Stratford Place facts for kids
Stratford Place is a small street in London, located just off Oxford Street. It's directly across from the Bond Street underground station. This road is a cul-de-sac, which means it's a street with only one way in and out, ending in a circle or dead end.
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Stratford House: A Historic Home
Stratford House is a very old and important building on Stratford Place. It was built between 1770 and 1776 as a grand London home for the Stratford family. Edward Stratford, the 2nd Earl of Aldborough, bought the land for £4,000. A famous architect named Robert Adam designed the main part of the house.
Before Stratford House was built, this spot was home to the Lord Mayor of London's Banqueting House, which was built in 1565. Many interesting people have stayed at Stratford House over the years, including the sons of the Russian Tsar. Clementine Hozier, who later became the wife of Winston Churchill, was also born there.
Changes to Stratford House Over Time
The house stayed mostly the same until 1894. At that time, its owner, Mr. Murray Guthrie, added another floor to the sides of the house and a row of columns at the front. In 1903, a new owner, Sir Edward Colebrook, redesigned the library.
Later, in 1908, Lord Derby leased the house and made even more changes. He removed the columns and added a third floor to both sides of the building. He also changed the main staircase and built a large hall for banquets (big dinners) with a grand ballroom above it.
Stratford House Today: The Oriental Club
In 1960, the Oriental Club bought Stratford House. They changed the building to fit their needs. The grand ballroom was divided into two floors of new bedrooms. The banqueting hall was split into a dining room and other areas.
Today, Stratford House has many rooms for the club members. These include a main drawing room, a members' bar, a library, and a billiards room. It also has an internet and business room, two smoking rooms, a dining room, and 32 bedrooms. Stratford House is a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural importance.
Other Interesting Buildings on Stratford Place
Stratford Place is home to several other notable buildings:
- Stratford House itself, which is now home to the Oriental Club.
- Number 4 Stratford Place used to be the main office for the Apollinaris Company Ltd in the early 1900s. This company sold bottled water.
- The High Commission of Botswana is located at 6 Stratford Place. This building is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's also historically important.
- The High Commission of Tanzania is also on this street. A High Commission is like an embassy for countries within the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Number 7 Stratford Place was once the London home of Martin van Buren, who was a former President of the United States.
- There is also a Kabbalah Centre on the street.
- Numbers 12-13 are historic homes from 1774, designed by Richard Edwin.
