I am a native Texan and this is a beautiful little location in London. I live with a bikes ride of our first national capital here in Texas after independence from Mexico . Thank you for this little piece of Texas history!
Someone once told me that Pickering Place was know colloquially as "Bickering Place" and I thought they were pulling my leg, but hearing about duelling, bombings other skirmishes I'm not surprised it acquired that nickname! Thanks for another wonderful video Rob
How interesting to find this video a week after I visited this place for the first ever time! Definitely didn’t know so much about it, I was visiting places connected to Beau Brummell. I feel it’s worth a second look 🙂
What a joy. I went to cook my dinner, came back and there is a Rob video ready to watch. Excellent. Lovely little place with a rich history. Incredible what history has been created and ebbed away over time. Thats why I love these videos, you bring the places backto life somewhat and they are really interesting to watch and listen too. All the best.
Not only do I really enjoy Robs video gems, his pleasant delivery and local history knowledge lends itself to making this channel one of my favourites. Yet another destination for the bucket list. Thanks!
Wonderful Rob, just wonderful. I used to traipse around St James's on my way to work in the morning and one day I stumbled upon Pickering Place. What I didn't know about was centuries of shenanigans that occurred there. That so much went on in such a small area is extraordinary. Thank you once again for a masterful bit of storytelling. I have always loved the ancient paintwork on Berry Bros wine shop. Never been stripped, just layer after layer of crusty old paint. St James's is a really lovely area to explore.
Fascinating, as always. I didn't know about this one, either. I'd like to hear more about the poverty map you mentioned in another video. Brydges Pl i think it was
I have previously watched other Videos about Pickering Place on UA-cam and yours is by far the best in every aspect. I am already looking forward to your next History lesson and I hope more people find this gem of a channel.
Fascinating stuff Rob. I have seen a few vlogs that included Pickering Place but none as extensively researched as yours. Really liked the transitions you did in this one too. I will be back in the UK from Canada in April and will be visiting Pickering Place when I am in London. Cheers again for the time and effort you put into these very interesting videos.
I don't know if this is urban legend but Pickering Place used to be (and still is) the last public place in London where the street lights are lit by methane gas from the sewers running below, alongside Kensington Palace Gardens, though this is technically a private road..
Once again Rob, a truly fascinating post, I cannot recall how many times I have past Berry bros and rudd, I always look at it as I pass by, I simply love the building as it creaks and groans laden down with so much history But until now had no idea that such a beautiful square was concealed behind, a truly enlightening post Thank you
Last of the day - and another great one. It was brilliant to find such a small square was stuffed with history, characters, scandal, drama, bigwigs and bombs! How you manage to find the time to discover all these places with fascinating facts, film, script, edit and present I reckon turns you into a Super Man! Thanks for such another interesting video and continuing to entertain us in a relaxing and pleasurable way. Rob
Hi Rob. Another wonderfully evocative video. I used to walk by Berry Bros in my lunch hour when I worked in Mayfair and I had no idea I could have been seconds from such a place of such rich hidden history. Every school in the UK needs a history teacher like you to bring alive social history, you would inspire so many kids (and us oldies)!!!!
Where do you dig up all this fascinating stuff, Rob?! This is an absolute gem! I was engaged from start to finish - as I am with all your documentaries - with the sordid but colourful history of this tiny backwater of London. You always tell the story so well and in such vivid detail...and with a great depth of research. (BTW: The name Smead is really unusual, and I wonder whether a Mr Smead, with whom I worked many decades ago in a newspaper print works, might have distant ancestral connections...) Thanks again for such an interesting journey into another of London's quirky locations - more please!
It's an absolute pleasure Richard, thank you so much! I love researching these videos; it's almost like archeology in a way as digging up a bit of info is a real buzz. Smead is indeed an unusual name, like something out of Dickens... wouldn't surprise me if there was a connection with the fellow you worked with! Thanks again Richard and stay well.
My first job when I left school was delivering telegram's in London, and I'm sure I've been to Pickering Place. This was in the early seventies and I was mainly based around Soho which was a right dive at that time, although one did meet some interesting characters! 😊
@@Robslondon Don't know about great Rob, it was a scruffy old place at that time, mainly porn shops and prostitutes 😂. Used to see a few old actors knocking about and people in the music business because there was a couple of small recording studios around there. I only stuck the job for about 18 months then went into the building trade.👍
@@tonycox5625 Yes, it's difficult to believe now isn't it how seedy it once was around there! I don't think a newcomer to London would believe it if you told them!
Excellent! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I stay occasionally at the O&C Club around the corner and visit Berry Bros to pick up a bottle of port. I have sometimes visited that court and read the Texan Plaque, I knew a few things but you have much enriched my knowledge. My gratitude to you sir 😊
Well done Rob, up to your usual high standard. I must have walked past the entrance a dozen times over the years, never noticed it! Good info clearly and knowledgably presented. More!
