It would have further obstructed the beautiful old building next door , derp. You can see it wouldn't have worked and would have ruined the old buildings view, and light etc.
Omg you actually coverd this tiny house that was owned by my mum's aunt! My mum visited the tiny home when she comes over from Australia with my grandparents back in the early 1930's, she was 10 at the time. My mum mentioned the ladder and everything and told us our Nanna couldn't climb it and it was unladylike anyway lol. That's just so unreal. I thought it didn't exist anymore.....
There is a family story much like this one about a house my great-aunt owned in St Louis, Missouri. The house had been passed down for generations and was wanted by developers, but she wouldn't budge. She ended up living between to large apartment buildings with her small house still standing. She left the house in her Will to her doctor who was 40 years younger and was willing to take care of her for free for the rest of her life. She outlived her doctor, so he didn't get the house after all.
@@Vintage-Retro-finder My cousin is now the owner. He's renting it out to an organization that uses it as a halfway house. He calls it his FU to developers. I did ask if the story was true about Great-Aunt Minty and her doctor was true and it is. He has her old Will where she left him the house but he was 34 years younger and not 40.
The redevelopment of this quant, small dwelling, alongside, its adjoined neighbour is rather nice with its red brick design. But I think it’s design doesn’t match the period properties next door. And from the historic photos shown in this video, I feel it’s original design would be more suited, then the redesign. But I do like it, it has a retro feel to it.
I live in a detached house that is less than three foot at the front from next door and about ten feet at the back . And year's ago there was a single story dwelling that took up less than half that space from the front towards the back . The really strange thing was that it was six feet up and accessed by a ladder .
Yes, I didn't see the episode Zepherus but I was aware it had been on Grand Designs... sounds like the project was quite a headache?! Cheers and stay well.
I sound like a broken record but I really do love your videos - wasn’t aware of this tiny house or its history - absolutely fascinating! Would love to have a nosy inside!
Yeah, you are very boring! I seem to be writing the same sort of thing too! I find Rob’s videos to be very interesting and informative. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 I hope that you are enjoying the summer in London. It’s a bit cold here at the moment.
I actually walked past this house on 22nd February this year without knowing what it was. I was heading to an hotel in Norfolk Square to stop for one night before getting the Heathrow Express for my flight back home, and noticed the shrine even stopping to read the plaque. Then I noticed this odd looking door and figured it was just some sort of service door. I wish I had watched this video earlier.
That was fascinating - thank you! I'd love a property in this part of London but if I sold my 4 bed house with large garden in North Essex I still wouldn't be able to afford this tiny house!
Thanks Rob for another beautiful tale. I like to think that I have an enquiring mind, but your research is fantastic. You never ever fail to put a smile on my face . You bring history alive, and that is such a talent 💕
Another great video! The old Lambeth workhouse become Lambeth Hospital, my late father worked there for a number of years! My wife was born there Christmas Day 1963!
Wow, my nana worked in service in a house opposite Hyde Park in the 1920s, to think she probably walked past this house regularly 👍🏻 Just stumbled across your channel, I love it as I’m always fascinated with unusual homes and buildings 💞
What a wonderful comment Eve, thank you so much! Yes, your Nana would've been most certainly familiar with the little house :-) Thanks again and stay well.
The space is unoccupiable. Even if there was no floor above the entrace, the light would be insuffcient to allow occupancy, so it's really just a store cupboard, ideal for bikes, but not people.
Just found your channel and I'm really enjoying your videos. Very interesting information and you narrate it so well. Thank you. I'kk be carrying on seeing what other history you'll be sharing.
Really enjoyed that,know the house well,though I'm afraid I knew nothing of its history until just now. I myself lived in one of the smallest houses I know of in London, in Chelsea Manor Street,Chelsea,opposite Alpha Place,just before Oakley Gardens. It looks a little bigger because it's sideways to the streets, joined to the house on corner of Oakley Gdns, it's just 3 rooms stacked on top of each other,basement is a kitchen(just room for table),with the loo throuh a door on far left hand side. Narrow stairs lead up to a sitting room & then up another flight of stairs to the bedroom,with a shower & washbasin,again through a door on left hand side. It did benefit hugely from a small 'paved 'garden' which I made seem larger by installing mirrors behind raised flower troughs. This was accessed through a door on ground floor at top of the stairs leading to the basement. I lived there for 10 years in the mid 80s/early 90s. The kitchen window was in a well set below a grill set into the pavement - again made bigger by lining with mirror,installing lighting and plants. A tiny house in the heart of Chelsea - where I was born & have lived all my my life; still here! It belonged to Cadogan Estates - who own a large number of properties; it was at that time rent controlled & when I moved in the rent was £24 a month!!!! rising - with hard negotiations each year(the basement was riddled with rising damp & dry rot, so lined out entirely with tongue & groove,which I stained a light blue to brighten it up: the back wall was also in a terrible state,but,livable with) to £36 a month by time I left. For the record, I regularly had people knock on door to ask for a nose around. Lookin forward to catching up on your back catalogue & new videos coming. Very best wishes to you & yours👋🌟💯✌
If I had ever been going past, as my only time away from Oz, I might have knocked and asked. It would have been my only chance, ever. But I would have brought a cake and biscuits and offered morning or afternoon tea as thanks...
