Maida Vale is a great looking place to live, but it is also an interesting place to live. Here are 10 interesting facts about Maida Vale.
Maida Vale is named after a pub!
Okay, the true origins of the name of the area are grander than that but Maida Vale does take its name from the Hero of Maida, a long lost pub in the local area. The hero was General Sir John Stuart, who battled in Maida in Italy, and did much to restore the morale of the troops after a loss in Austerlitz.
Maida Vale was a predominantly Jewish area in London
Back at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Maida Vale had a reputation for being a Jewish district. The area was the home of the British Sephardi community and the 1896 Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue.
Maida Vale is home to a record breaker
The New Revue show is the Guinness World Record holder for the being the longest running live comedy show in the world. The show is held at the Canal Café Theatre which is located in Little Venice.
Maida Vale is a well-known music area
Thanks to the presence of the BBC sound studios in Delaware Road, Maida Vale has welcomed countless musicians and artists. The BBC has been in the area for over 80 years, with major celebrations taking place for the 75th anniversary back on 2009. The site was originally built back in 1909 where it was used as a roller skating venue.
The man that won the war was born in Maida Vale
While there were plenty of people who played a massive role in winning the Second World War, one of the key people involved in the fight was Alan Turing. Turing’s role in cracking German codes, while working at Bletchley Park, turned the tide in a war which many felt was running against Britain and the Allies. Turing was born in Maida Vale at the Colonnade Hospital.
Maida Vale has many blue plaques
Indicative of the number of people who hail from, or who lived in Maida Vale, who made a serious impact on Britain and the world, there are many blue plaques located around the area. These plaques commemorate Andreas Kalvos, a poet, Ambrose Fleming, an electrical engineer and physicist, David Ben-Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister, Lupino Lane, a film star, Edward Aedizzone, an illustrator and artist, Alan Turing and Arthur Lowe, an actor best known for his role at Captain Mainwaring in the Dad’s Army TV Show.
Maida Vale Station was the first with all-female staff
Maida Vale Station was regarded as being a pioneer in London as it was the first Tube station to open with an all-female staff. The Stationmaster was male, but he was based at another station while having responsibility for three stations.
Maida Vale Station welcomes tourists to see the station, not just use the trains
While the Little Venice station is regarded as being of a high standard, Maida Vale is considered by many to be even more posh and refined. The mosaics at the entrance of the station draw many admirers, making the station a tourist attraction in the local area.
A Jedi hails from Maida Vale
Star Wars is back in fashion these days and Maida Vale was the birthplace of one of the most important Jedis. Obi Wan Kenobi, or at least the actor that played him, Sir Alec Guinness was born in Maida Vale, at 155 Lauderdale Mansions South, Lauderdale Road. Guinness had an acting career for over 60 years, with a number of fine roles but for many, his role in the Star Wars films is what he will be remembered for.
You can catch a waterbus in Maida Vale
If traffic on the road is too much to bear, you can catch the regular waterbus service which travels to Regent’s Park, London Zoo and Camden Town.
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