THE MEWS OF LONDON: A guide to the hidden byways of London's past

About this book

This is the first book about one of Londons most remarkable features - the vast newtwork of former stable blocks left over from the days of the horse.There are more than 600 mews in London many discreetly hidden behind arches and they contain some of the prettiest and least-known houses in the city. The authors painstaking research leads them into an absorbing historical and sociological discussion of the mewsorigin and survival in a changing world. The reader is taken into unexplored corners full of romantic appeal where cobbled streets imposing arches and quaint architectural details give him a fleeting glimpse into another era of carriages and coachmen and the bygone days of gaslit streets. Illustrated with engravings from the past and Chris Wormwalds evocative photographs of present-day life in the mews this book is a unique blend of history and guidebook whose commentary is addressed to the Londoner and tourist to the walker and armchair explorer and to all who love the diversity of cities.