I wonder if it is no longer a residence but a disguised building used for utilities. Many cities have them. Pumping station, electrical of telephone supporting facilities, perhaps.
@@Robslondon I’m no expert but I want to say it looks like something that was made in the 60’s but with brick instead of concrete. I approve, concrete is cold and unwelcoming.
@@WardyLion It was made in 1991 believe it or not (there's a plaque on the Convent saying when it was rebuilt). But I know what you mean about the 60s look.
Hyde Park 10 sounds like a house straight out of Harry Potter. I bet it’s the size of a huge mansion inside with all kinds of protections from preying Muggle eyes. Makes me wanna go and watch an HP film…🤣
This was lovely. I appreciate it so much! I live 20 miles north of Philadelphia, PA, and there is a district named Kensington. Sadly, it is not a safe place to visit. But there are other beautiful districts where I live in Bucks County with names like Buckingham, New Britain, Chalfont, Warrington, North Wales, Abington, White Hall....so many established in the 1700s. I live in Doylestown borough, the county seat of Bucks County. It is considered to have significantly more national historical designated sites than many others in the nation. This is because so many artists, vocalists, musicians, writers, play wrights, and people of significance have lived here.
Hi Rob, you always make London look so beautiful. I'm sure the Mayor is pleased with you. That little house probably has no less floor area than my flat, but it's certainly more awkwardly proportioned.
The huge water tower house conversion was on that Kevin McLeod house building show. The penthouse room was the actual water tank. I think it has since sold.
@@Robslondon Not in my budget, but I have trouble looking out of windows on first storey... I'd go for big new shed conversion, open plan, underfloor heating, tiled everywhere, on at least 5 acres, if rich. But I would love 10 acres - but with 3 or 4 acre lake
Very interesting show of Architecture! My Father was an Architect of note, here in Washington, DC's Registry, in the USA...He was right up there with Frank Lloyd Wright, almost! My father designed a lot of large homes; sometimes Schools, Office buildings for downtown's...Especially in Evansville, Indiana, Vero Beach, Florida, & abroad in Canada..
As it’s said to date back to 1805, I think it may have been used as a warehouse of sorts, more precisely a larder. Ice , meats and perishables on the lower floor, and other foods and supplies on the upper floor. It may even have been a storage for supplies and food for horses. A groomsman might have lived upstairs. Just throwing ideas at the wall to see if they stick.
Hi, thanks for this cute program! I hail from the USA (and had the privilege of visiting London with my mother in the mid 1980s after I graduated from university.) I think the most plausible explanation is it being used as servants' quarters. I'm really quite jealous! I'd live there in a heartbeat, as I am alone in the world, so it would be a terrific match! Besides, I love that park view! I'm bummed we can't see the inside! 🤷♀️
Very interesting, thanks. THis little house reminds me of the Spite Houses in America. I understand they were very small buildings squeezed between others just like this one. Spite Houses were built for no reason other than out of spite- perhaps because of a dispute with a neighbour or relative about vacant land in tight spaces.
I have lived in America all my life (76) and never heard of Spite Houses though that doesn’t mean they didn’t exist. Not in Detroit or Michigan. Maybe in the Deep South. There’s so much room to build anywhere that it’s hard to imagine such an attitude. The cities may get crowded but there are so many building codes and such that prohibit such building. If you know where they are located I would love it if you would inform me as it’s so interesting. Also it sounds like they could have been in New York where the great influx of immigrants from Ireland and England esp with disputes got the “ire” up!
That was a really fascinating video. Personally I love the possibility of it being the little gnome man’s house, but I’m leaning more to it being a lookout for the nearby graveyard? Thank you for sharing.
Cheers Dave; yes I completely agree I've no idea why they felt the need to change it so drastically :-( The old one had so much more character. Hope you're keeping well mate.
@@Robslondon it looks like it’s part of a complex extending up to and including the nuns’ house. It appears to have been modified to blend together as a unified property. That’s why no letter box etc.
This was brilliant! I really need to catch up with your uploads as ive been so busy ... I love the details you add into your videos for us..1913! Thank you so much for making this !
I have it in mind hat my Ma once did a retreat with the Tyburn Convent nuns but she might have just heard mass there once or twice. Most interesting and engaging as always. Thanks. ps - that picture of kids gazing at the fairy tree could be me (in the late '50s). I absolutely adored, and spent many happy hours in, that playground, or down near the Round Pond at the Kensington High Street end, rolling down the little slope, feedng the ducks and enjoying the kite flyers.
How extraordinary! Another gem, Rob - thanks a lot. Do we know if the two adjacent houses clad in red brick have the same owner? If so, I'd bet the two houses have been cunningly combined or linked.
Thank you so much! As far as I know the whole set are owned by Tyburn Convent... would be fascinating to know if there's a secret link; I didn't think of that! Cheers and stay well ;-)
Another great video Rob. I'd say the servant quarters is a very good guess, and it makes sense. I'd imagine the convent has some link between them now.
@@Robslondon Too true. My father built our house in 1949 for about £1100, current value on Zoopla £2.7 million! What young couple can afford that but if you're going to allow nearly 1.5 million into the country every year what do you expect?
