Chester Terrace

Chester Terrace is one of the neo-classical terraces in Regent's Park, London. The terrace has the longest unbroken facade in Regent's Park, of about 280 metres (920 ft).[2] It takes its name from one of the titles of George IV before he became king, Earl of Chester.[3] It now lies within the London Borough of Camden.

Chester Terrace
Length0.2 mi[1] (0.3 km)
LocationRegent's Park, London
Postal codeNW1 4ND
Coordinates51.5290°N 0.1454°W / 51.5290; -0.1454
south endChester Gate
north endCumberland Place
Construction
Inauguration1825 (1825)

As with Cornwall Terrace and York Terrace, the architectural plans were made by John Nash but subsequently altered almost beyond recognition by Decimus Burton, who was responsible for the existing design, built by his father James Burton in 1825. Nash was so dissatisfied with Decimus's design that he sought the demolition and complete rebuilding of the Terrace, but in vain.[4][5] It is a Grade I listed building.[6]

Architecture

All 42 houses are Grade I listed buildings.[2][6] At each end there is a Corinthian arch bearing at the top the terrace's name in large lettering on a blue background, possibly the largest street signs in London. Five houses are semi-detached. One of these, Nash House (3 Chester Terrace, although the main entrance is on Chester Gate), has a bust of John Nash on its west side,[2] appearing identical to the bust on All Souls Church, Langham Place.

Former residents

There are two blue plaques on the street: one at No. 13 for the architect Charles Robert Cockerell,[7] and one at No. 27 for Air Marshal John Salmond.[8]

The politician John Profumo lived at the aforementioned Nash House, No. 3 Chester Terrace, from 1948 until 1965.[9] His former mistress Christine Keeler later lived in the nearby Chester Close North.[10]

The composer Sir Arnold Bax lived at No. 19 from 1911 to 1918. The actor Sir Ralph Richardson and his wife Meriel Forbes lived at No. 1 Chester Terrace until 1983.[11]

This location was used for The Avengers' episode "You'll Catch Your Death" (1968).[12] It featured in the 1997 film version of George Orwell's Keep The Aspidistra Flying. It is a major location in the film The End of the Affair (1955).[13] It also features in the film The Nanny (1965).[14]

It is shown in the 1968 Robert Wise musical film Star!, in a brief scene during which Gertrude Lawrence (played by Julie Andrews) receives a writ for unpaid bills. The location is also featured in the film Mrs Henderson Presents as the home of Laura Henderson (played by Judi Dench).[15]

  • North end
  • South end

See also

References
  1. "Walking directions to Chester Terrace". Google Maps. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  2. Images of England: National Monuments Record
  3. Weinreb, B. and Hibbert, C. (ed) (1983) The London Encyclopaedia Macmillan ISBN 0-333-57688-8
  4. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Decimus Burton
  5. "James Burton [Haliburton]", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography".
  6. Historic England. "Numbers 1–42 and attached railings and linking arches, 1–42, Chester Terrace  (Grade I) (1271885)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  7. Rennison, N. (1999) The London Blue Plaque Guide Sutton Publishing ISBN 0-7509-2091-2
  8. "John Maitland Salmond | Military Officer | Blue Plaques". English Heritage. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  9. Stott, Richard (16 September 2006). "Book Review: Bringing The House Down". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  10. Kögebehn, Günther (1999). "BHS: Herrmann Photo Tour: London: The Private Herrmann". folk.uib.no. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  11. Sutton, Paul (2004). Lindsay Anderson Diaries. Bloomsbury. p. 219. ISBN 9781408150092.
  12. The Avengers locations
  13. "The End of the Affair". Reel Streets. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  14. "The Nanny". Movie Locations. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  15. "Mrs Henderson Presents". Film London. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
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