Middlesex
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Middlesex from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Middlesex's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Bell Barrow called Boadicea's Grave, 650m west of Millfie…
Camden
Known in local folklore as 'Boadicea's Grave,' this scheduled monument is near the top of Parliament Hill, London.
Tomb of Mary Wollstonecraft, William Godwin and Mary Jane…
Camden
This tomb in St Pancras Old Church Garden, Camden, includes inscriptions for the writers and radical philosophers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin.
The Light House, including hard landscaping and summer ho…
Camden
Post-Modern house with hard landscaping and summer house to the garden, designed in 1983 and built between 1984 and 1985 to designs by architect Ivan Simovic for his family.
Buckingham Palace
City of Westminster
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK's monarch since 1837.
Elsyng Palace
Enfield
A multi-phase complex monument with medieval origins, later converted to an early Tudor courtier house belonging to Sir Thomas Lovell which was then taken over and adapted as a royal palace...
No.1 Poultry
City and County of the City of London
Speculative commercial building incorporating offices and retail units, the Green Man public house, a public right of way in Bucklersbury Passage and rooftop restaurant and garden.
Lamp post outside 4-6 Russell Street
City of Westminster
A gas street light comprising a column dated 1910, with an Upright Rochester lantern manufactured by William Sugg and Company Limited, probably around 1930.
London Wall: section of Roman wall within the London Wall…
City and County of the City of London
The London Wall, built between AD 190 and AD 225, significantly influenced Roman and medieval London's development.
Heinz Administrative Headquarters and Former Research Lab…
Hillingdon
These two buildings were designed by Gordon Bunshaft of the American practice Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and completed in 1965 as the administrative headquarters and research laboratories...
Houses of Parliament and The Palace of Westminster
City of Westminster
The official seat of the British Government, the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster, London, were created in two main phases, starting with Westminster Hall between 1097 and...
Tomb of Emmeline Pankhurst
Kensington and Chelsea
Tomb of Emmeline Pankhurst, 1930, designed by Julian Phelps Allan.
Newcastle Draw Dock
Tower Hamlets
Newcastle Draw Dock, a 19th-century brick structure, is notable for its river view of Waterman's Arms and Christ Church, forming a group with nearby buildings.
Liverpool Street Station
City and County of the City of London
London railway terminus built between 1873 and 1875 for the Great Eastern Railway by chief engineer Edward Wilson.
Hampstead Tower and Attached Walls
Camden
Hampstead Tower, designed by JT Wimperis in a Gothic baronial style, features a striking stair tower and elaborate brickwork, embodying late 19th-century architectural elegance.
Virginia Quay Settlers Monument
Tower Hamlets
A free-standing stone and bronze monument of 1951, incorporating a bronze plaque of 1928 and with later sculptural additions of 1999, commemorating the departure of settlers for Jamestown,...
Cathedral Church of St Paul
City and County of the City of London
The new St Paul's Cathedral was rebuilt on the site of a medieval cathedral that burnt down during the Great Fire of London in 1666.
St Marleybone Western National School
City of Westminster
The St Marleybone Western National School, built in 1824, is a former parish school with Greek Revival details in Westminster.
Natural History Museum, Front Lodge and Gates, Gatepiers …
Kensington and Chelsea
Museum of 1873-81 and gates, piers and railings erected by 1881, all designed by Alfred Waterhouse and built by George Baker and Sons of Lambeth.
Gasholder No 2, Fulham Gasworks
Hammersmith and Fulham
Gasholder. Built in 1829-1830 to the design of John Kirkham of the Imperial Gas Light Company. The contractors were a Mr Ward, junior, and a Mr Wright.
Shadwell Basin Housing, 5-54 (cons) Maynards Quay, 1-62 (…
Tower Hamlets
Flats, maisonettes and houses comprising the Newlands Quay, Maynards Quay and Peartree Lane developments.
Isle of Dogs Pumping Station, including transformer house…
Tower Hamlets
Storm water pumping station, 1986-1988 by John Outram Associates for the London Docklands Development Corporation and Thames Water.
Ironmongers' Hall, excluding Ferroners' House
City and County of the City of London
Livery hall, 1923-1925 by Sydney Tatchell, with 1977-1979 additions by Fitzroy Robinson; the large 1975-1977 extension by Fitzroy Robinson, Ferroners' House, is excluded from the listing.
Stockley Park: Business park Phases I and II, and country…
Hillingdon
A pioneering suburban business park, established to a master plan of 1984 by Arup Associates, led by Michael Lowe, and mainly developed from 1985 to 1993, with landscape architects Ede...
