turn round for a great contrast – the studios designed for ‘bachelor artists’. Built in 1891 this ornate row has studios with superb north-facing windows on the first floor, while the living quarters for the housekeepers are in the basement. A whacky set of buildings if ever I saw one

Walk back over the railway bridge and turn into Margravine Gardens. This has its own brand of odd and entertaining architecture, but don’t forget to look over the railway to the backs of the studios. Even more exciting is the CFA Voysey*house at 17 St. Dunstans Road (first left). Tucked away in a corner, this Arts and Crafts ‘cottage’ was built for a painter in1891. The reason it looks familiar (apart from the massive chimney stack) is because Voysey influenced the design of thousands of suburban houses built in the inter-war years. The building has undergone some alteration, but remains a charming example of the Voysey style. If you want to see the rear elevation (not very attractive now, I’m afraid) return to Margravine Gardens and go into Hammersmith Cemetery where the back of the Voysey house is clearly visible. At least the satellite dishes on the chimney have been discreetly placed so that they are not visible from the front of the house. . . .

The cemetery itself is a surprisingly peaceful, leafy place considering its situation. There are many interesting Victorian monuments -I particularly like the van Os family grave with its large marble pillow (right hand side of main walk) that looks comfortingly soft.

* Since they have accessible in previous years, it is worth checking the Open House London website to see if these buildings are listed as being open in September.


MAP

This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!

© DR2006