This was an unexpected pleasure. I was walking the length of the River Westbourne, one of the hidden, largely underground rivers that feed into the Thames when I came across Spedan Close.
It is a housing estate that was council built in the 1970’s when it was called the Branch Hill Estate and known as the most expensive council housing ever built. (You can read a very good history of the estate here.)
The white modernist two story houses are now privately owned and the name of the estate has been changed to Spedan Close. Although strikingly modernist, the development blends beautifully into the hilly landscape near West Heath, Hampstead, and on the hot summer’s day I discovered it, reminded me of a Mediterranean village.
Reddy-brown tiled walkways cut lines into the hillside off which leafy alleys lead to rows of small and cute white houses. These are restricted to two stories only in height but have the additional outdoor space of a rooftop garden which is reached by a spiral staircase.
There are plants and trees everywhere, which contrast nicely with the hard edges of the architecture and combine to create a Mediterranean colour palette.
I passed several people who live on the estate. All were quick to smile and the couple that I spoke to raved about the place, thoroughly enjoying living so close to Hampstead but in this unique and secluded little community. As the sun shone down and the birds sang in the trees overhead I understood their pleasure completely.
The houses were Grade II listed earlier this century and now change hands for well in excess of £1 million when they come on the market.
Clean up after your dog
Looking at the back of the houses
Underground car park to the left
Reddy-brown tiled walkways lead down through the estate
Not your typical two up two down
Front of the houses
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