Victoria Station Arcade including Nos. 15 and 16 Terminus…
City of Westminster
Shopping arcade incorporating entrances to Underground station, with attached range of shopsBuilt 1909-11 to the design of George C Sherrin, with minor modifications by HW Ford.
Lamp post opposite Theatre Royal, outside 29 Russell Street
City of Westminster
A gas street light comprising a column dated 1910, with an upright Rochester lantern manufactured by William Sugg and Company Limited, probably around 1930.
Lilian Baylis House (former Decca recording studios), inc…
Camden
Former Crystalate and Decca recording studios, built as the Falcon Works in 1884.
Lloyd's Building
City and County of the City of London
A late C20 High Tech office building and insurance market for the major insurance firm, Lloyd's.
Tower of London
Tower Hamlets
The Tower of London evolved from a 13th-century tower keep to an enclosure castle, symbolizing Crown authority, serving as a landmark in military architecture and housing the first English...
Early C17 cistern to Old Somerset House (aka The Roman Bath)
City of Westminster
Cistern of early C17 date and later C17 vaults. Opened as a bathhouse in late C18.
10, Downing Street SW1
City of Westminster
Number 10, Downing Street, London, has been the official residence of the British Prime Minister, as First Lord of the Treasury, since 1735.
Former French Protestant Hospital (later Cardinal Pole Sc…
Hackney
Hospital and almshouse, later school; 1864-5 by Robert Lewis Roumieu.
Former Bromley Hall School for the Physically Handicapped
Tower Hamlets
School for physically disabled children, designed 1965 and built 1967-8 by the LCC/GLC Architects' Department under job architect Bob Giles; extended 1978-9.
ROYAL HOSPITAL, CHELSEA and RANELAGH GARDENS
Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, developed in the 19th century, features historical gardens and plays host to the annual Chelsea Flower Show.
The Barbican
City and County of the City of London
The Barbican, designed by Chamberlin Powell and Bon, is a notable mixed-use complex featuring residential, communal, and public gardens, developed on World War II bomb sites from 1962-1982.
Lamp post outside 24 Russell Street
City of Westminster
A gas street light comprising a column dated 1910 by William Sugg and Company Limited, with a replacement Upright Rochester-type lantern installed by Sugg Lighting Limited, in the later C20.
Baker Street Station: Main Entrance Building and Metropol…
City of Westminster
Underground railway station and terminus.
Grand Hall and Pillar Hall, Olympia Exhibition Centre
Hammersmith and Fulham
Olympia Exhibition Centre comprising: The Grand Hall, the former National Agricultural Hall, and Pillar Hall, the former Minor Hall, both of 1885 in Italianate style by Henry Edward Coe with...
The London Hospital
Tower Hamlets
The London Hospital, begun in 1751 by architect Boulton Mainwaring, features a brick structure with a clock-adorned pediment, arcaded ground floor, and yellow brick wings.
Middlesex through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Middlesex changes over time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Middlesex
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Blackwall
East India Docks, Blackwall, 1921
Blackwall
Brunswick Wharf (Blackwall) Power Station, East India Docks and environs, Blackwall, 1953
Westminster
Pimlico and Victoria Station looking towards St James Park and Waterloo Bridge, Westminster, 1939
Westminster
The River Thames running through central London, Westminster, 1951
Paddington
Paddington, the homecoming parade of the Prince of Wales, 1922
Paddington
Paddington Railway Station and environs, Paddington, 1950
London
London Zoo in Regent's Park, London, 1921
Regent'S Park
London Zoo, Regent's Park, 1950
Poplar
Poplar Hospital, East India Dock Road and the North Quay of East India Import Dock, Poplar, 1935
Isle Of Dogs
East India Dock, London, viewed, 1962
Middlesex in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Middlesex's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
The Great Gatehouse at Hampton Court Palace, showing the ten heraldic statues, known as the King's Beasts, on the bridge over the moat
Eric de Mare
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of Hampton Court Palace showing a Roman statue on a wall.
