Property Description

Albion Close is a gated and cobbled cul-de-sac, approached through an entrance under a building on Albion Street. The Mews is private with no public access and contains 12 properties used for residential purposes. The Mews runs approximately South-North and is directly in-line with Connaught Close, another Mews street.

A high explosive bomb is recorded falling directly onto Albion Close in World War II. The section of Mews that can be seen from outside the property (no access was granted) belies any evidence of previous equestrian usage and was probably replaced as a result of the bomb damage that occurred in the War.

The area was recorded as being comfortable with good earnings when the London Poverty Maps were published.

Albion Close is part of the Church Commissioners’ Hyde Park Estate, and Westminster City Council’s Bayswater Conservation Area. It is situated on the north side of Hyde Park, opposite Albion Mews. The Church Commissioners Hyde Park Estate is considered to be one of the most important works of Georgian town planning in London due to its planned layout of squares, crescents and Mews.

The Mews is cobbled with partial raised pavements. What can be seen from outside the gated cul-de-sac is painted brickwork, three-storey properties with mansard roofs.

13 Albion Street has a Blue Plaque erected in 1983 inscribed ‘SIR CHALES VYNER BROOKE 1874-1963 last Rajah of Sarawk lived here’. Additionally, the renowned English actor Sir Michael Caine once lived in the Mews.

Everchanging Nature

The Mews originally provided stable/ coach house accommodation for the larger houses in Albion Street. There have been a few planning applications made for alterations to the properties since 2003, mainly for minor works, replacement fenestration and alterations to the existing garage doors but other notable alterations include basement excavations and garage conversions into additional residential accommodation.

Conservation Area controls now apply to new development in the Mews.