Colville Place

Overview

Colville Place in Fitzrovia is a quirky street in central London that is free to look around. With its row of charming Georgian houses and wide array of potted plants outside, this picturesque alleyway offers a tranquil oasis just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Tottenham Court Road and the West End.

You can spend some time wandering down this quaint street which connects Charlotte Street to Whitfield Street and there are some fantastic photo opportunities to be had. There’s also a public park here as well as the Movie Poster Art Gallery, where you’ll find posters of everything from famous bands and musicians to football matches and, of course, films.

Architecture lovers, history buffs, and people just seeking some quiet in the city will love a stroll down Colville Place. It’s a short walk from Regent’s Park and the West End, so it makes a good stop off when you’re sightseeing in the city.

Features of Colville Place

Colville Place is a street full of character. It’s flanked on one side by Georgian houses and has old streetlamps lining the centre. Some of the houses here are listed buildings, which are protected because of their special architectural or historical interest.

The street originally had two sides of Georgian houses, but one side suffered extensive damage from bombing in World War 2 and had to be demolished.

The pavements on each side slope downwards, which was to help with the drainage when the street was first built. The flagstones on the ground are hand-cut, rather than machine-cut, like more modern paving, which adds more texture and character to the road.

Outside the houses are many potted plants, giving an almost park-like feel to the street. With its greenery and tranquil atmosphere, it’s difficult to believe that Colville Place is right in the centre of London.

Colville Place history

Colville Place was originally called Colville Court, and it was built around 1766. Before this, the area was just fields. Basic three-storey houses with small backyards were constructed on both sides for working class people. Some of the ground floors of the houses were shops.

This historic street is named after the builder John Colvill (or Colville), who worked on it. He went bankrupt during the build, as the houses took such a long time to rent out.

In the 1850s, most of the houses on the street were occupied by cabinet makers and their families. Later on, in the early 20th century, poorer people and migrants made up the majority of the street. A lot of the houses were split into smaller flats.

Nowadays, the houses are more upmarket, reflecting typical property prices in central London.

George Gissing and Colville Place

The renowned English novelist George Gissing lived in one of the basement flats in Colville Place in 1878. He wrote books about the lives of the poor in London during the Victorian era, and it’s thought that some of his works were inspired by his own experiences on Colville Place.

Gissing wrote 23 novels, including his most famous, ‘New Grub Street.’

Things to do on Colville Place

Movie Poster Art Gallery

Located at 1 Colville Place, the Movie Poster Art Gallery opened in 1997. It is home to an extensive collection of vintage original film posters, rare music memorabilia, and photographs. The items are constantly changing, with new artworks arriving all the time.

You can have a browse here or purchase something if you like the look of it.

Parent walking a park with a child on their shoulders

Crabtree Fields

Crabtree Fields is a public park, just off Colville Place. The park has plenty of benches, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat when the weather is fine. Pack up a picnic in the self-catering kitchen at YHA London Central or pick something up from one of the many supermarkets or restaurants nearby.

There are two lawned areas where children can play, or you can relax on the grass. There’s also a pergola covered by plants, which is lovely to walk through, and a small children’s playground with swings.

How to get to Colville Place from YHA London Central

Colville Place is less than half a mile from YHA London Central. The quickest ways to get there are by walking and cycling.

On foot: It’s just a 10-minute stroll from YHA London Central to Colville Place, along New Cavendish Street and Charlotte Street.

By bike: Cycling from YHA London Central to Colville Place takes about five minutes.

By public transport: As they are so close, there’s no public transport between YHA London Central and Colville Place. If you’re visiting from somewhere else in London, the nearest tube stations to Colville Place are Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road.

By car: Colville Place is pedestrianised, so there is no access to the street by car.