Cracking little video. Thank you. I remember stumbling into pickering place many moons ago. It's a fascinating little oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of London.
Many thanks Melvin... do feel free to go and have a look! If I remember rightly, there used to be a gate there (I didn't notice it on this visit), but it is certainly open to the public. Thanks again and stay well.
Hi Rob, thank you for a genuinely fascinating video about a beautiful and hidden part of London. Had you thought of doing a video about the streets and the alleyways and that criss-cross Clerkenwell?
Thank you! Clerkenwell is a fascinating area... Bleeding Heart Yard will be covered at some point for sure (most likely in a pubs episode) Will see what else I can do around there too! Cheers and stay well.
I think I ventured in this court one lunch time years ago when I worked in Westminster. Thanks for reminding me of this unspoilt spot and of the interesting area of St James's.
yet again great fun and interesting video rob i must pop down there and have a look would not be surprised if pickering place was full of robslondon subscibers keep these lovely vids coming all the best rob
Ha ha!! Cheers Andy... yes, I am worried that it's going to get a bit full up down now there as lots of people seem keen to go and have a look!! :-D Thanks again mate and stay well.
rob, i was just at your etsy store - i didn’t see a mug with the pigeon graphic screen that is at the end of your videos. i’d definitely like to buy one.
@@hellie_el Thanks so much for this! I’ll try and put one together. I’m actually trying to put merchandise on the UA-cam channel at the moment, so it may appear here. You may be interested to know that I have a name for the pigeon; I call him ‘Tooley’ 😉🐦 Thanks again; really appreciate your support.
@@hellie_el Sure! He's named after Tooley Street near London Bridge. I originally created him for a children's story I had in mind, but I doubt that will ever get written now! Thanks so much for asking; it's lovely to see people notice him :-)
Hello Rob Great video. We have been there. In 2018 we stumbled apon it when the store on the left was a Taylors called the Kingman from the movie. I have three pictures, one of the square with sun dial, one of the Texas plaque and one of the back of Kingsman store. I knew most of the histories except about the Hell's. The Hell's are what 500 yards from St James palace the official home of Royalty. I would not have ventured into a Hell. Now would Beau Brummel, my reaction is no he would have gone to one of the higher class gentlemen's clubs. Poor Beau dying in France penny less. Love the video. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
The building to the right of the corridor as you enter the square is the old Republic of Texas Embassy to England. Sadly it does not appear to be open to the public anymore. As a Native Texan it was required pilgrimage I found a little disappointing not to be able to enter. The Texas Embassy in Paris is now a hotel located two blocks north of the Louvre. Sadly I had not seen this video prior to my visit to Pickering Place. Very happy I have seen it.
Easily one of my favourite channels. Another fantastic video and I’m only half way through it! I am without doubt going to visit it the next time I’m in town. Thanks Rob. Smashed it as always. 👊🏼👍🏼
That means so much to me Richard; thank you. It’s incredibly kind words like yours that keep me going! Thanks again mate; really do appreciate it- stay well 😉
Thank you. Fascinating. I subscribed recently, and very glad I did. Gave this video a like, of course. I lived in London, in Bayswater, and I don't think I had ever even heard of Pickering Place. Edit; Could you do a video on Whitehall sometime, please? Not a Ripper video, just about the streets and alleyways and the inhabitants. Thank you very much.
Fascinating! And, as a Texan, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the Republic of Texas had a Legation in Pickering Place, as well as Paris. I knew that France had a Legation in Austin, Texas, as I have visited it a few times. Did England have one, also, I wonder? Looks like I have some Googling to do! Thanks for another fine piece of infotainment!
That was brilliant Rob. St James's is my favourite part of London, and holds so much history. Congratulations on doing such a magnificent job, digging out all the history of that wonderful square. Al Bowlly, the singer died not far from there, in his flat that overlooked Jermyn Street, and of course, on Jermyn Street, was the famous London Hammam, which gave Penhaligon's it's famous scent called Hammam Bouquet, dated from 1872, and still available today. It would be great if you could make more videos about St James's, and feature the old established shops in the area.
Thanks Barry; great thoughts. I didn't know Al Bowlly died on Jermyn Street. I'd love to do more about the shops in that area; hoping that when I'm a bit more established, they'll allow me inside to film! Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon Al lived in a 2nd floor flat in Dukes Court, 32 Duke Street, that overlooked Jermyn Street. If the building was still there today, it would looked across to Dunhills. Al had been reading in bed, even though there was an air raid on. A landmine landed outside his building in Jermyn Street, and it killed him outright. He was found on the floor of his flat.
