History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

When the recent death of Queen Elizabeth led us to look at visits by royalty to Hampstead and its environs, we found some amusing and sad stories, extravagant displays of hospitality but also discovered that some reports were untrue. Probably the earliest error concerns Queen Boudica, the warrior queen of the Iceni who rebelled against the Roman invaders in 60-61AD. Some histories claimed she was buried under what is now a platform of King's Cross Station, others said on Hampstead Heath; in fact her final resting place is unknown. In Kilburn there is 4 Greville Place, marketed as George III’s hunting lodge, but built after the King died. Likewise, Lausanne Cottage, which stood on Kilburn High Road opposite the end of Willesden Lane, was said to be Charles II’s favourite hunting lodge. Again, the building date postdates the King’s death, this time by nearly 150 years. A visit to Kenwood King William IV drove through Hampstead in July 1835, to visit Lord Mansfield at Kenwood...