John Gay Collection: Railway Stations
Marylebone, City Of Westminster, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960 - 1972
A view looking west along Marylebone Road in Westminster from outside Berkeley Court towards the Old Great Central Hotel in Marylebone
John Gay Collection: London
East Molesey, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1961
A young boy hanging on the railings edging the canal to the east of the gardens of Hampton Court Palace
John Gay Collection: Highgate and Hampstead
Highgate, Camden, Greater London Authority
Date created: Spring 1995
Graves in an overgrown part of the West Cemetery
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Walham Green, Hammersmith And Fulham, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1970 - 1975
The late 20th century local authority maisonettes at Walham Green Court in Fulham
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
City Of Westminster, Greater London Authority
Date created: Sep 1980
A view of a case containing two minature long barrelled guns made by James Purdey and Sons of London
John Gay Collection: Advertising and Promotional Photographs
Knightsbridge, Kensington And Chelsea, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1954 - 1972
A display of jars of Chiltern Herbs in Harrods Food Hall
John Gay Collection: Counties
Hillingdon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1959 - 1963
The interior roof of an aircraft hangar at Heathrow Airport with the top half of a Bentley motor car in the foreground
John Laing Collection
Spelthorne, Surrey
Date created: 1925
View of the Littleton Pumping Station under construction
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: Jul 1890
Two men standing on the bank of the River Thames, with the Richmond Railway Bridge behind
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Hampton Court, Richmond Upon Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW OF THE MAZE
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Middlesex.
Monumental Works of Giles Gilbert Scott
Mentions K6 Telephone Kiosk in Central Markets, Waterloo Bridge
The Gothic revivalist architect whose 20th century works include Battersea Power Station, Bankside Power Station (now Tate Modern), Liverpool...
Temperance Buildings: The Way Out of Darkest England
Mentions Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain
The temperance movement and its remarkable physical legacy visible on our streets today.
The 12 Pubs of Christmas
Mentions Houses of Parliament and The Palace of Westminster, The Holly Bush Public House
Explore the hidden histories of listed pubs with a festive theme.
Reusing Historic Cinemas as Places of Worship
Mentions Mecca Bingo, Ace Cinema
Faith communities are giving a new lease of life to former historic cinemas.
The Works of Modernist Architect Eric Lyons
Mentions Landscape at Fieldend
A post-war pioneer who founded Span Developments and set out to make an idyll out of suburbia.
The Buildings of Modernist Architect Berthold Lubetkin
Mentions Penguin Pool, Finsbury Health Centre, Highpoint I Highpoint I (Numbers A to D) Highpoint I (Numbers G,h,I,k)
Exploring the work of a leading figure in Modernist Architecture in Britain.
Hostel, House, and Chambers
Mentions 1A, Little Titchfield Street W1, 42 and 44, Mortimer Street W1, 37-41, Great Titchfield Street W1, Former London Diocesan Girls' Friendly Society Hostel (St Mungos), Waterlow Court
Exploring Victorian and Edwardian accommodation for working women.
10 Historic Locations Featured in Classic British Horror Movies
Mentions Parish Church of All Saints, Trafalgar Square
England's heritage as the location for horror films.
What Is the Oldest Historic Pub in London?
Mentions Prospect of Whitby Public House, Ye Olde Mitre Public House, Hoop and Grapes Public House
Discover what the oldest historic pub in London is. The contenders include the Prospect of Whitby, the George Inn, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.
The History of Chinatowns in England
Mentions 19, Gerrard Street W1
London's first Chinatown appeared in Limehouse in the 1880s, while Liverpool's Chinatown is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe.
The Story of 1066: Why William the Conqueror Invaded England
Mentions Westminster Abbey (The Collegiate Church of St Peter), Tower of London
William I, also known as William the Conqueror, was the first Norman king of England, who reigned from 1066 to 1087 following the Battle of Hastings.
The History of Religious Wall Paintings in England: From the Middle Ages to the Victorian Era
Mentions Westminster Abbey (The Collegiate Church of St Peter), Church of St Mary Magdalene
Explore England's religious wall paintings, a blend of art and spirituality spanning the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Maida Vale MP Shows Support for Greenhouse Centre
Mentions Christ Church
Investment from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund is helping bring a London landmark community space back to life.
London’s Battle of Britain Bunker Still Revealing its Secrets
Mentions Group Operations Room
Recent archaeological work at the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge reveals more about the site, 86 years after it was built.
Southend-on-Sea Civic Fountain Listed
Mentions Curzon Mayfair Cinema, Harrods
The Civic Fountain in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has been listed at Grade II by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Praise for Restoration of Former Sanderson Wallpaper Factory
Mentions Voysey House
Historic England has praised the restoration of Voysey House in Chiswick, as Sanderson returns to their former wallpaper factory building.