ANother great video. I did know about Pickering Place and visited it the last time I was in London. It's such a cool and atmospheric space! I love hearing about the secret and out of the way places. I'd love to see a video on cloth fair and the area. There are some beautifully preserved buildings and neat little alleyways around there.
First time I've come across your channel. Thoroughly enjoyed this episode and will now investigate the rest - binge watching!! London is my favourite place in the world and I'm praying that it will return to its former 'wonderfulness' when the C-19 nightmare is over, and I can once again visit in complete freedom. Subscribed!!
Thank you so much David; really appreciate your kind words; it's wonderful to have you here! Things do seem to be returning to normal in London now. I remember being there just a few days before the first lockdown was announced in 2020... it was the eeriest experience I'd ever known; nobody was about and you could hear birdsong as if it were in the countryside. On my past few visits it was like being back in the old days, so things are hopefully on the mend. Thanks again David; stay well my friend.
I really enjoyed your film, exc to hear of some of the detail of the place. I wonder who or what owns the particular properties these days, if only we cld see some footage of interiors. Well done, much appreciated.
Thank you Rob yet another interesting video, it would have been good to see this 6 months ago, for the last time I walked down Pall Mall and pointed out the reform club to my friend but was not aware of Pickering Square. Look forward to the next video
Another top one, Robslondon. Those walks down the passage to Pickering Place (repeatedly) remind me of the alley off Fleet St to the Olde Cheshire Cheese. All paneled and things.
Another great video Rob, thank you so much for making these. Your videos are very interesting, and your narration is so warm and friendly as well. Great job & looking forward to your next one
If only there were more squares like this in London, too bad that 1930s-1990s and onwards urban planners decided that roads should be wide with fairly narrow pavements and low-density developments, also too bad that the original tramway network closed in 1952; so what I'm essentially saying is that more of London should be built like the area around pickering place and other pre-war central London developments...
There are more than you probably know. The only real way to discover these gems is often by chance. It's been some time since I frequented London (25 years perhaps a little longer), but I'm sure these places still exist. Generally however, I agree completely with your comment. Property is so expensive now, that many places have simply been swallowed up. It's a real shame.
@@gunner678 There probably are more places like this unfortunately only inside the city centre as the outskirts have been slowly demolished into a car-centric urban jungle where it takes you like a 30min drive or a 1 hour bus journey to the nearest large shopping development (i.e. supermarket, hypermarket etc.) I must also say that London hasn't changed much in the past 20 years now besides changing demographics and a few new tall buildings having been built inside Central London and the Suburbs and some small-scale road design changes in a few places...
Hi Rob, well you did it again for me as a new subbed and going through your past postings. Now I could live in a courtyard like that, bang in the middle of everything but tucked away from the noise of the road etc. Big 👍👍👍👌 Cheers DougT in Mancs.
Thanks Rob. I’ve walked passed that alleyway numerous times and never knew there was such a hidden gem there. Will definitely take a look when I’m next in St James.
Fascinating. One of my friends buys wine from Berry Bros and Rudd. I really love these videos about London in earlier days/centuries. During family research at the National Archives in Kew, London, I used their bookshop and bought lots of old maps of areas where my ancestors lived or worked. I also bought maps of very early London - it's astonishing just how small the City of London was hundreds of years ago. E❤
Hi asheland- that's a great idea (I think any film on the livery halls would be). Only problem would be filming inside- maybe when I'm a little more established I'll be granted permission ;-) Will keep it in mimd.
I knew an English nurse who was sketched, with her twin brother, as babies, by Kathleen? Shackleton. I saw both sketches in her home. Kathleen was a family friend. I'm guessing in the 30's? (I am guessing it was Kathleen. I was just told the sketches were done by Ernest Shackleton's sister). The nurse had a doctor father who joined the army, in WW2, as an officer in the medical corps. Of course, the scandal of the little, gay brother Shackleton, and his links to the Irish Crown Jewels, is a great story.
@@Robslondon I looked at the sketches, many a time. Very pretty babies. Her twin brother has been dead, 20ish years? She was alive 10 years ago, but I lost contact. And I recall the Shackleton signature, but can't remember if there was a K or Kathleen... or indeed, another initial. But the sketches WERE professional quality.
Really enjoyable video. Crammed full of facts! I’ve read Grhame Greenes The Third Man so that was also an interesting snippet of information.
Thanks so much Josh! Stay well.
Fascinating stuff, who would have thought that such a small place would have so much history.
Thanks 😊 It is a great little spot!
Thank You, Fascinating!
I am a native Texan and this is a beautiful little location in London. I live with a bikes ride of our first national capital here in Texas after independence from Mexico . Thank you for this little piece of Texas history!
