Saturday 23 July 2011

Mill Hill - Victorian gothic


Whereas Ruthven Street was graced with two-storey terraces decorated with 'Paddington lace', St James Road is populated with single-storey 'Victorian Gothic' terraces with 'gingerbread' barge boards. Neither thoroughfare is particularly long (about 250m) and they back onto each other, being separated only by a service lane.


Both style of housing is semi-detached, originally with toilet and laundry in structures in the back-yard. They appear to be vastly different in value, but frequently houses built in the second half of the 19th century were built by small speculators who built the first house, lived in it, whilst building the other 4 or 5 adjacent houses. So it may have been constrained by the wealth of the builder, not the buyer.

14 comments:

Thérèse said...

I like very much the term used "'gingerbread' barge boards" A very pleasant style.

Kay L. Davies said...

I think I could very happily live in one of these little beauties, Julie. I've always loved Victorian gingerbreading.

—Kay, Alberta, Canada

RedPat said...

They are so cute and so well-maintained!

Rae Walter said...

Beautiful captures Julie. Especially like the perspective of the third shot.

PJ said...

I love that kind of architectural confection, not too, too sweet.

Jim said...

They're beautiful.

Mo said...

What lovely houses

diane b said...

It is great how they have been renovated to how they were. They look well kept. I bet the well healed live there too. Cute architecture.

Unknown said...

Those are such pretty houses! I love the fabulous colours!

IWASNTBLOGGEDYESTERDAY said...

I love houses like this, so glad they have not been pulled down for units :)

Joan Elizabeth said...

What a great set of terraces. Interesting that high and low are in such close proximity. You live in a fascinating neighbourhood.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

For some reason we call the Victorian trim pieces "gingerbread." Go figyuh.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! The funny thing is I don't remember seeing these in the UK...

Julie said...

Really! That surprises me, Jose. Much of our earlier housing was lifted directly from there.