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Saturday, 30 March 2013

The Belgravia district

By Rachel Knols


Belgravia is a district located in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Central London. Surrounded by Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace Road, Grosvenor Place, Sloane Street and Pimlico Road, Belgravia has its own peaceful atmosphere. It offers its residents the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful and calm environment amid the hectic city life. However, this is not the case for the neighbourhoods that surround it. There, because of the numerous office blocks, hotels and entertainment venues, you will observe the typical chaotic and busy city life.

Postcodes

Belgravia was named after Belgrave- a village on the Grosvenor family's estate in Leicestershire. At present, the district takes up 400 acres of land, and the postcodes that define it are SW1X, SW1W.

Area history

In Belgravia, the Victorians were influenced by the Italian style. Most of the houses were first covered in stucco and were only later painted. Throughout the Georgian period, the buildings had brick facades that were usually made on site. The present construction in the district is aiming to keep the overall style as it is by copying the mews houses. However, it is mainly building private gated buildings with a smaller size that would best satisfy the needs of a modern family.

Famous residents

In 1764, at the age of 8, Mozart wrote his first symphony while he was staying in Belgravia's Ebury Street. The whole area is now unofficially known as "The Mozart square" in his honour. Also, the actress Vivien Leigh spent her life at 53 Eaton Square. Her role in Gone with the Wind (1939), that won her an Academy Award, is what made her famous.

Transport Networks

In Belgravia there are many types of transport: the Tube, train or bus. Moreover, because the transportation network is exceptionally well connected, there are links to destinations inside the city and the rest of the UK. If you wish to travel to the South or South East part of the UK, you should pick a train from the Victoria Station, Southeastern, Gatwick Express or Southern.

Underground station

From Belgravia you can easily go to any part of London using the four major lines- Victoria, Circle, District Lines and Piccadilly. The underground stations you can go to are Victoria, Sloane Square and Green Park (all in zone 1).

Airport Travel

Travelling to the London airports- Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton- is very easy because of the Victoria Coach Station. It is one of the most significant stations in London, and from there you can also travel to many other domestic and foreign destinations.

Attractions in Belgravia

The shopping area known as Collonade Place, located on the southern perimeter in the residential area, is well-known for its wares. In the middle of Belgravia you will find Ebury Square. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in London.

Gardens and Square

Named after the philanthropist Grosvenor family, the Lower and Upper Grosvenor Gardens are some of the most spectacular gardens in London. You can also see the bronze Statue of Mozart that is the centrepiece of the Orange Square which can be found in the western side of Belgravia.




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