Lovely comment, thank you! ⭐️
@@Robslondon Your great videos continually remind me of how 'new' our cities are! Reminds me of that great song, "Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner"!
i wasn,t expecting a vid just yet.I,d best get on and watch it.
Cheers.
Ha ha! Cheers Mike hope you liked it! 😉
As a lifelong Londoner, I love that you find new and interesting things to tell me about my city 👍👍👍
Cheers ;-) I am obsessed with exploring this great city as you can probably tell! ;-) Thanks and stay well.
@@Robslondon
👌🤞
@@Robslondona
Someone once told me that Pickering Place was know colloquially as "Bickering Place" and I thought they were pulling my leg, but hearing about duelling, bombings other skirmishes I'm not surprised it acquired that nickname! Thanks for another wonderful video Rob
Ah! Didn’t know that, but it makes perfect sense! Thanks for the kind words 😊
That's always fascinating square . Thank you for the history of it .
Thank you Annette
How interesting to find this video a week after I visited this place for the first ever time! Definitely didn’t know so much about it, I was visiting places connected to Beau Brummell. I feel it’s worth a second look 🙂
Have fun on your second visit ;-)
What a joy. I went to cook my dinner, came back and there is a Rob video ready to watch. Excellent.
Lovely little place with a rich history. Incredible what history has been created and ebbed away over time. Thats why I love these videos, you bring the places backto life somewhat and they are really interesting to watch and listen too.
All the best.
Thank you so much John; you’re a star 😉 Really appreciate your kind words and support. Stay well.
Not only do I really enjoy Robs video gems, his pleasant delivery and local history knowledge lends itself to making this channel one of my favourites. Yet another destination for the bucket list. Thanks!
It's an absolute pleasure; thank you so much for the kind words! Stay well and hope you enjoy your visit! :-)
I always visit this place as l walk up to the London Library. I had no idea how much history it possesses. Thank you.
It’s a pleasure Jacqueline; thank you ☺️
What a quaint, hidden location. What kind of lighting, would this tiny square possessed in the late 19th century?
Thanks Patrick! Would’ve been gas I assume
Very interesting, well done.
Thank you ☺️
Wonderful Rob, just wonderful. I used to traipse around St James's on my way to work in the morning and one day I stumbled upon Pickering Place. What I didn't know about was centuries of shenanigans that occurred there. That so much went on in such a small area is extraordinary. Thank you once again for a masterful bit of storytelling. I have always loved the ancient paintwork on Berry Bros wine shop. Never been stripped, just layer after layer of crusty old paint. St James's is a really lovely area to explore.
Cheers John! The King's Wardrobe is an excellent idea, I'll add it to the list! Thanks so much for your support.
Fascinating, as always. I didn't know about this one, either. I'd like to hear more about the poverty map you mentioned in another video. Brydges Pl i think it was
Thank you
I have previously watched other Videos about Pickering Place on UA-cam and yours is by far the best in every aspect. I am already looking forward to your next History lesson and I hope more people find this gem of a channel.
Cheers! 😉
Another great video Rob!
Thank you ☺️
So quaint 🤗 I lived in Claremont Square Islington all my life which is famous for the Harry Potter film. I live in Essex now
Thanks so much Sarah! Yes, I know Claremont Square; lovely architecture around there and very leafy too. Stay well.
How charming - both the square & this video. Thank you.
😊
Wonderful stuff yet again. Thank you.
Much appreciated Paul, thank you. It’s a pleasure, so glad you enjoyed it!
I must d have passed this a dozen times and not known it was there, thank you for this history.
It’s a pleasure Raphael; thanks for watching 😊
Thanks!
Thank you so much Jay, much appreciated ☺️
Fascinating stuff Rob. I have seen a few vlogs that included Pickering Place but none as extensively researched as yours. Really liked the transitions you did in this one too. I will be back in the UK from Canada in April and will be visiting Pickering Place when I am in London. Cheers again for the time and effort you put into these very interesting videos.
It's a pleasure L; thank you so much. It's kind support like yours that keeps them coming! ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon cheers. Lance
Yet another hidden gem, thanks for sharing.
Thank you Stephen; really appreciate your kind words. Stay well.
I don't know if this is urban legend but Pickering Place used to be (and still is) the last public place in London where the street lights are lit by methane gas from the sewers running below, alongside Kensington Palace Gardens, though this is technically a private road..
Once again Rob, a truly fascinating post, I cannot recall how many times I have past Berry bros and rudd, I always look at it as I pass by, I simply love the building as it creaks and groans laden down with so much history
But until now had no idea that such a beautiful square was concealed behind, a truly enlightening post
Thank you
It’s a pleasure Mike, thank you… a good excuse to get back to Berry Bros I’d say 😉 Cheers and stay well.
Another little gem Rob.
