Maida Vale History
Starting life as an indistinguishable of the Middlesex Forest in 1086, Maida Vale has certainly developed from the small hamlet, which in those days, was not even significant enough to mention. Passing from the hands of the parish of St Margaret’s Westminster to a Thomas Browne in the 1650s for a total of £3,958 17s 4d, and then back to the Church again, there is no doubt that Maida Vale has a rich and prosperous history.The name Maida Vale can be traced back to an impressive military victory against the French army in Sicily in 1806. In recognition of his role in the attack General John Stuart, commander of the British forces, was ennobled Count of Maida. Three years later a tavern on Edgware Road was named the Hero of Maida Tavern and by 1810 maps designated the area surrounding the tavern as Maida.
Advertisement in The Times, Tuesday, November 14, 1854
APARTMENTS, Furnished, suitable for a gentleman not dining at home and wishing to sleep in good air – a sitting room on the first floor of a private house. No other lodgers. Rent only 12s per week. Apply to M N O, 21 Aberdeen-place, Maida Hill.
The canal system linking Maida Vale to the Thames was completed in the early 19th century and in 1827 the layout of roads now recognised as Maida Vale were designed. As the centre of the city became overcrowded with an ever increasing population and new roadways developed, improvements to public transport enabled the middle classes to move outwards to new suburbs. By 1839 thirteen omnibuses were licensed to carry passengers from Maida Hill into London. This dramatically sped up the pace of building in the district.
Warrington Crescent was constructed in 1861 along with the Warrington Hotel. This was quickly followed by the building of The Prince Alfred in 1862 and the Lord Elgin in 1863. Around this time the name Maida Vale was being used for the stretch from Maida Hill to Kilburn Park Road. Paddington Recreational Ground ‘The Rec’ was opened in 1888 providing a cricket ground, tennis courts, cycle track and a pavilion.
Around the turn of the 19th Century saw a large number of mansion blocks built in the area. These included Lauderdale in 1897; Ashworth, Elgin and Leith in 1900; Carlton and Castellain in 1902 and Delaware in 1907. The trend towards mansion blocks in general began in the 1870s when white collar workers were looking for reasonably priced housing near central London. Called ‘Mansion flats’, they were designed to have impressive entrances, generous elevations and balconies, giving an overall impression of a large mansion.
Today Maida Vale offers an enormous range of vistas, from the canal and the predominantly stuccoed houses in the south to the park and the predominantly red brick flats in the north. As stated by John Julius Norwich, Writer, Broadcaster and Resident of Maida Vale, “though obviously changed beyond recognition, it remains, in all London, the most agreeable place to live” (p4, 2000).
Places of Interest
Little Venice and the Grand Union Canal
Originally titled the Grand Junction Canal, the 13 mile long Paddington Arm was opened on July 1801. A packet boat passenger service from Greenford to Uxbridge was in use for 10 years, with boats leaving Paddington Basin at eight o’clock every morning during the summer months and returning in the evening. The return fare was 2s 6d.
The construction of wharves and sheds to service the increasing produce soon transformed Paddington from a quiet village into a thriving community. It was the Lord Byron who contrasted the area to Venice and since the Second World War the name Little Venice has become common usage.Canalway Cavalcade
Canalway Cavalcade is a major annual event organised by the Inland Waterways Association. It is held over the early May Bank Holiday weekend and combines a boat rally with a trade show and a wide range of activities and entertainments. With well over 100 boats, the Canalway Cavalcade claims the title of London’s premier waterway event.
BBC Studios
The early 1930s saw the BBC searching for space to accommodate for the full BBC Symphony Orchestra. The potential of the former Maida Vale Roller Skating Palace on Delaware Road was spotted and over a 15 month period one hundred men reduced the building to a shell and reconstructed it. The Maida Vale studios, now the BBC’s principal musical home, opened in 1934 with five studios and the most modern broadcasting facilities available. On 16 October 1934 the BBC Symphony Orchestra broadcast its first concert from the new centre.
During the Second World War the government made plans to ensure that information channels were adequately protected – including the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. The studios were also used for making programmes for Europe via the erstwhile commercial Radio Normandie.
Beatles-mania hit Maida Vale when the Beatles’ recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. A double CD ‘Live at the BBC’ including some of the material from the Beatles’ sessions at the Maida Vale studios was issued in 1994.
Going Out
Maida Vale has long been known as one of London’s smartest areas. Centrally located the neighbourhood has a feeling of luxury that sets it apart from the nearby hustle and bustle. Smart shops line Maida Vale side streets and the famous Portobello Road market is nearby with a wealth of antiques, memorabilia and other collectibles. Good restaurants are easy to come by in both Maida Vale and Little Venice. The nearby Westbourne Grove and Notting Hill give residents even more options where going out is concerned.Graze Restaurant
215 Sutherland Avenue
Tel: 020 7266 3131
Graze is great for a relaxing evening, the cocktail list is varied, the food is excellent quality and the décor is chic. The staff are very friendly and the service is good. They often have themed nights and special offers running, so if you like the sound of Graze, go and check it out!
Le Cochonnet
Lauderdale Road, W9 1LT,
Tel: 020 7289 0393
Le Cochonnet is not just a great pizza/Italian restaurant but they also do great contemporary and traditional dishes, including a great steak and brilliant poultry dishes. Le Cochonnet has reasonable prices all year round and a great selection of wines. The staff are well mannered, competent and knowledgeable. This place has a great atmosphere, especially on a summer's evening with the front of house open to the lovely Maida Vale environment.