You are fabulous - this is the second time I've landed on your channel by accident - and watched your content to the end without any trouble at all, such a pleasure - and that's rare these days - you are so good - truly. Psyche aka Psyche Thompson UK 🌹
Very interesting, and appreciated since I’ve never had the chance to visit the UK or London. Who knows what the next chapter may be for the diminutive dwelling, but I certainly hope it’s another remodel; what they did to the façade is criminal - it is so hideous compared to how it looked in the earlier photos.🙀😿
I would love ❤ to have a nosey up the apple and pears 🍐 lol. How interesting u should write a book about all these unusual places I'm sure the tourists and general public would love it. I know I'd buy it if not too pricy. I'm a newbie I can't wait to see more not only London but all over the UK. Thanks for sharing
Such a lovely comment thank you! 😊 Believe it or not I have written a book like that; it’s called ‘The Knowledge: Train Your Brain Like a Cabbie’ (published by Quercus) Thanks again and stay well 😉
My uncle used to live in Hyde Park Mansions, my sister was invited to stay for a week , she was so excited, it sounded so posh . She was very disappointed, it turned out it was a flat, very similar to the Victorian flat we lived in, in the north .
I've been watching Jools guides for a while now and stumbled upon you lol. Absolutely brilliant! I'm a specialist Decorator for the National Heritage and I've decorated some of the properties in your videos! SUBBED 😇
That means so much to me, thank you! Sounds like you've got an incredible job! A good friend of mine is a pest controller, and he too has seen inside many of these buildings! :-D Thanks again for your kind words; made my day. Cheers and stay well.
This 'house' looks about as big as some of Tokyo's "smallest apartments" from the building exterior... I wouldn't be surprised if the building owners covertly modified the building by extending it downwards into a tunnel as if it was like a maze or secret door found in the game "Myst" or "Rivian, the sequel to Myst"...
Thanks Robslondon, I must have walked past this place a hundred times and never realised its importance! Oh, how embarrassing. In my defence they say one never completely knows London. Think I better subscribe to your channel now to avoid further embarrassment...
excellent as always. Can't wait and take a look. Incidentally the American friends I mentioned earlier are comming over in the summer and we will spend a day looking at some of the sites you mentioned.
Thanks Wayne, that means a lot to me. Make sure you show them the Washington statue in Trafalgar Square ;-) And the one of Lincoln in Parliament Square too!
The Tyburn Convent is an AMAZING place. You are allowed in to the chapel hear the sisters sing The Hours. I wandered in during a Vespers one day and it was like a trove of angels singing on high. It’s free to pop in to the non cloistered chapel when a service is on being sung and anyone would be remiss for not stopping
I'm pretty sure that water tower house was featured on Grand Designs some years ago. I remember the man who lived there saying that if you left something you needed on the bottom floor, it was a long way down to go and fetch it. 😂
Rob if you want to go to the smallest house in UK you will have to go North Wales as it is the biggest visitor attraction as well . You can go in to the house but watch your head though .
Hi Rob I'm kicking myself, my earlier guess was 100 bayswater Rd and tyburn you mentioned both , but the house was bang in the middle, I always thought that the goldhawk road property took the smallest title , again you surprise me, as always love the videos, all the best Mike
Ha ha! I knew you'd kick yourself Mike ;-) I guess the the Goldhawk Road one could perhaps be classed as the smallest depending on the criteria used to judge it (does it need running water for example?) Cheers and stay well.
I stayed there once. Very uncomfortable, had to sleep standing up. Even the mice were hunchbacked. Put the key in the lock and broke a window. (Old American Jokes). They "In Which We Live" suit thing was a cheeky reference to Noel Cowards wartime masterpiece "In Which We Serve". It begins "This is the story of a ship..."
If I were to walk by without realising that it was a separate home, I'd assume it was another entrance to the brick home, given that it has the same exterior and they're attached.
I wonder if you would cover Tobacco Dock in Wapping, that is if you haven't done so already? My wife and I chanced upon the two 'ships' there on a ramble to Pelican Steps and would love to know more about that area.
I do indeed have Tobacco Dock down for a future video; it's a great idea and a place that has always fascinated me! I wrote a post about it on my old website a long, long time ago- blackcablondon.net/2013/02/26/tobacco-dock-wappings-ghostly-mall/ and definitely want to update that. Thanks for the suggestion and stay well.
I would love to see inside, I am surprised that none of the owners haven’t extend upwards. Seeing as it’s in such a prime location.
Yes, there appears to be a lot of space behind it too Nicky. Thanks for the comment and stay well.
They're probably not allowed to extend up or out. You know what London's like with its onerous codes!
If you look down the gap above the house you can see a window on the end of the house on the left that’s why they can’t extend the house upwards.
@@pjgreen1786 If it's London's smallest house, then it must be a listed building for sure.
It would have further obstructed the beautiful old building next door , derp. You can see it wouldn't have worked and would have ruined the old buildings view, and light etc.
Omg you actually coverd this tiny house that was owned by my mum's aunt! My mum visited the tiny home when she comes over from Australia with my grandparents back in the early 1930's, she was 10 at the time. My mum mentioned the ladder and everything and told us our Nanna couldn't climb it and it was unladylike anyway lol. That's just so unreal. I thought it didn't exist anymore.....