Thank you so much Suzanne 😊
Last of the day - and another great one. It was brilliant to find such a small square was stuffed with history, characters, scandal, drama, bigwigs and bombs! How you manage to find the time to discover all these places with fascinating facts, film, script, edit and present I reckon turns you into a Super Man! Thanks for such another interesting video and continuing to entertain us in a relaxing and pleasurable way.
Rob
Thanks as always Rob! This video is one of my personal favourites 😉 Have a good evening and stay well.
Hi Rob. Another wonderfully evocative video. I used to walk by Berry Bros in my lunch hour when I worked in Mayfair and I had no idea I could have been seconds from such a place of such rich hidden history.
Every school in the UK needs a history teacher like you to bring alive social history, you would inspire so many kids (and us oldies)!!!!
Oh, thank you so much Cheryl- what a lovely comment; made my day! Thanks so much for your kind words and support, I really appreciate it. Stay well.
Cheryl what a wonderfully inspiring comment.
Where do you dig up all this fascinating stuff, Rob?! This is an absolute gem! I was engaged from start to finish - as I am with all your documentaries - with the sordid but colourful history of this tiny backwater of London. You always tell the story so well and in such vivid detail...and with a great depth of research. (BTW: The name Smead is really unusual, and I wonder whether a Mr Smead, with whom I worked many decades ago in a newspaper print works, might have distant ancestral connections...) Thanks again for such an interesting journey into another of London's quirky locations - more please!
It's an absolute pleasure Richard, thank you so much! I love researching these videos; it's almost like archeology in a way as digging up a bit of info is a real buzz. Smead is indeed an unusual name, like something out of Dickens... wouldn't surprise me if there was a connection with the fellow you worked with! Thanks again Richard and stay well.
Excellent video.
Thank you so much 😊
My first job when I left school was delivering telegram's in London, and I'm sure I've been to Pickering Place. This was in the early seventies and I was mainly based around Soho which was a right dive at that time, although one did meet some interesting characters! 😊
Oh wow! Bet you've got some great memories Tony!
@@Robslondon Don't know about great Rob, it was a scruffy old place at that time, mainly porn shops and prostitutes 😂. Used to see a few old actors knocking about and people in the music business because there was a couple of small recording studios around there. I only stuck the job for about 18 months then went into the building trade.👍
@@tonycox5625 Yes, it's difficult to believe now isn't it how seedy it once was around there! I don't think a newcomer to London would believe it if you told them!
Excellent! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I stay occasionally at the O&C Club around the corner and visit Berry Bros to pick up a bottle of port. I have sometimes visited that court and read the Texan Plaque, I knew a few things but you have much enriched my knowledge. My gratitude to you sir 😊
It is an absolute pleasure! Thanks for the lovely comment, really enjoyed reading it :-)
Always interesting. Thanks again John in Chicago
Thanks John
Very good, so many transformations throughout the years, liked the card games with Dodgy Gin n cheating mirrors on sticks, 😊👍
Cheers Dave! Stay well.
Thankyou. I thoroughly enjoyed your video and will be subscribing.
Thank you, it’s good to have you here 😊
Well done Rob, up to your usual high standard. I must have walked past the entrance a dozen times over the years, never noticed it! Good info clearly and knowledgably presented. More!
Thank you so much; really appreciate your kind words 😊
I've just stumbled across this brilliant channel. So fascinating, it makes me want to get up and jump on the tube!
Thank you so much 😊
Yep been there, thanks for the information
It's a pleasure; cheers Paul. Stay well.
Cracking little video. Thank you. I remember stumbling into pickering place many moons ago. It's a fascinating little oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of London.
Many thanks Matthew; glad you enjoyed it! Stay well.
@@Robslondon you too. Keep up the good work!
another amazing video! thank you!
It's a pleasure; thank you so much Sarah Louise.
I found this place randomly on a wander around London with my camera back around 2014. I took a photo of the alleyway. An interesting history👍🏼
Cheers! :-)
Quite fascinating, it looks like a private court yard which why I have walked past it in the past.
Many thanks Melvin... do feel free to go and have a look! If I remember rightly, there used to be a gate there (I didn't notice it on this visit), but it is certainly open to the public. Thanks again and stay well.
Hi Rob, thank you for a genuinely fascinating video about a beautiful and hidden part of London. Had you thought of doing a video about the streets and the alleyways and that criss-cross Clerkenwell?
Thank you! Clerkenwell is a fascinating area... Bleeding Heart Yard will be covered at some point for sure (most likely in a pubs episode) Will see what else I can do around there too! Cheers and stay well.
I think I ventured in this court one lunch time years ago when I worked in Westminster. Thanks for reminding me of this unspoilt spot and of the interesting area of St James's.
