Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge
Middlesex
Harrods, in Knightsbridge
Location
Grid reference:	TQ275797
Location:	51°30’6"N, 0°9’44"W
Data
Population:	9,270  (2011, with Belgravia)
Post town:	London
Postcode:	SW1X, SW3, SW7
Dialling code:	020
Local Government
Council:	Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster
Parliamentary constituency:	Cities of London and Westminster, Kensington

Knightsbridge is a residential and retail town in Middlesex, deep within the metropolitan conurbation. It is considered one of two international retail centres in the region, alongside the West End. 'Knightsbridge' is also the name of the roadway which runs near the south side of Hyde Park from Hyde Park Corner.

This is an affluent town, with a rich history and high property prices. The name has Old English origins, meaning "bridge of the young men or retainers." The area was initially divided between local authorities and has been home to several parishes. Knightsbridge has been associated with exclusive shops including Harrods and Harvey Nichols, banks catering to wealthy individuals, renowned restaurants, and high-end salons. Property prices in the district are among the highest in the world, with the most expensive apartment at One Hyde Park selling for £100 million in 2007.

Knightsbridge is to be found between Exhibition Road and Sloane Street, with its southern border along Brompton Road, Beauchamp Place, and the western section of Pont Street. It is served by the Knightsbridge station on the Piccadilly line and the Sloane Square station on the District and Circle lines.

The town has been a target for high-profile crimes throughout history, including the Spaghetti House siege, the Walton's Restaurant bombing, and the Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery.

Name

‘Knightsbridge’ is an ancient name, spelt in a variety of ways in Old and Middle English, such as Cnihtebricge (c. 1050); Knichtebrig (1235); Cnichtebrugge (13th century); and Knyghtesbrugg (1364). The meaning is "bridge of the young men or retainers," from the Old English cniht (genitive case plural –a) and brycg. Cniht, in pre-Norman days, did not have the later meaning of a warrior on horseback, but simply meant a youth. The allusion may be to a place where cnihtas congregated. The original bridge was where one of the old roads to the west crossed the River Westbourne. However, there is possibly a more specific reference to the important cnihtengild ('guild of cnihtas‘) in 11th-century London and to the limits of its jurisdiction (certainly Knightsbridge was one of the limits of the commercial jurisdiction of the City of London in the 12th century).

History

Knightsbridge was a hamlet located primarily in the parish of Westminster St Margaret (detached) and partly St Martin in the Fields (the part that later became St George Hanover Square). It also extended into the parishes of Kensington and Chelsea.

In the time of King Edward I, the manor of Knightsbridge appertained to the abbey of Westminster. It was named after a crossing of the River Westbourne, which is now an underground river. It is recorded that the citizens of London met Matilda of England at the Knight's Bridge in 1141.

From 1885 to 1887, as a result of the opening of trade between Britain and the Far East, Humphreys' Hall in Knightsbridge hosted an exhibition of Japanese culture in a setting built to resemble a traditional Japanese village. The exhibition was very popular, with over 250,000 visitors during its early months. Japanese artisans illustrated "the manners, customs and art-industries of their country, attired in their national and picturesque costumes. Magnificently decorated and illuminated Buddhist temple. Five o'clock tea in the Japanese tea-house. Japanese Musical and other Entertainments. Every-day Life as in Japan". W. S. Gilbert and his wife attended the exhibition, which is said to have inspired him to write The Mikado. When the Mikado requests of Ko-Ko the address of his son (Nanki-Poo) after Ko-Ko tells the Mikado that Nanki-Poo has "gone abroad", and asked the address Ko replies "Knightsbridge".

About the town

Knightsbridge is a wealthy town, with streets laid out in the height of fashionable development. At its edge are such gardens and squares as Ovington Square, Lennox Gardens and Cadogan Square. To the south it fades into Chelsea while Belgravia lies to the east and South Kensington to the west.

Many expensive shops are established here, including the department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols, and flagship stores of many British and international fashion houses, including those of the most expensive London-based shoe designers. The district also has banks that cater to wealthy individuals. Some of London's most renowned restaurants are here, as well as many exclusive hair and beauty salons, antiques and antiquities dealers, and chic bars and clubs. One of Bonhams auction houses is located in Knightsbridge.

Knightsbridge is home to many of the world's richest people and has some of the highest property prices in the world. In 2014 a terrace of 427 m² sold for £15,950,000, a home in Montpelier Square. The average asking price for all the properties in slightly wider area was £4,348,911 (as at Autumn 2014). On-street parking spaces have sold for as much as £300,000 for a 94-year lease. Fourteen of Britain's two hundred most expensive streets are in the neighbourhood, as defined by The Times.

In February 2007, the world's most expensive apartment at One Hyde Park, sold off plan for £100 million, bought by a Qatari prince, and another apartment at the same place in February 2009, at almost the same price, was bought by a Qatari prince. Apartments of this secure, optimum specification, address equate to in excess of £4,000 per square foot.

The underlying landowners]] of the few streets making up, without any dispute, Knightsbridge are the Duke of Westminster, Lord Cadogan and the Wellcome Trust with a minority of the freeholds to houses in each street sold to others. Red-brick Queen Anne revival buildings form most of the Cadogan Estates, whereas white stucco-fronted houses are mostly found on the Grosvenor Estate, designed by architect Thomas Cubitt.

In popular culture

Eric Coates uses Knightsbridge as the setting of a march for the 3rd movement of his London Suite (1933). It gained popularity through the radio show In Town Tonight (1933–1960).

According to season 3 episode 'Happy New Year,' Knightsbridge is the setting of the television series "Absolutely Fabulous." St Columba's Church in Knightsbridge is the setting of a wedding in the 1996 episode 'The Last Shout.'

Knightsbridge is referenced in the story book Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman as a place the protagonists need to cross to go to the next floating market. "The Knightsbridge" is used as metaphor for the night and its dangers they need to pass through.

Bars, clubs and restaurants of Knightsbridge frequently feature in the Channel4's reality tv show Made in Chelsea.

Outside links

• Knightsbridge area guide

References

• John Timbs (1867), "Knightsbridge", Curiosities of London (2nd ed.), London: J.C. Hotten, OCLC 12878129, https://archive.org/stream/curiositiesoflon00timbrich#page/490/mode/1up