Tour Locations | Fairer than Florence: A Stroll Through Thomas Cubitt’s Pimlico

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LOCATION 1
Introduction
Hello, my name is Steve. I'll be your guide for your tour today. I've been a walking tour guide for about ten years and as the history of London is my passion, I think I've got the best job in the ...
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LOCATION 2
Churchill
Pimlico over the years has been the spot for politicians to live in due to its proximity to parliament. One such resident was Winston Churchill, who established his family home at number 33, a smar...
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LOCATION 3
Willow Walk
As you get to the junction with Warwick Way, stop for a while and I'll give you some background on the area of Pimlico.
Let's start with a brief history of Pimlico, which is an area of central L...
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LOCATION 4
James Earl Ray
In the 1960s The Pax Hotel at 126 Warwick Way was a slightly seedy commercial hotel, very unlike the boutique chic OYO Bakers Hotel that it is today. Please stop when you reach it.
I'd be surpr...
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LOCATION 5
Pimlico in the Blitz
Please stop when you get to the junction with Alderney Street up ahead.
The right-hand side of Alderney Street was hit by a parachute mine in the vicinity of Gloucester and Cambridge Streets at ...
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LOCATION 6
MI5 Murder
In 2010, Gareth Williams was staying at Flat 4, 36 Alderney Street which is on your right. He was a mathematician and employee of the Government Communications HQ seconded to the Secret Intelligenc...
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LOCATION 7
Pimlico
During the nineteenth century, this area was ripe for development and in 1825 Thomas Cubitt was contracted to develop the area. He developed a grid of handsome white stucco terraces and garden squa...
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LOCATION 8
John Collins
Stop here at the junction of Sussex Street. Face the building on your left situated at the corner of Sussex and Alderney Street. This is No. 99 Alderney Street and I'll tell you a story that made t...
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LOCATION 9
Aubrey Beardsley
Stop here please outside number 114 Cambridge Street on your right. It was the home of the artist Aubrey Beardsley between 1893-1895. Diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of seven and described b...
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LOCATION 10
33 Warwick Square
The impressive and slightly gothic building clad in ivy on your right is 33 Warwick Square. Please stop in front of it.
Considered to be London’s first true studio house combining a studio, gal...
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LOCATION 11
Swami Vivekananda
Stop outside number 63.
This was the London home for a short time of the Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda. He became a leading spokesman for modern Hinduism in the West. A compelling speaker,...
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LOCATION 12
Cubitt's Life
As we walk along St George's Drive, I'll tell you a little about the man who's vision it was to build all the grand street and houses, Thomas Cubitt.
Cubitt was born the son of a carpenter in Bu...
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LOCATION 13
Thomas Cubitt
Stop here please.
On your left is a statue of the man who built Pimlico, Thomas Cubitt. The sculpture by William Fawke was unveiled by His Grace the Duke of Westminster on the 23rd of May 1995 ...
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LOCATION 14
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LOCATION 15
Douglas Macmillan
Number 15 Ranelagh Road on your left was the home of Douglas Macmillan, founder of the Macmillan Cancer Relief charity.
Continue to follow the road to its end, turning left into Johnson's Place....
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LOCATION 16
Dolphin House
As you enter Chichester Street you will see immediately in front of you and to your right the imposing edifice of Dolphin Square. Slowly make your way down the street while I tell you about it.
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LOCATION 17
St Georges Square
Continue to the end of Chichester Street, cross the road and take a right into St Georges Square.
Dolphin House sounds like an idyllic place to live. If you were lucky enough to find a flat for ...
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LOCATION 18
St Georges Square Garden
Coming up and just opposite number 66 is the entrance to the Gardens that form St George's Square. Please enter the garden and walk directly towards the round area with the fountain and benches.
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LOCATION 19
St Saviour's
On your left you will see St. Saviour's church. Please stop here while I tell you about it.
St Saviour's was consecrated on 16 July 1864. The executors of Thomas Cubitt donated the land and the...
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LOCATION 20
Cabman's Shelter
Stop here. The hut you are looking at is one of the remaining Cabbies' Shelters that are dotted around London.
Because cab drivers weren't allowed to leave their vehicles when parked at a stand,...
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LOCATION 21
Moreton Terrace
Turn right into Moreton terrace by the tree. Three doors up, turn left into the small entrance to Moreton Terrace Mews South. Walk a few yards into the mews and stop, I'll meet you there.
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LOCATION 22
The Mews
During this tour we've seen roads of very grand houses, populated for the most part by well to do people, but what of the people that made these households function?
As we stand in Moreton Terra...
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LOCATION 23
Across Moreton Terrace
Walk past Moreton Terrace Mews North and then turn right into Moreton Place and pause outside number 22.
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LOCATION 24
Wilfred Bramble
Actor Wilfred Bramble lived at 22 Moreton Place. He lived here in the basement flat from the early 1960s until his death in 1985. He is most famous for playing old man Steptoe in the classic BBC te...
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LOCATION 25
William Hughes
Number 7 Moreton Place is remembered as the birthplace in 1862 of William "Billy" Hughes who served as the 7th Prime Minister of Australia between 1916-1923. Hughes was born to Welsh parents and e...
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LOCATION 26
Belgrave Rd
Cross the road in front of you and then take a right into St George's Square and follow the road keeping the small park on your right.
Where were we?
On the 4th March 1972, neighbours alerte...
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LOCATION 27
Walter Clopton Wingfield
Stop here please. Number 33 on the corner of the road was the home of the man known as the Father of Lawn Tennis, Walter Clopton Wingfield, from 1902 until his death in 1912.
Major Walter Clopto...
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LOCATION 28
Paollozzi Statue
Stop here please.
You are looking at a piece of sculpture by Scottish artist Eduardo Paolozzi. Installed in 1982. It is a cast-iron relief that cleverly masks a ventilation shaft, just above Pi...