Dreaming of owning property in Britain’s most expensive square? Eaton Square awaits. It is a rectangular residential garden square in London’s Belgravia district. Eaton Square is the largest square in London.
Eaton Square’s story begins in the 19th century. The landowning Grosvenor family developed Belgravia. They named three squares after places in Cheshire. Eaton Square takes its name from Eaton Hall. Eaton Hall was the Grosvenor country house. Thomas Cubitt laid out the first block from 1827.
Eaton Square is grand. It is less grand than Belgrave Square. But Eaton Square is grander than Chester Square. In 2016, Eaton Square held a title. It was the “Most Expensive Place to Buy Property in Britain”. A full terraced house cost about £17 million. Many townhouses converted into upmarket apartments. These apartments retained their protected structures.
Six tree-planted central gardens adjoin Eaton Square. They are Grade II listed. They appear on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Buildings numbered 1–7, 8-12A, and others are statutorily listed. These buildings are mostly Grade II*. Numbers 1 to 7 and 63 to 66a are Grade II listed. Numbers 103 to 105 house the Belgian Embassy. Number 106 is home to the Bolivian Embassy. Even the K6 red telephone box outside Number 103 holds Grade II listed status.
Let’s consider the layout. Eaton Square’s houses are large. They feature a classical style. Terraces line the square. Houses generally have four or five storeys. Attics and basements add to their size. Mews houses sit behind the main buildings. White stucco facades are common. Some houses show underlying high-quality brickwork. The sides stand 350 feet apart. They are 1,615 feet long. Roads divide the rectangle into six compartments. Victoria’s approach to the King’s Road bisects the square. Four less important roads span the square. All roads adopt the name Eaton Square while crossing it. Most are one-way.
In 1900, the Welsh Industrial Association held an exhibition at Number 83. Winifred Countess of Dundonald rented the space. Alexandra Princess of Wales visited. Kathleen Duchess of Wellington presided over the refreshment room. She was assisted by Mrs A. J. Warden. Attractive ladies wore Welsh national costume. Ivor and Albertina Herbert of Llanover’s Harpist played.
During 1916 and 1917, Number 87 became the “Countess of Dundonald Hospital”. It treated wounded soldiers from the Great War. George V and Queen Consort Mary of Teck visited the patients. The Staff and Countess of Dundonald greeted them.
Before World War II, the homes were upper class. But other squares outranked it. Those squares were Belgrave Square and Grosvenor Square. The war led to commercial conversions. Eaton Square became largely residential again. This change increased its prominence. Some houses remain undivided. Many converted into flats or maisonettes. The Grosvenor Estate authorized these changes. Facades remain true to the original design. The Grosvenor Group still owns most freeholds. Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, uses one as his London home.
St Peter’s Church co-fronts the northeast end. It is a tree-lined Church of England church. It features a classical style and a six-columned Ionic portico. A slender clock tower rises behind the portico. Henry Hakewill designed it. It was built between 1824 and 1827.
From 1940 to 1944, the Belgian government in exile occupied three numbers. These numbers have long served as Belgium’s embassy in Britain. They also used other premises in central London.
Eaton Square has appeared in fiction. Adam Verver and his wife lived here in Henry James’ “The Golden Bowl”. In “Trial by Jury,” the judge invites guests to his house at “Five hundred and eleven, Eaton Square”.
Many notable residents have called Eaton Square home. Diana Mitford Lady Mosley resided at Number 2. One of John Bingham’s childhood homes was Number 22. He was the 7th Earl of Lucan. Neville Chamberlain lived at Number 37.
Eaton Square continues to evolve. It maintains its elegance. It remains one of London’s most desirable addresses. As we conclude our visit, consider Eaton Square’s lasting legacy.