Sunday, 12 January 2025

'The Cottage,' 3 Hayne Street, London as seen on a Brompton

Another Sunday blog post for you dear reader. See, I did not forget. 

Not far from Barbican tube station and Charterhouse Square, on 3 Hayne Street, stands 'The Cottage.' I mention Barbican tube station as at the end of the platform, opposite the exit, if you look up you will see the back of it, almost morphed into the buildings either side. It is definitely worth your time for a fleeting visit. 


For this particular adventure - in late August in memory serves me - I took my Brompton Electric with me. Despite my recent G-Line purchase, I really do love this bike. In my mind - for whatever reason - I have chosen not to use it in the winter months. It will almost certainly come out to play (and destroy the egos of a few roadies rasping up Swain's Lane) in mid-March. 

The rear view from Barbican platform


This 19th Century cottage had been set for demolition when Crossrail / the Elizabeth Line was being built. For the moment at least, it remains. 

The Street that is now Hayne Street came into being in the 1600s by Thomas Neale - perhaps most known for his efforts at Seven Dials in Covent Garden - incidentally, not fart from Brompton Junction London. The Metropolitan Railway bought a huge part of Charterhouse Square in 1864 and began work on their railway. Neale's street was then no more. 

In 1873-74 a new street - Hayne Street - was developed. Number 3 is now the last house standing of that time. It is a little bit like a glimpse of what was there all those years ago. 

Not sure whether anyone actually lives there or who the owner is but it would be a shame to see it go to make way for something to do with the Elizabeth Line, an office block or the usual luxury flats. 


Having a Brompton bicycle and the ability to poodle about on it in London, does mean that you stumble across things like this all the time. One of the many joys of owning one. (Other bicycles are of course available for this purpose but rarely as much fun). 

Until next time, stay safe out there people. 

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