Wow!!
that's so cool! are there any photos of the inside that you know of?
That's amazing! Any further details you would care to share? I was slightly disappointed when we didn't get a tour. Thanks!
@@arbel7655 Thank! Unfortunately it's private, but from what I understand there is currently not much to see in there; it's like a broom cupboard...
That’s the cutest house. I’d love to stay there
There is a family story much like this one about a house my great-aunt owned in St Louis, Missouri. The house had been passed down for generations and was wanted by developers, but she wouldn't budge. She ended up living between to large apartment buildings with her small house still standing. She left the house in her Will to her doctor who was 40 years younger and was willing to take care of her for free for the rest of her life. She outlived her doctor, so he didn't get the house after all.
That's brilliant Maggie, thanks for sharing :-)
I hope it ultimately didn't end up in the hands of developers
@@iris5678 It's with the Convent at the moment Iris, so in safe hands :-)
Is the house still in the family ??
@@Vintage-Retro-finder My cousin is now the owner. He's renting it out to an organization that uses it as a halfway house. He calls it his FU to developers.
I did ask if the story was true about Great-Aunt Minty and her doctor was true and it is. He has her old Will where she left him the house but he was 34 years younger and not 40.
5:48 The shot of the tiny car in front of the tiny house couldn't have been planned any better..😉
Yes, it was an incredibly lucky shot!! ;-)
I've walked past that house for years never knew that it was the smallest property in London thank you for the informative video
It’s a pleasure Steven, thanks for watching!
The redevelopment of this quant, small dwelling, alongside, its adjoined neighbour is rather nice with its red brick design. But I think it’s design doesn’t match the period properties next door. And from the historic photos shown in this video, I feel it’s original design would be more suited, then the redesign. But I do like it, it has a retro feel to it.
Yes, it is a strange one…
Yes it looks robust and classy
It's original design was far superior.
It ain't "quant", but "quaint".
Fascinating. I tend to the theory it was to prevent the alley being used as a toilet
Thank you hatty 😊
That, with "servant's quarters" as an excuse, probably.
I live in a detached house that is less than three foot at the front from next door and about ten feet at the back . And year's ago there was a single story dwelling that took up less than half that space from the front towards the back . The really strange thing was that it was six feet up and accessed by a ladder .
You made my day with this upload. London never ceases to fascinate me. Thank you!
It's a pleasure Todd; so happy you enjoyed it :-) Stay well my friend and thank you.
Hear hear!
@@arriesone1 :-D
Yet again you’ve produced a fantastic video. Thank you.
Remember the Grand Designs episode when they renovated that water tower. Certainly quite a departure inside from workhouse facilities.
Yes, I didn't see the episode Zepherus but I was aware it had been on Grand Designs... sounds like the project was quite a headache?! Cheers and stay well.
@Gillie Monger Thanks for the info Gillie
@Gillie Monger I was born in Walworth, I never see that house!
I saw that on grand designs too
I sound like a broken record but I really do love your videos - wasn’t aware of this tiny house or its history - absolutely fascinating! Would love to have a nosy inside!
You can sound like a broke record all you like Louise, I'll never tire of your kind words and support! Thanks so much as always and stay well :-)
Yeah, you are very boring! I seem to be writing the same sort of thing too! I find Rob’s videos to be very interesting and informative. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 I hope that you are enjoying the summer in London. It’s a bit cold here at the moment.
I actually walked past this house on 22nd February this year without knowing what it was. I was heading to an hotel in Norfolk Square to stop for one night before getting the Heathrow Express for my flight back home, and noticed the shrine even stopping to read the plaque. Then I noticed this odd looking door and figured it was just some sort of service door. I wish I had watched this video earlier.
Nice comment Liam, thank you.
That was fascinating - thank you! I'd love a property in this part of London but if I sold my 4 bed house with large garden in North Essex I still wouldn't be able to afford this tiny house!
Thanks Alice! Yes it’s crazy isn’t it 😕
Thanks Rob for another beautiful tale. I like to think that I have an enquiring mind, but your research is fantastic. You never ever fail to put a smile on my face . You bring history alive, and that is such a talent 💕
That’s so kind Cheryl, thank you ☺️
Agreed! Well stated.
Another great video! The old Lambeth workhouse become Lambeth Hospital, my late father worked there for a number of years! My wife was born there Christmas Day 1963!
Wow! The workhouse and hospital are certainly worth a video in their own right. Cheers Mark and stay well.
Wow, my nana worked in service in a house opposite Hyde Park in the 1920s, to think she probably walked past this house regularly 👍🏻
Just stumbled across your channel, I love it as I’m always fascinated with unusual homes and buildings 💞
What a wonderful comment Eve, thank you so much! Yes, your Nana would've been most certainly familiar with the little house :-) Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon thanks👍🏻
@@1961-v9k ;-)
Ed
It really makes one ponder what’s behind the closed, locked front door; particularly, in modern times as amenities have presumably been updated.
I think it looks like a cupboard
The space is unoccupiable. Even if there was no floor above the entrace, the light would be insuffcient to allow occupancy, so it's really just a store cupboard, ideal for bikes, but not people.