13th Cabmen's Shelter in London Listed
Mentions Cabmen's Shelter, Wellington Place, Chelsea Embankment Cabmen's Shelter, Cabmen's Shelter, Northumberland Avenue
The cabmen's shelter on Wellington Place, St John’s Wood, has been listed at Grade II – all 13 historic green huts in London are now protected.
Historic England Supports University of Sussex Plans for Listed Library
Historic England supports plans to improve access to the University of Sussex’s Grade II* listed Library, designed by architect Sir Basil Spence.
Listing Protection for Westminster Gas Lamps
Mentions Sewer Gas Lampstandard Numbered 4, Lamp post outside 4-6 Russell Street, Lamp post outside 24 Russell Street
4 historic gas lamps in Covent Garden, London have been listed at Grade II.
16 Remarkable Historic Places Listed in 2023
Mentions The Light House,
Take a closer look at the historic gems that were examined, protected and added to the National Heritage List for England in 2023.
Grant Awarded to Alexandra Palace to Help Restore Unique Spaces
Mentions Alexandra Palace
Historic England has awarded a £550,312 grant to Alexandra Palace to help bring a derelict section of the East Wing back into use.
Heritage at Risk in London Revealed
Mentions The London Hospital, Church of St George in the East
41 sites have been saved and 10 sites added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2023 in London.
34 Belsize Lane Listed
Mentions 34 Belsize Lane,, Middlesex
A unique 1970s studio house in Camden, London designed by British Architect Georgie Wolton has been listed at Grade II.
Bedford Shire Hall Upgraded To Grade II* Listing
Mentions Natural History Museum, Front Lodge and Gates, Gatepiers and Railings, Prudential Assurance Building
Bedford Shire Hall, which sits within the Bedford High Street Heritage Action Zone, has been upgraded to Grade II* by the Department for Culture,...
Middlesex's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
Changing the departure boards at Liverpool Street Station, City of London
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
A member of the station staff manually changes the departure information board.
Changing the departure boards at Liverpool Street Station, City of London
Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, Westminster, London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This stereo view of the Zoological Gardens in Regents Park shows members of the public mounting an elephant for a ride.
Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, Westminster, London
Wrotham Park, Dancers Hill Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This is the entrance to Wrotham Park. The landscaped park and pleasure grounds to Wrotham Park House cover an area of 116 hectares.
Wrotham Park, Dancers Hill Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
Wright's Almshouses, Hertford Road, Enfield, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This row of almshouses were built in 1847.
Wright's Almshouses, Hertford Road, Enfield, Greater London
Wrapping port bottles, Cutler Street Warehouse, City of London
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
An interior view inside the warehouse showing a man individually wrapping bottles of Sandeman port.
Wrapping port bottles, Cutler Street Warehouse, City of London
World War II bomb damage, London
Period: 1940s (1946 - 1949)
A panoramic view of extensive bomb damage at Cripplegate in London during World War II. The Church of St Giles lies to the right of the photograph.
World War II bomb damage, London
World War II bomb damage, London
Period: 1940s (1946 - 1949)
A panoramic view of bomb damage in Cripplegate during World War II. A site has been cleared in the foreground and is being used as a car park.
World War II bomb damage, London
Workmen in a canteen during construction at Heathrow Airport, Heathrow, Greater London
Period: 1970s (1970 - 1979)
These workmen are from John Laing plc and were building a new hangar at Heathrow Airport. The men are having a meal and a break in the site canteen.
Workmen in a canteen during construction at Heathrow Airport, Heathrow, Greater London
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
East and West Stables, Gunnersbury Park, London
These listed structures within Gunnersbury Park, a Grade II*-registered park and garden, have undergone necessary safety, stabilization, and...
Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, London
Kensal Green Cemetery, currently included on Historic England's Heritage at Risk (HAR) register, was laid out in 1832 and is the oldest of the...
Monument to Major John Cartwright, St Mary-at-Finchley Churchyard, Hendon Lane, London
This monument to Major John Cartwright takes the form of an obelisk set within a churchyard, situated above a burial vault.
Mortuary Chapel, Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington High Street, London
Designed by William Hosking, this is the oldest surviving non-denominational chapel in Europe.
Parish Hall and Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market, London
The Parish Hall (Institute) and the adjoining Church in Exmouth Market, London, form part of this important range of buildings.
St Pancras Old Church, Camden
St Pancras Old Church, originally dating from the 11th century, has undergone multiple rebuilds and restorations, including significant work in 1847-8...
St Stephen, Pond Street, London
St Stephen is a Grade I-listed former church, situated on a landmark site at the meeting of Rosslyn Hill and Pond Street.
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