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The Bishops Avenue, London’s Hunting Park

One of the wealthiest streets in London, let alone the world, The Bishops Avenue and its cul-de-sacs, is home to approximately 110 properties. Yet this wasn’t always the case. Before 1887, it had at one point been part of the Bishop of London’s hunting park. The Bishop of London was also known as the Lord of the Manor of Finchley and commanded a great deal of respect and power in the city. This was until 1868, when all episcopal land was transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, opening up the area for commercialisation in 1887.

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Sir Arthur Elvin and Wembley Stadium

British businessman Sir Arthur Alvin is perhaps one of the most famous inhabitants of Ingram Avenue, a leafy street situated in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Residing at his home in Kenwood Close with his wife, the ‘Wizard of Wembley’ was best known for his achievements in the sporting arena.

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Urban Design in North London

As we struggle to meet housing demands, architects are continuously exploring new ideas and re-evaluating how they can meet new, modern ways of living. From state of the art settings to new housing developments, and even the restoration of historic buildings, there is always a need for reinvention and innovation.

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Highgate Schools: primary, secondary and independent

If you have children or are planning to have children, one of the biggest factors that plays a part in your search for a new home and the decision to move to a new area is the school situation. This is one decision you want to get right, giving your little ones the very best start in life. It helps to do your research so you can take the stress out of the search and concentrate on what you want your property to look like.

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Design guidance of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust

When it comes to early 20th-century domestic architecture and town planning, it doesn’t get more perfect and idyllic than the Hampstead Garden Suburb. The area is internationally renowned for its beautiful homes set in a well organised masterplan with landscaped square gardens and communal parks. It deserves to be carefully looked after. After all, imagine if everyone was allowed to come along and do what they wanted to their property? Within months, the area would lose everything that makes it unique – its character, craftsmanship, and distinct community feel.

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Belsize Park And The Proms

The UK is famous for many things, but perhaps one thing this country can lay claim to is its contribution to the music world. From the middle of the 18th century, London played host to a variety of promenade concerts in many of its picturesque pleasure gardens. But, it wasn’t until the early 19th century that ‘proms’ concerts became a notable fixture indoors.

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John Constable’s Hampstead

There is no denying that John Constable is one of England’s most famous landscape artists. Some of his most critically acclaimed paintings include Wivenhoe Park, painted in 1816, and The Hay Wain, painted in 1821. His paintings, influenced by nature, were composed in the romanticism movement style that was popular at the time. They became something of a rebellious statement in the art world, given that artists were taught only to use their imagination when painting pictures.

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1930s Moderne architecture in Hampstead Garden Suburb

Hampstead Garden Suburb might be one of the most picture-perfect areas in all of London, but it is not traditionally an area known for its modernist buildings and architecture. However, that is not to say that there are no examples of modernity here. In fact, this is an area that has seen a fair amount of experimentation from architects working in different eras and styles.

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The History of Cromwell House, Highgate

Cromwell House is undoubtedly one of London’s most striking buildings. In fact, as one of only two Grade I listed buildings in Haringey, this 17th-century property is one of the enduring landmarks in Highgate. Here at XUL, we believe that in order to fully appreciate incredible works such as these and take them into the future, we need to make sure we find out as much as possible about them.

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