I’ve walked so many times pass that house and never thought it was a house!
Someone has to conduct surveillance to discover who, if anyone, goes into the tiny house.
Yes, I was thinking the same ;-)
Just found your channel and I'm really enjoying your videos. Very interesting information and you narrate it so well. Thank you. I'kk be carrying on seeing what other history you'll be sharing.
It’s an absolute pleasure Marion. Thank you so much for your kind words; really glad to have you here.
Really enjoyed that,know the house well,though I'm afraid I knew nothing of its history until just now. I myself lived in one of the smallest houses I know of in London, in Chelsea Manor Street,Chelsea,opposite Alpha Place,just before Oakley Gardens. It looks a little bigger because it's sideways to the streets, joined to the house on corner of Oakley Gdns, it's just 3 rooms stacked on top of each other,basement is a kitchen(just room for table),with the loo throuh a door on far left hand side. Narrow stairs lead up to a sitting room & then up another flight of stairs to the bedroom,with a shower & washbasin,again through a door on left hand side. It did benefit hugely from a small 'paved 'garden' which I made seem larger by installing mirrors behind raised flower troughs. This was accessed through a door on ground floor at top of the stairs leading to the basement. I lived there for 10 years in the mid 80s/early 90s. The kitchen window was in a well set below a grill set into the pavement - again made bigger by lining with mirror,installing lighting and plants. A tiny house in the heart of Chelsea - where I was born & have lived all my my life; still here! It belonged to Cadogan Estates - who own a large number of properties; it was at that time rent controlled & when I moved in the rent was £24 a month!!!! rising - with hard negotiations each year(the basement was riddled with rising damp & dry rot, so lined out entirely with tongue & groove,which I stained a light blue to brighten it up: the back wall was also in a terrible state,but,livable with) to £36 a month by time I left. For the record, I regularly had people knock on door to ask for a nose around. Lookin forward to catching up on your back catalogue & new videos coming. Very best wishes to you & yours👋🌟💯✌
Brilliant comment, thanks so. much for sharing... £24 a month?!! Blimey ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
If I had ever been going past, as my only time away from Oz, I might have knocked and asked. It would have been my only chance, ever.
But I would have brought a cake and biscuits and offered morning or afternoon tea as thanks...
@@georgielancaster1356 well then you would DEFINITELY been very welcome😁👋✌
How lovely. If I find that time machine, I will pop in with cake...
I wonder if it is no longer a residence but a disguised building used for utilities. Many cities have them. Pumping station, electrical of telephone supporting facilities, perhaps.
The video said that it is currently owned by a convent and used as a solitary retreat.
Hi Rob, as always totally fascinating!! Gotta love London full of wonders and eccentrics. 👍
Ha ha, cheers Clive! :-)
Thank You, Very Interesting and Fascinating!
I love the brickwork design of Numbers 9 and 10.
It is quite unique! :-D
@@Robslondon I’m no expert but I want to say it looks like something that was made in the 60’s but with brick instead of concrete. I approve, concrete is cold and unwelcoming.
@@WardyLion It was made in 1991 believe it or not (there's a plaque on the Convent saying when it was rebuilt). But I know what you mean about the 60s look.
It’s 25 years since I lived in london. Your videos make me miss it.
Thanks Peter.... hope you get back for a visit soon. Stay well.
Looks like the service entrance for the larger residence next to it.
Hyde Park 10 sounds like a house straight out of Harry Potter. I bet it’s the size of a huge mansion inside with all kinds of protections from preying Muggle eyes. Makes me wanna go and watch an HP film…🤣
😄
I thought the same. It would be funny as 10 and 3/4 Hyde Park
. Seeing as it's attached to number 9, it could quite easily be labeled as 9 3/4
I am totally amazed! I have often passed this while visiting the Tyburn nuns, and never even noticed. Gosh! Thank you.
Ha ha! It's very easy to miss Jacqueline ;-) Thanks for the lovely comment and stay well.
👍😁😁😁😁
This was lovely. I appreciate it so much! I live 20 miles north of Philadelphia, PA, and there is a district named Kensington. Sadly, it is not a safe place to visit. But there are other beautiful districts where I live in Bucks County with names like Buckingham, New Britain, Chalfont, Warrington, North Wales, Abington, White Hall....so many established in the 1700s. I live in Doylestown borough, the county seat of Bucks County. It is considered to have significantly more national historical designated sites than many others in the nation. This is because so many artists, vocalists, musicians, writers, play wrights, and people of significance have lived here.
Thank you Marie; a very interesting comment, I enjoyed reading that. Thanks too for the kind words 😊
Hi Rob, you always make London look so beautiful. I'm sure the Mayor is pleased with you. That little house probably has no less floor area than my flat, but it's certainly more awkwardly proportioned.
Thank you so much 😊 London does the work for me; it always looks great! Although to be fair I’m always lucky with the weather!
Takes 'bijoux' to a whole new level!
😂
The huge water tower house conversion was on that Kevin McLeod house building show. The penthouse room was the actual water tank. I think it has since sold.
You're right Georgie, yes. Not sure how much it went for though!
@@Robslondon Not in my budget, but I have trouble looking out of windows on first storey...