Thanks Tim; it's a pleasure. Stay well.
Another lovely video Rob, thank you. I wouldn’t have gone to the gambling dens, far too dangerous for me! 😅 😊❤
🤣
Well beyond fascinating. Thank you !
Really appreciate that Al, thank you. Stay well.
I think I’ve be been here before. Nice little spot. Didn’t know too much about it’s history though.
Thanks for the interesting information 😉
Cheers Basil!
yet again great fun and interesting video rob
i must pop down there and have a look
would not be surprised if pickering place was full of
robslondon subscibers
keep these lovely vids coming
all the best rob
Ha ha!! Cheers Andy... yes, I am worried that it's going to get a bit full up down now there as lots of people seem keen to go and have a look!! :-D Thanks again mate and stay well.
What a remarkable and encouraging comment, buy that man a pint.
thank you rob for another charming video. :)
Thank you much 😊
rob, i was just at your etsy store - i didn’t see a mug with the pigeon graphic screen that is at the end of your videos. i’d definitely like to buy one.
@@hellie_el Thanks so much for this! I’ll try and put one together. I’m actually trying to put merchandise on the UA-cam channel at the moment, so it may appear here. You may be interested to know that I have a name for the pigeon; I call him ‘Tooley’ 😉🐦 Thanks again; really appreciate your support.
@@Robslondon i’ll be keeping an eye out for tooley! (can you share how he got his name?)
@@hellie_el Sure! He's named after Tooley Street near London Bridge. I originally created him for a children's story I had in mind, but I doubt that will ever get written now! Thanks so much for asking; it's lovely to see people notice him :-)
I visited after watching this when found myself having dinner nearby. Fabulous video and I loved seeing it in real life.
Lovely comment, thank you :-)
Hello Rob
Great video. We have been there. In 2018 we stumbled apon it when the store on the left was a Taylors called the Kingman from the movie. I have three pictures, one of the square with sun dial, one of the Texas plaque and one of the back of Kingsman store. I knew most of the histories except about the Hell's. The Hell's are what 500 yards from St James palace the official home of Royalty. I would not have ventured into a Hell. Now would Beau Brummel, my reaction is no he would have gone to one of the higher class gentlemen's clubs. Poor Beau dying in France penny less. Love the video. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
Lovely comment, thank you so much Chris. I didn't realise there was a connection with the Kingsman movie! Cheers and stay well.
Very interesting many thanks Rob 👌🙏
Thanks so much Louise :-) It's a pleasure; cheers and stay well.
Thank you for your Time and effort to help us open our eyes and really see some of the most historical places in London
It's an absolute pleasure; thank you so much for watching.
The building to the right of the corridor as you enter the square is the old Republic of Texas Embassy to England. Sadly it does not appear to be open to the public anymore. As a Native Texan it was required pilgrimage I found a little disappointing not to be able to enter. The Texas Embassy in Paris is now a hotel located two blocks north of the Louvre.
Sadly I had not seen this video prior to my visit to Pickering Place. Very happy I have seen it.
Yes.... I cover the Republic of Texas Embassy in the video. Glad you were able to see it :-)
Easily one of my favourite channels. Another fantastic video and I’m only half way through it! I am without doubt going to visit it the next time I’m in town.
Thanks Rob. Smashed it as always. 👊🏼👍🏼
That means so much to me Richard; thank you. It’s incredibly kind words like yours that keep me going! Thanks again mate; really do appreciate it- stay well 😉
@@Robslondon very welcome Rob. I absolutely love what you’re doing. Keep it up. Can’t wait for more. 👍🏼
@@SixthQuarter Cheers Richard
Fun history of hidden hideaways of London. Thankyou.
Thank you Calvin; it's a pleasure. Stay well.
Thank you for sharing another great and interesting video once again. I like it very much.👍👍👍❤️❤️
It's a pleasure; thank you so much for watching Sharon!
Great work, thank you.
Much appreciated Kenneth; thank you.
Thank you for another well researched and interesting video. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
Cheers Scott; always a pleasure to have Aussies here ;-) Thanks so much for the kind words; stay well.
@@Robslondon no worries. Have a good day.
These are very interesting to listen to never heard of this before
Thank you Lyn :-)
Thank you. Fascinating. I subscribed recently, and very glad I did. Gave this video a like, of course. I lived in London, in Bayswater, and I don't think I had ever even heard of Pickering Place. Edit; Could you do a video on Whitehall sometime, please? Not a Ripper video, just about the streets and alleyways and the inhabitants. Thank you very much.
Hi Laura, thank you much. Yes that’s a good subject choice, I’ll see what I can do 😉 Thanks again and stay well.
