Knightsbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knightsbridge |
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 Harrods on Brompton Road |
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 Knightsbridge
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| Population | 9,270 (2011 Census. Knightsbridge and Belgravia Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ275797 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SW1X, SW3, SW7 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly | |
Knightsbridge is a fancy area in central London. It is south of Hyde Park. This area is known for its homes and shops.
Knightsbridge is one of London's two main international shopping spots. The other is the West End. The name Knightsbridge also refers to a road. This road runs along the south side of Hyde Park. It starts at Hyde Park Corner.
This part of London is very rich. Property prices here are some of the highest in the world. For example, an apartment at One Hyde Park sold for £100 million in 2007. Knightsbridge has a long history. Its name comes from Old English words. It means "bridge of the young men."
The area is between Exhibition Road and Sloane Street. Its southern edge is along Brompton Road. Knightsbridge has many famous shops and restaurants. It is served by the Knightsbridge underground station.
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What's in a Name?
The name Knightsbridge is very old. It has been spelled in different ways over time. Some old spellings include Cnihtebricge (around 1050) and Knyghtesbrugg (1364).
The name means "bridge of the young men." It comes from old English words. Cniht meant a youth or young man. It did not mean a knight on horseback back then. The name might refer to a place where young people gathered. Bridges were often meeting spots. The original bridge crossed the River Westbourne. This river now flows underground.
A Look Back in Time
Knightsbridge used to be a small village. It was split between different local areas. These included parts of St Margaret and St Martin in the Fields. It also stretched into Kensington and Chelsea. So, it was managed by different local councils early on.
In the 1200s, the land of Knightsbridge belonged to Westminster Abbey. People met Matilda of England at the Knight's Bridge in 1141.
From 1885 to 1887, something special happened. Trade opened up between Britain and the Far East. Humphreys' Hall in Knightsbridge held a Japanese culture exhibition. It looked like a real Japanese village. This event was very popular. Over 250,000 people visited in the first few months. Japanese artists showed their country's customs and crafts. They wore traditional clothes. There was a Buddhist temple and a Japanese tea-house. People could enjoy Japanese music and daily life.
This exhibition even inspired a famous play. W. S. Gilbert and his wife visited it. It is said to have given him ideas for his play The Mikado.
Where is Knightsbridge?
Knightsbridge is located east of Exhibition Road. It is west of Sloane Street. Its southern edge follows Brompton Road. It also includes Beauchamp Place and the western part of Pont Street. Nearby gardens and squares like Ovington Square are also part of it.
South of this area, you find Chelsea. Belgravia is to the east. South Kensington is to the west.
Shopping and More
Knightsbridge is famous for its expensive shops. It has large department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Many top fashion brands have their main stores here. These include shoe designers Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. There are also two Prada stores.
The area also has banks for very wealthy people. You can find some of London's best restaurants here. There are also many fancy hair and beauty salons. You can find antique shops and stylish bars and clubs. One of Bonhams auction houses is in Knightsbridge.
Amazing Property Prices
Knightsbridge is a small area. This makes it even more special. It is home to many of the world's richest people. Property prices here are extremely high. In 2014, a house in Montpelier Square sold for £15,950,000. This house was 427 square meters.
Even parking spaces can be very expensive. Some have sold for as much as £300,000 for a 94-year lease. Many of Britain's most expensive streets are in this neighborhood.
One Hyde Park
One Hyde Park is a very famous building. In 2007, the most expensive apartment in the world was sold here. It cost £100 million. A prince from Qatar bought it. Another apartment there sold for almost the same price in 2009.
These apartments are very secure and luxurious. They cost more than £4,000 per square foot. In 2014, a large penthouse apartment in One Hyde Park sold for £140 million. It was 16,000 square feet.
Important Buildings
To the north of Knightsbridge is the Hyde Park Barracks. This is where the Household Cavalry are based. It has a tall, unique 33-story tower. The police unit that protects royalty and diplomats is also based nearby.
Several embassies are in Knightsbridge. These include the Embassy of Libya, the Embassy of France, and the Embassy of Kuwait.
Knightsbridge also has many churches. These include the impressive Brompton Oratory (a Catholic church). There is also the Holy Trinity Church. Other churches include the Russian Orthodox Church and St Columba's Church of Scotland.
Two of the four London buildings for Hill House School are also located here.
Getting Around
Knightsbridge gets its name from the road itself. This road runs along the south side of Hyde Park. It goes west from Hyde Park Corner. The road is part of the A4 arterial road up to Brompton Road. West of Rutland Gardens, the road becomes Kensington Road.
The area has two underground stations. Knightsbridge station is on the Piccadilly line. Sloane Square station is on the District and Circle lines. Another station, Brompton Road, closed in 1934.
Knightsbridge in Pop Culture
Knightsbridge has appeared in many songs, books, and TV shows.
- In 1933, Eric Coates wrote a march called "Knightsbridge." It was part of his London Suite. This music became popular on the radio show In Town Tonight.
- The Rolling Stones mentioned Knightsbridge in their 1965 song "Play with Fire." They used it to show how rich a character was.
- The TV show "Absolutely Fabulous" is set in Knightsbridge. A wedding scene in the 1996 episode "The Last Shout" took place at St. Columba's Church in Knightsbridge.
- In the book Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Knightsbridge is a dangerous place. The characters have to cross it to reach a special market.
- The 2017 movie The Foreigner starts with a bomb in Knightsbridge.
- In 2017, Swedish rapper Bladee named a song after Knightsbridge. He also mentioned it in the lyrics.
- The reality TV show Made in Chelsea often features bars and clubs in Knightsbridge.
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See also
In Spanish: Knightsbridge para niños