I'd go for big new shed conversion, open plan, underfloor heating, tiled everywhere, on at least 5 acres, if rich.
But I would love 10 acres - but with 3 or 4 acre lake
Very interesting show of Architecture! My Father was an Architect of note, here in Washington, DC's Registry, in the USA...He was right up there with Frank Lloyd Wright, almost!
My father designed a lot of large homes; sometimes Schools, Office buildings for downtown's...Especially in Evansville, Indiana, Vero Beach, Florida, & abroad in Canada..
Wow! 😁
As it’s said to date back to 1805, I think it may have been used as a warehouse of sorts, more precisely a larder. Ice , meats and perishables on the lower floor, and other foods and supplies on the upper floor.
It may even have been a storage for supplies and food for horses. A groomsman might have lived upstairs.
Just throwing ideas at the wall to see if they stick.
Interesting thoughts, thanks,
Hi, thanks for this cute program! I hail from the USA (and had the privilege of visiting London with my mother in the mid 1980s after I graduated from university.) I think the most plausible explanation is it being used as servants' quarters. I'm really quite jealous! I'd live there in a heartbeat, as I am alone in the world, so it would be a terrific match! Besides, I love that park view! I'm bummed we can't see the inside! 🤷♀️
Thank you so much for the kind words Carla 😊 Maybe one day I’ll be able to get inside! 😉
Interesting! Thanks for sharing! ❤
Thank you!
Very interesting, thanks.
THis little house reminds me of the Spite Houses in America. I understand they were very small buildings squeezed between others just like this one. Spite Houses were built for no reason other than out of spite- perhaps because of a dispute with a neighbour or relative about vacant land in tight spaces.
That's a great bit of info Peta, thanks for sharing ;-)
I have lived in America all my life (76) and never heard of Spite Houses though that doesn’t mean they didn’t exist. Not in Detroit or Michigan. Maybe in the Deep South. There’s so much room to build anywhere that it’s hard to imagine such an attitude. The cities may get crowded but there are so many building codes and such that prohibit such building. If you know where they are located I would love it if you would inform me as it’s so interesting. Also it sounds like they could have been in New York where the great influx of immigrants from Ireland and England esp with disputes got the “ire” up!
@@Dotalina33 Hi Dottie, I heard about them on tv, but have found something In Wikipedia for you.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spite_house.
@@petat13 wow. So interesting. Kinda rare but people get icky like that from time to time. Thanks for the link!!!
That was a really fascinating video. Personally I love the possibility of it being the little gnome man’s house, but I’m leaning more to it being a lookout for the nearby graveyard? Thank you for sharing.
Lovely comment Joanna, thank you :-)
You never disappoint with your stories of London Thank you so much
Cheers Bob 🙂
Really well researched.
Thank you!
A talking suit! Hilarious! Those WWII films, both British and American were so unintentionally funny! Great work as always!
Many thanks Martha 😊
I prefer the old facade Rob I must say. Quite a few small houses tucked away in London, cheers
Cheers Dave; yes I completely agree I've no idea why they felt the need to change it so drastically :-( The old one had so much more character. Hope you're keeping well mate.
@@Robslondon it looks like it’s part of a complex extending up to and including the nuns’ house. It appears to have been modified to blend together as a unified property. That’s why no letter box etc.
Bizarre certainly but fascinating. Rob you seem to have endless topics and I always get something out of your yarns. Keep producing.
Many thanks Mike 😉
This was brilliant! I really need to catch up with your uploads as ive been so busy ... I love the details you add into your videos for us..1913! Thank you so much for making this !
It's an absolute pleasure Sonique. Thank you so much for watching; I really appreciate your kind words :-) Thanks again and stay well.
I have it in mind hat my Ma once did a retreat with the Tyburn Convent nuns but she might have just heard mass there once or twice. Most interesting and engaging as always. Thanks.
ps - that picture of kids gazing at the fairy tree could be me (in the late '50s). I absolutely adored, and spent many happy hours in, that playground, or down near the Round Pond at the Kensington High Street end, rolling down the little slope, feedng the ducks and enjoying the kite flyers.
A nice connection to have Paul :-) Thanks for the kind words and stay well.
How extraordinary! Another gem, Rob - thanks a lot. Do we know if the two adjacent houses clad in red brick have the same owner? If so, I'd bet the two houses have been cunningly combined or linked.
Thank you so much! As far as I know the whole set are owned by Tyburn Convent... would be fascinating to know if there's a secret link; I didn't think of that! Cheers and stay well ;-)
This was my thought too. The door would give access round the back to a garden/ outdoor space ?
@@lindalaw5466 Yes, I did try to get around the back but it's inaccessible to the public unfortunately.
@Nicky L good detective work!
@@Robslondon Have you been back by since then to ask at the convention if you could film inside?
Melbourne, Australia has a fairy tree in Fitzroy gardens, with beautiful carvings. You might be interested in 🌟❤️
Thank Sarah, I just had a look... it's delightful! Love the kangaroo, Emu and Koala!
Wonderful Rob
😊🏴☠️
Thank you so much Alan :-) Stay well my friend.
Good photography. Excellent narration. Thank you.
