Around the Flat

The block is on the clean and leafy Somerset Estate, which was designed by British modernist architect Colin Lucas and built in the 60’s for the GLC.

There is an arc of similar blocks round south London, 10 or 12 of them, ending at Greenwich.  The modular appearance of the towers is distinctive, as is the interior design,

 

It’s a good place to live. The tower blocks are 90% privately owned now.  I have always had good relations with my neighbours, and people in the blocks are friendly. Because of the layout of each floor of the tower, you only have a direct neighbour below and I have not had any problems with noisy neighbours.

Access into the block is good, with steps and also a ramp for trolleys and prams etc, and there are two lifts, both of which go to the top floor (though you can only call one to go down).

 

 

Battersea

The area around Battersea Bridge, Battersea Church Rd, Parkgate Rd (which runs towards Battersea Park), and Battersea Square has become positive and vibrant in the last 5 years.

 

This is a lot to do with its close proximity to Chelsea, a few minutes walk across the bridge, but also to do with the fact that Norman Foster’s offices are here on the river, and beside them is the Foster designed Albion development ; a challenge to Richard Rogers’ Montevetro building on Battersea Church Road.

 

There are a growing number of other riverside developments  along Vicarage Crescent and Lombard Rd, and on towards Wandsworth Bridge, but the social centre for this area is Battersea Village and the top of Battersea Bridge Rd.  The Royal College of Art is rebuilding its sculpture school on Howie Street, and the Royal Academy of Dance is on Battersea Square.  There are various supermarkets nearby – Asda at Clapham Junction, Sainsbury Local on Battersea Park Road and Waitrose on the Kings Road.  Within a few minutes walk there are local dentist and doctor surgeries, a sub-post office, various bars and restaurants and take away places, Oddbins, a play centre day nursery, Texaco garage and various corner stores.

 

 

 

The River

The views and open spaces of the river with its boats and tides and extensive riverside walks make this area for me.  Its right there, less than a minute from Sparkford House.  A small oasis of tranquillity has been created in front of Montevetro, with lawn, trees and benches, and the boats moored around the Churchyard.

 

 
St. Mary’s Church is a treasure too – designed by Christopher Wren, Turner used to paint water meadow sunsets from the vestry window over what is now Sands End in Chelsea, Blake was married here, and Michael Caine as ‘Alfie’ pondered the meaning of life and love, lounging against the iron railings by the barges.  Then there is the Albert Bridge…

 

Battersea Park

The park is ten minutes walk away along the river.  It’s a good park with lots of facilities: The Millenium Sports Centre with running track, tennis courts, gym, spot lit pitches, sauna etc, and very reasonable rates:

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/LeisureandTourism/Sports/Facilities/Battpark.htm

There is also a boating lake with café, open spaces and hidden tranquil spots, the Pump House Gallery, a Zoo, …

 

 

Chelsea and the Kings Road

The Kings Road is ten minutes walk away, across Battersea Bridge.  This is the World’s End of the Kings Road, and it takes another twenty minutes to walk the length of it past all the shops, bars, café’s, restaurants and cinemas to Sloane Square. Of course this can take a lot longer than twenty minutes – it can take all day!