The Waterway
54 Formosa Street, W9
Tel: 020 7266 3557
A lovely bar/restaurant by the canal in Little Venice, with an outdoor patio area which has a barbecue on the go in the summer. In the colder weather you receive a nice cosy welcome from the pleasant staff. There is an extensive wine list and a delicious menu as well as being easy on the pocket.
Maida Vale Tandoori
49 Chippenham Road, W9,
Tel: 020 7266 4616
This is one of the best Indian restaurants around, the interior is warm and welcoming and the staff are friendly and attentive. Their dishes are scrumptious and really good quality. They serve the bowls on hot plates and the naan bread is yummy! It is good value for money, so if you feel like a casual curry, head down to the Tandoori!
Prince Alfred and Formosa Dining Room
5a Formosa Street
Tel 020 7286 3287
This bar/restaurant has beautiful décor and an amazing bar area and comfy chairs. The food is of exceptional quality and the service personal, attentive, friendly and responsive. They have a great selection of beers and a varied wine list and the prices are reasonable too.
Parks and Open Spaces
Some of the most famous parks in London are within easy walking distance of Maida Vale including Rembrandt Gardens, Paddington Recreation Ground with good sports facilities and Regents Park and Zoo.
Regents Park evolved from the 1811 plans of John Nash, Crown Architect and friend of The Prince Regent. To raise revenue for the Crown, he designed a private residential estate set in parkland. From the steep summit of Primrose Hill there are fine views of Westminster and the City. The area now open to the public is mainly open park land which supports a wide range of facilities and amenities including gardens, a lake with islands, a heronry and waterfowl collection, sports and catering, children’s playgrounds and the Open Air Theatre. It also contains London Zoo and is the largest outdoor grass area for sports in central London.
Transport Links
Maida Vale is located just moments away from Central London and is well served by the public transport network. Although it retains a homely village atmosphere, excellent tube, bus and rail links ensure the whole of London is easily accessible.The Underground
The Maida Vale underground station located on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Randolph Avenue is in Zone 2 on the (brown) Bakerloo Line. Approximately 15 minutes from Oxford Circus, residents have easy access with only a few stops to the centre of London.Rail
Paddington is served by First Great Western and is close to Maida Vale. Trains travel as far as Penzance, Swansea and Hereford calling at various stations enroute.Bus Routes
The 98 starts its journey at Willesden Bus Garage and proceeds to:
- Willesden Lane
- Kilburn High Road
- Maida Vale
- Edgware Road
- Marble Arch
- Oxford Street
- Bond Street
- Oxford Circus
- Tottenham Court Road
- Holborn
The 16 commences at Cricklewood Bus Garage and proceeds to:
- Kilburn
- Brondesbury
- Maida Vale
- Edgware Road
- Marble Arch
- Park Lane
- Hyde Park Corner
- Victoria station
The 187 starts its journey at the O2 Centre on Finchley Road and proceeds to:
- Swiss Cottage station
- St Johns Wood station
- Maida Vale
- Queen’s Park station
- Kilburn Lane
- Kensal Rise
- Park Royal
- Central Middlesex Hospital
The number 6 commences from Kensal Rise and then proceeds to:
- Kilburn Lane
- Queens Park
- Carlton Vale
- Maida Vale
- Edgware Road
- Marble Arch
- Oxford Street
- Bond Street
- Picadilly Circus
- Trafalgar Sqaure
- Aldwych
The 46 starts at Warwick Avenue station and proceeds to:
- Clifton Gardens
- Sutherland Avenue
- St Johns Wood
- Finchley Road
- Swiss Cottage Station
- Fitzjohn’s Avenue
- Hampstead Station
- Royal Free Hospital
- Hampstead Heath
- Kentish Town and Camden Road Station
- St Pancras Hospital and station
- Kings Cross Station
- Grays Inn Road
- Chancery Lane Station
- Holborn
- Farringdon
The 414 commences from Maida Vale and then proceeds to:
- Edgware Road
- Marble Arch
- Park Lane
- Hyde Park Corner
- Knightsbridge
- South Kensington station
- Royal Marsden Hospital
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
- Fulham Broadway
- Fulham High Street
Airport Links
As a result of these comprehensive services, all four of London’s international airports can be reached from Maida Vale in approximately 1 hour. Heathrow airport can be reached by taking the Bakerloo Line from Maida Vale to Paddington station, then you can either change onto the Heathrow Express from there or take the District or Circle Line to Earls Court and then the Picadilly Line direct to Heathrow Airport. To get to Stansted Airport, take the Bakerloo Line from Maida Vale to Paddington and change onto the Hammersmith & City or Circle Line and take to Liverpool Street where you can catch the Stansted Express. London City Airport can be accessed by taking the Bakerloo Line to Baker Street, then changing onto the Jubilee Line to Canning Town, then changing to the Docklands Light Railway to City Airport. Finally, Luton airport can be accessed by taking the Bakerloo Line to Baker Street, changing to the Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan or Circle Line and travelling to Farringdon where you change onto the Thameslink rail line to Luton Airport Parkway.
Famous Residents in Maida Vale
Sir John Ambrose Fleming (1849-1945) who invented the wireless valve lived at 9 Clifton Gardens. David Ben-Gurion (18886-1873) was the first Prime Minister of Israel and he stayed at 75 Warrington Crescent. Sir John Tenniel, illustrator of Alice in Wonderland lived at Randolph Avenue. The pioneer of cinematography, Wiliiam Edward Friese-Greene (1855-1921) lived at 136 Maida Vale. Robert Browning, the famous 19th century poet, lived at Warwick Crescent.Nearby hotels in Maida Vale
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