Much appreciated, thank you 😊
I love to see how inside the house is actually, so we can feel how small it is
I'd like to too ;-) I didn't want to intrude though...
Another great video Rob. I'd say the servant quarters is a very good guess, and it makes sense. I'd imagine the convent has some link between them now.
Thanks Paul, and yes good points ;-) Cheers and stay well.
Fascinating story, I had a flat in Hackney but never really explored as much as I should have done.
Thank you John.
@@Robslondon My pleasure, I wonder what a 1 bedroom, ground floor flat in a Georgian terrace with 150' garden would be worth now? lol.
@@johnallen7807 Too painful to think!!
@@Robslondon Too true. My father built our house in 1949 for about £1100, current value on Zoopla £2.7 million! What young couple can afford that but if you're going to allow nearly 1.5 million into the country every year what do you expect?
Cheers mate,another great video.I would say originally a watch tower/look out and then servants quarters 🤔🤔
Thanks Nicholas- the watch tower theory is my favourite ;-) Cheers and stay well.
You are fabulous - this is the second time I've landed on your channel by accident - and watched your content to the end without any trouble at all, such a pleasure - and that's rare these days - you are so good - truly. Psyche aka Psyche Thompson UK 🌹
Thank you so much, your comment made my day 😊 Very much appreciated. Thanks again and stay well.
Very interesting, and appreciated since I’ve never had the chance to visit the UK or London. Who knows what the next chapter may be for the diminutive dwelling, but I certainly hope it’s another remodel; what they did to the façade is criminal - it is so hideous compared to how it looked in the earlier photos.🙀😿
Great comment, thanks so much Jon… and yes, a return to the original look would be nice! Cheers and stay well 😉
I wholeheartedly agree, its early design was far more pleasing.
Fantastic addition to have a clip of the movie in at the end. A bit of a tribute.
Thanks Christina!
Wow, interesting stuff Rob. It would be amazing to see behind the door. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Barry ;-)
I would love ❤ to have a nosey up the apple and pears 🍐 lol. How interesting u should write a book about all these unusual places I'm sure the tourists and general public would love it. I know I'd buy it if not too pricy. I'm a newbie I can't wait to see more not only London but all over the UK. Thanks for sharing
Such a lovely comment thank you! 😊 Believe it or not I have written a book like that; it’s called ‘The Knowledge: Train Your Brain Like a Cabbie’ (published by Quercus) Thanks again and stay well 😉
@@Robslondon ah I will have to find a copy
@@jojosmumdorothy2829 Thanks so much for your kind words and support ☺️
@@Robslondon your very welcome 😀
@@jojosmumdorothy2829 :-)
That’s not a house, it’s the Leaky Cauldron.
😄
My uncle used to live in Hyde Park Mansions, my sister was invited to stay for a week , she was so excited, it sounded so posh . She was very disappointed, it turned out it was a flat, very similar to the Victorian flat we lived in, in the north .
🤣
I've been watching Jools guides for a while now and stumbled upon you lol. Absolutely brilliant! I'm a specialist Decorator for the National Heritage and I've decorated some of the properties in your videos! SUBBED 😇
That means so much to me, thank you! Sounds like you've got an incredible job! A good friend of mine is a pest controller, and he too has seen inside many of these buildings! :-D Thanks again for your kind words; made my day. Cheers and stay well.
How interesting! What a beautifully made video, I really enjoyed this, great job.
Thank you so much :-)
This 'house' looks about as big as some of Tokyo's "smallest apartments" from the building exterior...
I wouldn't be surprised if the building owners covertly modified the building by extending it downwards into a tunnel as if it was like a maze or secret door found in the game "Myst" or "Rivian, the sequel to Myst"...
Great comment 😉
They could build upward too, seem to have space above.
you had me at little gnome like man
😄
That’s a ‘bijou, centrally located desirable option £3000 pcm’ to any London letting agent!
That's cheap Jason, ha ha!! ;-)
@@Robslondon I know, Rob. I live in Dulwich Village and I aspire to rent so low!
@@CorvoFG ;-)
£3000 per month for that? No thanks!
@@scientchahming5 😂
I love this little bit of history and humorous detail of a building.
Thank you JD Watson 🙂
Thanks Robslondon, I must have walked past this place a hundred times and never realised its importance! Oh, how embarrassing. In my defence they say one never completely knows London. Think I better subscribe to your channel now to avoid further embarrassment...
Ha ha! Cheers David, great to have you here ;-)
London never ceases to make me so relieved to live in a wonderful country property with space, outstanding natural beauty and quality of life.
Much agreed :-)
Thanks for the post! I believe I could live here. I adore really tight spaces. 👍
excellent as always. Can't wait and take a look. Incidentally the American friends I mentioned earlier are comming over in the summer and we will spend a day looking at some of the sites you mentioned.
Wayne you should hire Rob for the day, he is a London tour guide.
Thanks Wayne, that means a lot to me. Make sure you show them the Washington statue in Trafalgar Square ;-) And the one of Lincoln in Parliament Square too!
I enjoyed the tour of Old London Town...it inspires me for places to visit when I'm in London thank you. 😊
It's a pleasure Audrey, glad I'm able to help! :-) Thanks and stay well.
Thumbs up Rob.
Thanks.
