Powis Square, London facts for kids
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Powis Square is a beautiful garden square located in Notting Hill, London, England. It is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The nearest London Underground station to the square is Westbourne Park tube station.
Contents
History of Powis Square
How Powis Square Began
Powis Square was planned in the mid-1800s. A well-known local architect named Thomas Allom designed the square. It was originally built for families who were quite well-off.
What's in a Name?
There are two main ideas about how Powis Square got its name. Some believe it was named after the Talbot family. They were the Earls of Shrewsbury. Other nearby places like Arundel Gardens and Talbot Road also share this connection. Another idea is that it was named after Powis Castle. This castle is in Wales. The land's leaseholder, W. K. Jenkins, had Welsh connections.
Changes Over Time
In the 1900s, the area around Powis Square faced some challenges. Many homes were not well-maintained. By the 1930s, it was described as a difficult place to live. In the 1950s and 60s, some properties were managed in a way that made living conditions worse.
However, things began to change for the better. In 1968, the local council bought the garden square. This happened after people worked hard to improve the area. They wanted to make Notting Hill a better place for everyone.
Powis Square Today
Today, Powis Square Gardens is a lovely public park. It is one of three smaller parks in the Portobello Road area. The other two are Tavistock Gardens and Colville Square Gardens. These parks are great places for people to relax and enjoy nature.
The Tabernacle is also located here. It is a local community arts centre. The Tabernacle has a long history with the famous Notting Hill Carnival.
Famous Connections
Powis Square has been home to, or featured in, several interesting events and people.
Music and Film
- In 1962, Brian Jones from The Rolling Stones lived on the west side of the square.
- Number 25 Powis Square was used in the 1970 film Performance. This movie starred James Fox and Mick Jagger.
- The square is also mentioned in the 1985 song "E=MC²". This song by Big Audio Dynamite was partly inspired by the film Performance.
- Lemmy Kilmister made his first appearance as a bass player for the band Hawkwind here. This happened at a free outdoor concert in August 1971.
Sports and Community
- Roy Stewart ran a gymnasium at 32A Powis Square. This gym opened in 1954.
