Regular follower of my London Shoes stuff, whether it be on Facebook / Website / X or this Instagram feed, will be aware that a few weeks back my London Shoes stumbled upon a very quirky London landmark……namely a ‘Post Box Eating Tree’ in Fitz-George Avenue, within the W14 post code district.
Well – would you Adam & Eve it – the other day my London Shoes stumbled upon yet another post box in a London street, being consumed by a tree – this time in Drayton Gardens–South Kensington-London SW10.
Drayton Gardens in Chelsea, evolved from a posh rural Victorian suburb, into a prime central London address.
At the junction of Drayton Gardens & Priory Walk (South Kensington-London SW10), there stands another Edwardian post box that’s being swallowed by a massive London Plane tree. With its Edwardian cypher emblazoned on the front, the post box would probably have been put into service around 1901–1910.
As the grand London Plane tree started growing, it’s bark and roots curled themselves around this cast iron post box.
The post box in question is the responsibility of the Royal Mail, whilst the tree is the responsibility of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, who are keeping a close eye on its development.
Even though its slowly being eaten by the tree, the post box is very much still in service – and providing the tree can control its hunger pangs – long may it continue
This kind of quirky ‘find’ fits perfectly within the London Shoes criteria of being a lesser known and more unusual aspect of London’s history – and although this is only a short & sweet Shoes publication – I felt the 2 ‘post box eating trees’ I’ve covered off in recent weeks – deserved to be highlighted and written about!!
So – having traipsed through the streets of ‘Saaf Ken’ to track down this particular post box, on what the Sun newspaper would describe as being a ‘Phew-what a scorcher’ of a day–my London Shoes were in need of a little liquid refreshment, and so I checked out the nearby “Hollywood Arms” pub in Hollywood Street London W10.
Built in 1865 the Hollywood Arms was constructed in a Gothic architectural style. It has 2 entrances and what was once a carriageway, alongside it.
The site the pub is built on, has a bit of quirky history behind it, as back in 1784, it was the site of one of Britain’s earliest manned balloon ascents – undertaken by the famous French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard – hence the reason for the balloon characterised wall paper on the 1st floor near the toilets.
In 2006 the pub was acquired by ‘Young & Co’ brewery, and underwent an extensive redevelopment and refurb.
The Hollywood Arms is now has Grade II Listed protection, and is now very much an up-market gastro-pub – although many of the original Victorian fixtures & fittings are still in situ.
So – that’s the Drayton Gardens ‘Post Box eating Tree’ for ya – I wonder how many more I can find on my travels?
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The other day my London Shoes stumbled upon yet another post box in a London street, being consumed by a tree – this time in Drayton Gardens-South Kensington-London SW10.
This post-box eating tree is located at the Drayton Gardens – Priory Walk junction
As the London Plane tree started growing, it’s bark and roots curled themselves around this cast iron post box and began to swallow it.
The Drayton Gardens/Priory walk post box is the responsibility of the Royal Mail, whilst the tree is the responsibility of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, who are keeping a close eye on its development
With its Edwardian cypher emblazoned on the front, the post box would probably have been put into service around 1901–1910.
Even though its slowly being eaten by the tree, the post box is very much still in service – and providing the tree can control its hunger pangs – long may it continue
Me & my London Shoes – at the post box eating tree site – Drayton Gardens-South Kensington-London SW10
The “Hollywood Arms” pub in Hollywood Street – London W10.
The Hollywood Arms pub was built in 1865.
It has 2 entrances and what was once a carriageway, alongside it.
The pub is constructed in a Gothic architectural
Inside the Hollywood Arms pub – London SW10
Inside the Hollywood Arms pub – London SW10
The site the Hollywood Arms pub is built on, has a bit of quirky history behind it, as back in 1784, it was the site of one of Britain’s earliest manned balloon ascents – undertaken by the famous French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard – hence the reason for the balloon characterised wall paper on the 1st floor near the toilets.
A lovely cool refreshing ‘cheeky’ lager – just begging to be consumed in the Hollywood Arms pub SW10
Me & my London Shoes necking down a ‘cheeky’ beer in the Hollywood arms pub – London SW10