Fascinating! And, as a Texan, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the Republic of Texas had a Legation in Pickering Place, as well as Paris. I knew that France had a Legation in Austin, Texas, as I have visited it a few times. Did England have one, also, I wonder? Looks like I have some Googling to do! Thanks for another fine piece of infotainment!
Lovely comment Kelli, thank you 😊
Wonderful, just wonderful Rob. Fascinating content and superb edit. Cheers!
Much appreciated John, thank you!
That was brilliant Rob. St James's is my favourite part of London, and holds so much history. Congratulations on doing such a magnificent job, digging out all the history of that wonderful square. Al Bowlly, the singer died not far from there, in his flat that overlooked Jermyn Street, and of course, on Jermyn Street, was the famous London Hammam, which gave Penhaligon's it's famous scent called Hammam Bouquet, dated from 1872, and still available today. It would be great if you could make more videos about St James's, and feature the old established shops in the area.
Thanks Barry; great thoughts. I didn't know Al Bowlly died on Jermyn Street. I'd love to do more about the shops in that area; hoping that when I'm a bit more established, they'll allow me inside to film! Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon Al lived in a 2nd floor flat in Dukes Court, 32 Duke Street, that overlooked Jermyn Street. If the building was still there today, it would looked across to Dunhills. Al had been reading in bed, even though there was an air raid on. A landmine landed outside his building in Jermyn Street, and it killed him outright. He was found on the floor of his flat.
@@barrywa39 Thanks so much for this; that’s a fascinating bit of history. Heartbreaking too… Stay well.
ANother great video. I did know about Pickering Place and visited it the last time I was in London. It's such a cool and atmospheric space! I love hearing about the secret and out of the way places. I'd love to see a video on cloth fair and the area. There are some beautifully preserved buildings and neat little alleyways around there.
Thank you so much Stephanie- and Cloth Fair is a good idea, I’ll add it to my list! Thanks again and stay well 😊
So interesting, thank you Rob! I will be sure to visit Pickering Place next time I'm in London, I'm a big fan of Graham Greene.
Thank you so much Rita! If you’re a fan then a visit is a must! 😉 Stay well.
First time I've come across your channel. Thoroughly enjoyed this episode and will now investigate the rest - binge watching!! London is my favourite place in the world and I'm praying that it will return to its former 'wonderfulness' when the C-19 nightmare is over, and I can once again visit in complete freedom. Subscribed!!
Thank you so much David; really appreciate your kind words; it's wonderful to have you here!
Things do seem to be returning to normal in London now. I remember being there just a few days before the first lockdown was announced in 2020... it was the eeriest experience I'd ever known; nobody was about and you could hear birdsong as if it were in the countryside. On my past few visits it was like being back in the old days, so things are hopefully on the mend.
Thanks again David; stay well my friend.
@@Robslondon Many thanks for your reply! You'll also find an Etsy order. Brilliant!!
Are you the Dave Evans from Watford?
@@iwasglad122 Really appreciate that David, thank you! Hope you like the item! Thanks again and stay well.
@@thewrecker3140 No, sorry!
I really enjoyed your film, exc to hear of some of the detail of the place. I wonder who or what owns the particular properties these days, if only we cld see some footage of interiors. Well done, much appreciated.
Thanks Richard.... yes I'd like to see inside too! ;-)
Thank you Rob yet another interesting video, it would have been good to see this 6 months ago, for the last time I walked down Pall Mall and pointed out the reform club to my friend but was not aware of Pickering Square. Look forward to the next video
Much appreciated as ever Butch; you’re a star. Thanks and stay well.
Well, I am going to London on Friday for my 50th and I might just pay this square a visit, very interesting, thank you.
Happy birthday in advance Alfred! Hope you enjoy your day in London.
Robslondon Thanks Rob.
@@alfreddunn03 Pleasure ;-)
Loved it!!
Thank you so much laya 😀
Thank you , Rob. Once again some fascinating stuff
Thank you :-)
Another top one, Robslondon.
Those walks down the passage to Pickering Place (repeatedly) remind me of the alley off Fleet St to the Olde Cheshire Cheese. All paneled and things.
Thanks so much Graham :-) Stay well.
Hi hon another wicked n informative vid. Love them.hurry up 2 do more.be safe.keep up good work x
Thanks so much! ;-) Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon no prob hon. Stay safe
Another great video Rob, thank you so much for making these. Your videos are very interesting, and your narration is so warm and friendly as well. Great job & looking forward to your next one
That means so much to me Craig; thank you :-) Stay well my friend.
Absolutely fascinating! what a fantastic and accessible history!!
Much appreciated Andrew! Thank you.
If only there were more squares like this in London, too bad that 1930s-1990s and onwards urban planners decided that roads should be wide with fairly narrow pavements and low-density developments, also too bad that the original tramway network closed in 1952; so what I'm essentially saying is that more of London should be built like the area around pickering place and other pre-war central London developments...
