Walking Jane Austen’s London

The unicorn of Scotland on the southern gates of Kensington Palace. The unicorn joined the English lion as a supporter of the royal coat of arms when James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603.

The Westbourne, one of London’s ‘lost’ rivers, flows down from Hampstead and was dammed in 1730 to form the Serpentine. In 1816 Harriet Shelley, wife of the poet, drowned herself here.

The Queen’s Temple in Kensington Palace Gardens was built as a summerhouse for Queen Caroline inc.1734. Some of the graffiti inside dates to 1821 when the whole of the Gardens was thrown open to the public on a daily basis.

The dominating landmark at Hyde Park Corner is Apsley House, known as Number One London because it was the first house on the Hyde Park turnpike after the toll gate. Built by Robert Adam in the 1770s, it was purchased by the Duke of Wellington for his London residence when he began his political career. When Jane knew this area it was simply the first of a terrace of smart town dwellings that were demolished when the house was redeveloped in its present form.
Apsley House is well worth visiting. The beautifully preserved interior contains Wellington’s collection of art works, the lavish gifts presented to him by grateful rulers, and even a nude statue of Napoleon.

Sloane Street was part of the Hans Town development, built up from 1771. With its well-paved roads and patrolling night watchmen, it attracted prosperous professionals like Henry who was a banker with offices in Covent Garden.