History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

In this story we move away from our usual area to look at a large stadium which was built in Kensal Rise before developers created the modern streets. In 1890 All Souls College Oxford leased 27 acres of their land and the grandly named National Athletic Grounds were built close to Kensal Rise Station. The stadium soon became known locally as the Kensal Rise Athletic Grounds and it lasted to the end of WWI. The stadium and grounds were impressive. There was a banked velodrome track for the rapidly growing sport of cycling of 586 yards, or three laps to the mile. Inside there was a 440 yards cinder running track and also a 240 yards straight track. Spectators watched from a grandstand pavilion which could seat 1,000 people. The first meeting took place on the Whit Monday Bank Holiday 26 May 1890 and attracted 3,500 visitors. Admission was 1s, to the enclosures 2s and the grandstand was 3s. All tickets were half-price when bought in advance. The Hon Sec. was Sydney Lee, an auctioneer who ...