Kentish Town
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Kentish Town is an area of north London in the London Borough of Camden.
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[edit] History
Kentish Town is first recorded during the reign of King John (1208) as kentisston. By 1456 Kentish Town was recognised as a thriving hamlet, and in this period a chapel of ease is recorded as being built for the inhabitants.
The early 19th century brought modernisation, causing much of the area's rural charm, the River Fleet and the 18th century buildings to vanish, although pockets still remain, for example Little Green Street. Between the availability of public transport to it from London, and its urbanisation, it was a popular resort.
Large amounts of land were purchased to build the railway, which can still be seen today. Kentish Town was a prime site for development as the Kentish Town Road was a major route from London northwards.
1877 saw the beginning of mission work in the area as it was then poor. The mission first held their services outside but as their funding increased they built a mission house, chapel, and vicarage. One mission house of the area was Lyndhurst Hall, which remained in community use for many years before being taken over by the Council and being run-down. The Council were looking to sell it to property developers for residential use, amid some local opposition. The Council were able to find a developer and the hall was demolished in 2006.
In 1912 the Church of St. Silas the Martyr was finally erected and consecrated, and by December of that year it became a parish in its own right. It can still be seen today along with the church of St Luke with St Paul and the Church of St. Barnabas (handed over to the Greek Orthodox Church in 1957).
Kentish Town High Street contains one of London's many disused Tube stations. South Kentish Town tube station was closed in June 1924 after strike action at the Lots Road power station meant the lift could not be used. It never reopened. The distinctive building is now occupied by a 'Cash Converters' pawn shop at the corner of Kentish Town Road and Castle Road although there have been proposals to rebuild the station.
Kentish Town was to see further modernisation in the post-World War II period. This means that there are few signs of 19th century influence left in the area.
[edit] Kentish Town Today
Today Kentish Town is a busy shopping and business area. It offers libraries, gyms and other entertainments to visitors and its community. Its proximity to Camden Town is ideal for further entertainment and a wider range of shops. In August 2006 residents welcomed noted wine merchants Oddbins to the high street.
Kentish Town is a haven for independent shops. A survey by the local Green Party found that of 87 shops on the high street, 53 were still independently owned[1]. The opening of the Earth whole foods shop in 2006 confirms that this spirit continues despite the presence of several supermarkets, including a Somerfields, Iceland, Co-op, and more recently a Tesco Metro.
Kentish Town has always been noted for its pubs and bars.
Kentish Town is also home to The Forum, a popular live music venue.
One of London's most famous nudist public baths, Rio's, is in Kentish Town.
Many of the old buildings remain, albeit hidden behind the facades of modern shops or neglected, and it is still possible to get a good impression of Kentish Town's heritage in present-day NW5.
Famous residents of Kentish Town include Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian newspaper; Gareth Peirce, solicitor; Bert Jansch, folk musician; Jon Snow, TV journalist; Roger Lloyd Pack, actor; Bill Nighy, actor and Giles Coren, restaurant critic.
[edit] St Pancras Public Baths
The largest municipal building in Kentish Town is the St Pancras public baths, opened in 1900, designed by T.W. Aldwinckle. The large complex originally had separate first and second class men's baths and a women's baths, along with a public hall. Little of the interior remains intact.
The baths were closed in January 2007 for refurbishment and are unlikely to re-open before 2010.
[edit] Other
Other nearby areas:
- Camden Town and Chalk Farm to the south
- Barnsbury to the south-east
- Tufnell Park and Holloway to the east
- Dartmouth Park and Archway to the north-east
- Highgate to the north
- Hampstead and Belsize Park to the west
Nearest stations:
[edit] References
- Gillian Tindall, The Fields Beneath ISBN 1-84212-248-7. A detailed history of Kentish Town.