Yes, very much agreed.
There are more than you probably know. The only real way to discover these gems is often by chance. It's been some time since I frequented London (25 years perhaps a little longer), but I'm sure these places still exist. Generally however, I agree completely with your comment. Property is so expensive now, that many places have simply been swallowed up. It's a real shame.
@@gunner678 There probably are more places like this unfortunately only inside the city centre as the outskirts have been slowly demolished into a car-centric urban jungle where it takes you like a 30min drive or a 1 hour bus journey to the nearest large shopping development (i.e. supermarket, hypermarket etc.)
I must also say that London hasn't changed much in the past 20 years now besides changing demographics and a few new tall buildings having been built inside Central London and the Suburbs and some small-scale road design changes in a few places...
These places are delightful when rich people own them. But the same kinds of tiny squares in the bad parts of London were horrors.
Brilliant stuff! Clearly well researched. I was Interested to learn that G..Greene lived here, this Place certainly has history! Thanks.
Many kind thanks Thinker? :-) Stay well.
Very interesting video! 👍
Much appreciated asheland, thank you! Stay well.
@@Robslondon thank you! ☺️
@@asheland_numismatics A pleasure 😉
Love your work. Keep it up.
That means a lot to me Susie, thank you.
Hi Rob, well you did it again for me as a new subbed and going through your past postings. Now I could live in a courtyard like that, bang in the middle of everything but tucked away from the noise of the road etc. Big 👍👍👍👌 Cheers DougT in Mancs.
Ha ha, cheers Doug 😉 Appreciate your support
What a beautiful and hidden-away little square! I wonder how much it would cost if one wanted to buy or rent a little pied-à-terre there.
I dread to think how much it would cost!!
Nice one well researched and edited.
Cheers Terry, much appreciated 😉
Interesting video. I wish I had gone there when I lived in London
Thanks Richard... you'll have to come back for a look ;-) Stay well.
Been here a few times and never noticed the plague for the Texas Embassy. Had no idea given how short lived the republic was. 👍
I think Texas exported most of its cotton to the UK.
another super video-I don't think I would want to have played cards in the hells.
Thanks so much Hari… and I think you would have been very wise not to gamble there! 🎲 Stay well.
Thanks Rob. I’ve walked passed that alleyway numerous times and never knew there was such a hidden gem there. Will definitely take a look when I’m next in St James.
Thanks Marie; hope you enjoy having a peek around there ;-) Stay well.
I would definitely like to visit Pickering Place but I doubt I would have stayed for the gambling or dueling
Very wise Anthony!!
Is that next to the Chequers pub, Freemason's alley lol ?
A good guess, but it’s not right Michael 😉
@@Robslondon Lol. I will have to go and take a look.
This is one square I haven't heard of
I would love to live there!
😁
Very interesting.
Thank you.
Thank you
Thanks Liam
Thank you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Ida :-)
4:45 look at how dapper that statue is lol
Yep, good old Beau Brummell ;-)
Fascinating. One of my friends buys wine from Berry Bros and Rudd. I really love these videos about London in earlier days/centuries. During family research at the National Archives in Kew, London, I used their bookshop and bought lots of old maps of areas where my ancestors lived or worked. I also bought maps of very early London - it's astonishing just how small the City of London was hundreds of years ago. E❤
Ah, I love old maps!
Any chance you’d do a video about the London Assay Office? (Goldsmiths Hall)
Hi asheland- that's a great idea (I think any film on the livery halls would be). Only problem would be filming inside- maybe when I'm a little more established I'll be granted permission ;-) Will keep it in mimd.
@@Robslondon indeed that’s true about the inside, but even from outside would be a very cool video. 👍
I knew an English nurse who was sketched, with her twin brother, as babies, by Kathleen? Shackleton. I saw both sketches in her home. Kathleen was a family friend. I'm guessing in the 30's? (I am guessing it was Kathleen. I was just told the sketches were done by Ernest Shackleton's sister).
The nurse had a doctor father who joined the army, in WW2, as an officer in the medical corps.
Of course, the scandal of the little, gay brother Shackleton, and his links to the Irish Crown Jewels, is a great story.
What an incredible connection to have Georgie, thank you so much for sharing.
@@Robslondon I looked at the sketches, many a time. Very pretty babies. Her twin brother has been dead, 20ish years? She was alive 10 years ago, but I lost contact. And I recall the Shackleton signature, but can't remember if there was a K or Kathleen... or indeed, another initial. But the sketches WERE professional quality.
Are any of these magnificent houses still privately owned residences? I think it would be wonderful to live there although parking might be an issue.
Not entirely sure Bob. I think they’re mostly offices now