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What's Popular in Pimlico?

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History

Pimlico is becoming an increasingly popular place for young professionals wanting to live in central London. It is more affordable than neighbouring areas like Westminster or Belgravia and it has unbelievable access to the rest of London. Pimlico also sits on the river Thames across from the newly renovated Battersea Power Station and just down the way from Battersea Park. So why hasn’t this neighbourhood kept the same notoriety as the areas that surround it? To be truthful, it has.

The land was originally acquired by the Grosvenor family, when Sir Thomas Grosvenor married Mary Davies. At the time they not only owned the land that is now Pimlico but also modern-day Mayfair and Knightsbridge also. Nearly two hundred years later Lord Grosvenor hired architect Thomas Cubitt to develop the land. This proved difficult as the land was marshy and not suitable for construction, but by repurposing the soil dug up for St. Katharine’s Docks, Pimlico was given firm ground to be built on.

In the 19th century the development of Pimlico was underway as Cubitt designed a grid of striking terraced white stucco homes with the addition of lovely squares to match. It was an area dominated by the middle and upper middle class. The reason Pimlico lost popularity compared to its neighbouring areas is because it had a massive decline in the late 1800’s. The homes built were too big and too grand for one family and therefore became unaffordable. It was not until the mid-1930’s, after the great depression, that there was a resurgence in the area. Community housing was built and many of the homes that were too large to be owned by just one family were converted into flats.

Since then, the area has become immensely popular for politicians, like Winston Churchill, and other public servants because of its proximity to the House of Parliament. In 1972 Pimlico was added to the Victoria line and the area has had further developments like the addition of popular restaurants and bars making it the Pimlico we know today.

Popular Things To Do

When you walk around Pimlico you will find that there is no shortage of good places to eat or grab a drink. In addition, there are very cool spots you should visit when you have the chance. We have put together a list of popular things in Pimlico so you can discover it on your own!

Capital Car Boot Sale

Rain or shine this indoor/outdoor market is open every Sunday without fail except for when it falls on holidays. Forage through the stalls and you might find a vintage gem or the perfect thing to bring a room together. New vendors pop up every week so if you do not find something you like it’s always worth a trip back.

Pimlico Toy Library

London is not short of child friendly activities, but the Pimlico Toy Library is made for them. It was created under the premise that play is integral for a child’s development and happiness, and with over 1500 toys it is hard to imagine that a child will not be enjoying themselves while they are there. Qualified toy librarians are also around to help, so if you’re looking for an afternoon out with the kids this is the place.

Tate Britain Museum

Out of the 4 Tate museums across the UK the Tate Britain is the oldest, it opened on 21 July 1897. It is home to a world-renowned historical collection of Britain’s greatest art works. You can spend an hour or a day inside this museum and you will get your money’s worth as there is no entry fee. And when you’re done you can hop on a high-speed boat that will take you along the Thames directly to the Tate Modern!

Apollo Victoria Theatre

The Apollo Victoria is one of London’s premiere venues for musical theatre productions. Since 2006 it has been home to the world-famous production of Wicked, a spin-off narrative of The Wizard of Oz. If you want a memorable evening in London, the Apollo Victoria Theatre will surely deliver.

Pimlico Road Farmers’ Market

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On Saturday’s from 9am-2pm visit Pimlico Road Farmer’s Market in the heart of Pimlico at the leafy Orange Square! Every season you’ll find the best fresh fruit and vegetables, along with artisan bread, cheese, and fresh caught seafood. When you visit try and bring your own bags and food container instead of using new plastic.

Battersea Power Station

Just across the river the newly renovated Battersea Power Station has a choice of shops, bars, and restaurants to enjoy. You can also check the website for any upcoming events that are on through this summer and autumn. While the weather is still warm, it is also an ideal time to check out the Coaling Jetty on the Thames.