Brompton G-Line Blue Plaque and similar ride

This weekend has been rather lovely in terms of weather. Taking advantage of this unseasonal sunshine, I decided to head out and confine myself to parts of Fitzrovia, Mayfair, South Kensington, Chelsea and Belgravia to find a few Blue Plaques of the great and good and a few other versions of the same that aren't the official blue ones. 

The official scheme for Blue Plaques has its origins in 1866 and firmly in London. The brainchild of politician William Ewart (advocate of the abolition of capital punishment) it was set up by the Society of Arts in 1867 and since 1986 has been run by English Heritage. There are hundreds of Blue Plaques around London and wherever you are, you are never too far from one. 

Heading south from North London the first plaque of the day was that of Kenneth Williams. He lived in a flat in Farley Court for seven years and his one looked out to view of Regents Park. I bet he loved it. The 'Carry On' films are perhaps from a bygone age, but for me he was the best thing in it. 

The first plaque of the whole commemorating where famous person lived thing, was that of poet Lord Byron in 1867. It marked the birthplace of a house that used to be in Cavendish Square, long since demolished. The plaque now rests on the side of the John Lewis building on Holles Street not too far away. 

I could be wrong but I think the bit in inverted commas is a misquote. I suspect he would have found this amusing. 

My next stop took me to the former residence of P G Wodehouse, where at 17 Dunraven Street, the great man used to live. Wodehouse is my favourite writer and the area around Mayfair is where Plum - his nickname - found many of the locations and characters for some of his books and plays. The late Norman Murphy used to conduct legendary tours around this area highlighting this. 

To many his writing is approaching genius, if not reaching this accolate, and he remains (for me at least) the best thing to ever have come out of Dulwich College where he was educated. 

Not far too far away, stands the former home of James Bond creator, Ian Fleming. At 22 Ebury Street, very much in the thick of Belgravia and not far from Victoria Station, Fleming certainly lived in a prime location. 

Of course, when I took this photo I was asked by a passerby who should be the next James Bond. I think they were a little taken aback when I replied, it should be Jeff Bezos. I think it could work. 

Further up on the same road there is a plaque for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Aged eight, he composed his first symphony there. 

Not far away in Chelsea at 18 St Leonard's Terrace, is the house where Bram Stoker lived. He settled her in London after becoming the manager of actor Henry Irving. Stoker actually had the genesis of the idea for Dracula in 1897 after succumbing to a nightmare induced by eating too much crab. 

So, if you fancy writing your own novel, get down to your local fishmonger and stock up on crab...lots of it!

Not far away at 23 Tedworth Square, novelist Mark Twain lived in total seclusion after the sad and untimely death of his daughter Susy. 

When the plaque was put in place in 1960, Twain's other daughter Clara commented that her family has loved the house and surrounding area. 

While at 34 Tite Street, Oscar Wilde reached the height of his fame. It was here that he wrote 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest.' It was also the house he left to serve his time in jail in 1895. Interestingly, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde knew each other well from quite an early age. 

As a child and passing Albert Court - a stones throw from the Royal Albert Hall - regularly I was told stories about Howard Carter and his great discovery in Egypt. He lived at number 49 until his death in 1939. Tales of his adventures captivated me and probably one of the reasons why I have a History degree. There is no Blue Plaque at Albert Court but there is one on 19 Collingham Gardens.

Tucked away at  153 Cromwell Road stands the property that Sir Alfred Hitchcock had his first home with this wife. They stayed there for 13 years before heading off to Hollywood. 

I have always had a soft spot for Terry Thomas and his films. I do remember as a a small boy seeing him as we crossed paths, ironically Albert Court. Seeing that I recognised him, he winked and shouted out 'what ho!' I was on a high for about two months after that.  He lived at 11 Queen's Gate Mews (a wonderful location) for many years. I pass by quite near this street probably once a month and usually I go out of my way slightly to walk past. 

Saving the best to last, not far from Baker Street Station, on a post box you will find a small Blue Plaque to Danger Mouse, the greatest detective of them all!

This was a rather lovely 12ish mile cycle and I really did enjoy finding all these plaques - some I know very well and some that I have not seen before. If you are in London (of course other parts of the country have them too) try and spot a Blue Plaque on your travels or look one up to go and find. 

As today was so lovely, I think that I am going to take off the off-road tyres in favour of the more road friendly variety. This is purely as the sun was out and I am under the misapprehension that summer is but a step away. As soon as I have these tyres off, it will probably start snowing, raining and be back to zero temperatures! 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!