Where are we? Just north of Earl's Court station, tucked away quietly just south of the A4. Is it nice? Not a blue-plaqued corner of Kensington but definitely smart enough.
Is it square? Hell no, not even rectangular, definitely an irregular quadrilateral. Nominally the 'square' also includes three adjoining streets. Is there anything interesting here? Hang around for the pillar box, that's the best bit.
Where does the name come from? The original landowners (the Edwardes family) hailed from Pembrokeshire, and Nevern is a hamlet between Fishguard and Cardigan. When was it built? Between 1880 and 1886, a tad later than all the surrounding streets. How much do the houses cost? Originally in 1882, £2220. These days flats comprising half a floor sell for over a million.
What's the architectural style? Domestic Revival, which is quite bricky in contrast to the surrounding Italianate stucco, this because tastes changed just prior to construction. Why does one side look subtly different? The builder, Robert Whitaker, died during construction leaving George Whitaker to complete the southwest side. What else does the Conservation Area Appraisal tell us? "The wavelike patterns of continuous wrought iron balustrade at first floor level would not have been out of place in the Vienna of Gustav Klimt."
Any famous former residents? The novelist Compton Mackenzie (after moving down from Scotland), also the soldiers Hugh Stafford Northcote Wright and Major Herbert William Dumaresq. So no, not really. When did the flying bomb hit? 4.23pm on Sunday 23rd July 1944, killing one and injuring 85 more, 16 seriously. Four buildings in the northeast corner had to be demolished and rebuilt. This helps explain the very-postwar-looking minstrel carved amid the brickwork above the door to Rupert House.
What's the dominant commercial activity? Hotels. I counted four, one attempting chic townhouse vibes, the others appealing to a transient Earl's Court demographic with questionably enthusiastic websites and don't expect breakfast. What are six things you might see around the square? plane trees, moulded red brick architraves, conkers, nitrous oxide cylinders, a black Porsche, a six-box Waitrose delivery.
Is there a garden square in the middle? Very much yes. Can I go inside? Very much no. A thick privet hedge surrounds it. Only keyholders can unlock the gates and go in. What happens if you fail to close the gates immediately on entering? Your garden access rights are withdrawn for seven days (or longer). Any other rules? No objects thrown in the air, no gatherings of more than 25 people, only use one table per keyholder, don't leave raw meat for the foxes, no weeing in the shrubbery.
Who owns the garden? In 1974 the private owner sold it to a consortium of residents including the owner of Desert Orchid. They paid £3500. How much does access cost now? 286 property owners each pay an extra £149.95 on their council tax for the privilege of using the garden. It turns out Kensington & Chelsea Council collect garden levies for 47 garden squares via council tax, each rate set annually by the respective garden committees.
How many dogs are allowed to exercise in the gardens?19. Their owners have to pay an annual subscription of £65. Who are the Nevern Square dogs? Winston, Squirrel, Sally, Panda, Benny, Ollie, Maggie, Toby, Lexi, Paccino, Libby, Truffle, Coffee, Brinkley, Barney, Billy, Max, Dino and Teagan. Why might they be excited this week? Dogs were allowed back in the square between 2pm and 6pm for the first time since April.
What if I really want to see the gardens? They're usually part of Open Gardens Weekend in June. Anything sooner? This Friday Mary Poppins is being screened in the gardens as part of an Open Cinema event. Tickets still available at £10 a time. Snacks and refreshments available.
What happened? In 1879 Andrew Handyside's iron foundry in Derby was given responsibility for manufacturing a new design of cylindrical (not hexagonal) pillar box. Unfortunately they weren't asked to include either the VR cypher or the Post Office's name so they didn't. Amazingly it took until 1887 for the error to be noticed, after which decades of pillar boxes were produced perfectly properly. But Nevern Square's box arrived during the errant eight years, thus stands proud on the corner with no reference to Queen Victoria whatsoever. Are these anonymous boxes rare? I don't think so. There's one on Rounton Road in Bow, for example. Saves going to Nevern Square? I think so.
