How about a visit to a house with a Modernist twist? I’m talking about Spaniards Mount. This detached house on Winnington Road is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to architectural vision.
Spaniards Mount was designed by Adrian Gilbert Scott. He created it as his personal residence. The house was completed in 1935. It earned a Grade II listing in November 1996. This recognizes its special architectural and historical interest.
The Historic England listing praises the design. It notes the influence of the Modern style. The design is similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s early 1920s work in California. The exterior combines historic details. It blends them with a Modernist feel. Scott displayed his designs for Spaniards Mount at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1938.
Bridget Cherry described Spaniards Mount in her architectural guide. She noted its harmonious blend. Brick-facing and sash windows meet a Modernist central balcony. She also mentioned its location near Hampstead Golf Club. This area features many Neo-Georgian houses.
There is also the Spaniards Inn. It is a historic pub with tales of highwaymen and literary giants. Could there be a connection? The Spaniards Inn dates back to 1585. It started as a tollhouse near the Bishop of London’s estate.
Legend says Dick Turpin frequented the inn. Some claim his father was the landlord. It is said Turpin watched the road. He looked for coaches to rob.
The origin of the name “Spaniards” is debated. It might come from a Spanish ambassador’s visit. Or, perhaps, from early Spanish landlords, Francesco and Juan Porero. A tragic duel over a woman led to Juan’s death. His ghost is said to haunt the pub. Others claim to have seen a woman in white in the garden. Some even spot Dick Turpin’s figure outside.
Despite ghost stories, some remain skeptical. Guy Lyon Playfair wrote about the inn’s hauntings. He suggested the stories are exaggerated. He did mention the sound of Black Bess’s hooves on quiet evenings.
Many famous figures visited the Spaniards Inn. These include poets like John Keats and Lord Byron. Novelists such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Mary Shelley also visited. Painters William Hogarth and John Constable were regulars too. Even Bram Stoker and Charles Dickens mentioned the inn in their novels.
The Spaniards Inn played a role in the Gordon Riots of 1780. The landlord provided drinks to rioters. This gave time to summon soldiers. The soldiers calmed the rioters. They had intended to burn down Kenwood House.
Today, the Spaniards Inn is located on Spaniards Road. It marks a boundary between Hampstead and Highgate. The road narrows near the inn. This is due to an old toll gate.
The toll gate dates back to the 18th century. It controlled access to the Bishop of London’s land. There were attempts to remove it. But the toll gate was listed as a Grade II building in 1974.
Nearby stands a house where Dame Henrietta Barnett lived. She was the founder of the Hampstead Garden Suburb.
So, consider Spaniards Mount and Spaniards Inn together. You see layers of history. From architectural innovation to tales of highwaymen. From literary gatherings to community milestones. This corner of London offers stories. These span centuries. They reflect the rich tapestry of English life.