Much appreciated Mike, cheers ;-)
The Tyburn Convent is an AMAZING place. You are allowed in to the chapel hear the sisters sing The Hours. I wandered in during a Vespers one day and it was like a trove of angels singing on high. It’s free to pop in to the non cloistered chapel when a service is on being sung and anyone would be remiss for not stopping
Brilliant job, thanks for sharing.
It's a pleasure Stephen; thanks for the kind words. Stay well.
A superb piece of London history. I knew nothing about it. Many thanks.
A pleasure Darrien, thank you :-)
Chinese "nail houses" exist where home owners refuse to sell and they build around instead. Some of those are quite humorous!
Many thanks GTW! Yes, I’ve seen examples of those; crazy!
throughout the whole video I was dying to see the inside !!
Sorry A H… would love to see inside too, but it’s private
It's adorable, and just goes to show that people would buy a box if it's in a prime spot.
Ha ha! Yep ;-)
This is why in real estate they say: "Location, location, location!"
I'm pretty sure that water tower house was featured on Grand Designs some years ago. I remember the man who lived there saying that if you left something you needed on the bottom floor, it was a long way down to go and fetch it. 😂
Yep! You're 100% correct ;-)
I don't think these new fangled motor buses will ever catch on. No call for them.
:-D
Rob if you want to go to the smallest house in UK you will have to go North Wales as it is the biggest visitor attraction as well . You can go in to the house but watch your head though .
Thanks Gerard, yes I've see the tiny Welsh house, it's incredible!
Interesting… I used to walk past it all the time and assumed it was part of the building next door because of the bricks
Thanks David 🙂
Hi Rob
I'm kicking myself, my earlier guess was 100 bayswater Rd and tyburn you mentioned both , but the house was bang in the middle, I always thought that the goldhawk road property took the smallest title , again you surprise me, as always love the videos, all the best
Mike
Ha ha! I knew you'd kick yourself Mike ;-) I guess the the Goldhawk Road one could perhaps be classed as the smallest depending on the criteria used to judge it (does it need running water for example?) Cheers and stay well.
Great research and presentation - thanks for sharing this little hidden gem! 💎👌
Many thanks Hidden Gemi :-)
Thank you. I love the tree in the park with the gnomes etc.
I would love to look in the house
Thanks! Yes, it's great isn't it ;-)
Servants quarters is my guess. Cool video as always! 😄
Thanks asheland, I reckon you're right although my favourite is the watch-house theory ;-) Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon thanks again, Rob! 😄
Pure Gold. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Really appreciate that Murray, thank you 😉
I have to say, the refacing doesn seem to have done it any favours.
Much agreed Paul, I don't know what they were thinking. The original had so much more character.
I loved learning about the history of this little house.
Thanks so much Sam :-) Stay well.
I thought I lived in the UK’s smallest house. Then I realised the issue was the ex’s shoe and handbag collection :(
:-D
ha ha ha !!!!
😂😂
@@RetroReminiscing :-D
@@Mia-oj7ro :-)
Thank you for another great video. I will have to look to see where it is. I once lived in Bark Place, off Bayswater Road.
Thank you Scott 😊
Thanks Rob. I’ve often what that little building was. Perhaps I’ll ask the nuns for a peek!
Cheers Marie! Hope they let you in ;-) Do let me know if you get to have a gander!
@@Robslondon will do Rob. You can have a tour of the convent and my Mum has definitely attended a mass there, so you never know!
@@Mia-oj7ro :-)
What a fun story. Thanks for sharing.
It's a pleasure Mossback, thanks for watching :-)
Super thanks!
Thank you 😊
Excellent Rob have missed you, another informative and interesting outing looking forward to seeing some more
Thank you so much Bob 😊 I’m in London as we speak, filming for the next one! Cheers and stay well
I stayed there once. Very uncomfortable, had to sleep standing up. Even the mice were hunchbacked. Put the key in the lock and broke a window. (Old American Jokes). They "In Which We Live" suit thing was a cheeky reference to Noel Cowards wartime masterpiece "In Which We Serve". It begins "This is the story of a ship..."
Ah, didn’t know about that reference! Cheers John 😉
@@Robslondon Must see for any Briton. Trust me.
If I were to walk by without realising that it was a separate home, I'd assume it was another entrance to the brick home, given that it has the same exterior and they're attached.
I wonder if you would cover Tobacco Dock in Wapping, that is if you haven't done so already? My wife and I chanced upon the two 'ships' there on a ramble to Pelican Steps and would love to know more about that area.
I do indeed have Tobacco Dock down for a future video; it's a great idea and a place that has always fascinated me! I wrote a post about it on my old website a long, long time ago- blackcablondon.net/2013/02/26/tobacco-dock-wappings-ghostly-mall/ and definitely want to update that. Thanks for the suggestion and stay well.
@@Robslondon Thank you and especially for the link. All the best!
@@stationsixtyseven67 A pleasure; many thanks for the support ;-)
fascinating! I lived nearby to there during my time in London and this place always fascinated me!
Thanks Sally :-)
I hate to think how much the rent is
Lol my thoughts exactly, specifically when I saw the convertible Bentley drive by. Must be a pretty ritzy area.
Me too !!