Sloane Square
Sloane Square is a small hard-landscaped square on the boundaries of the west London districts of Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Chelsea, located 2.1 miles (3.4 km) southwest of Charing Cross, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The area forms a boundary between the two largest aristocratic estates in London, the Grosvenor Estate and the Cadogan. The square is part of the Hans Town area designed in 1771 by Henry Holland Snr. and Henry Holland Jnr. Both the town and square were named after Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753), whose heirs owned the land at the time.[1]
The square lies at the east end of the trendy Kings Road and at the south end of the more conventionally smart Sloane Street linking to Knightsbridge. In the early 1980s, it lent its name to the "Sloane Rangers", the young underemployed, often snooty and ostentatiously well-off members of the upper classes. The square has two notable buildings: Peter Jones department store and the Royal Court Theatre. The River Westbourne is carried over the tube station in a large iron pipe. On the northern side of the square is the Sloane Square Hotel.
In 2002, the Christian Science Church (built in 1907) was converted to a hall, named Cadogan Hall, which is now used for concerts.[2]
In early 2005 improvements to the square were proposed, involving a change to the road layout to make it more pedestrian friendly. One option was to create a central crossroads and two open spaces in front of Peter Jones and the Royal Court. The pedestrian area leading to Pavilion Road now houses the flagship stores of many luxury brands including Brora and Links of London.
This option was put out to consultation, and the results in April 2007 showed that over 65% of respondents preferred a renovation of the existing square, so the crossroads plan has been shelved.
Near it, are the National Army Museum and Holy Trinity Sloane Street, the basilica-like parish church known as the "Cathedral of the Arts & Crafts Movement", built in 1890 a few yards from the square itself.
Sloane Square Underground station (District and Circle lines) is at the south eastern corner. The line crosses under the square to the north west towards South Kensington station.
Since the public consultation of April 2007, other independent proposals[3] have been put forward for improvement of the square.
Fountain
The Venus Fountain which stands in the centre of the square was constructed in 1953, designed by sculptor Gilbert Ledward.[4][5] The fountain depicts Venus, and on the basin section of the fountain is a relief which depicts King Charles II and Nell Gwynn by the Thames,[5] which was used in relation to a house located close by that Nell Gwynn had used.[4]
In 2006, David Lammy put forward a proposal to have the fountain grade II listed,[4] which was successful.[5]
See also
References
- ^ British History Online: British-history.ac.uk; 2004
- ^ Cadogan Hall
- ^ Richardbird.info, Independent proposal for improvement
- ^ a b c Culture.gov.uk 'Proposal for Listing of Venus Fountain'
- ^ a b c 'Fountains of London' - Secret London
External links
51°29′33″N 0°09′26″W / 51.492521°N 0.157188°W
