The second part of a tour of Pimlico neighbourhood to explore what it is like to live there, how the area has changed and how the local authority and housing associations have responded to the resulting housing need.

Whilst the first part of the tour concentrated on the physical building of the neighbourhood by the famous early 19th century spec builder Thomas Cubitt, this tour looks at what has happened to the area as less well-off people started to move in from the late 19th Century up to the present day.

The walk starts with a brief introduction to Thomas Cubitt looking at some of the physical changes which have taken place to the area and then starts walking from Tachbrook Market, south of Victoria, finishing towards south east of Pimlico, just north of Chelsea Bridge, at the Grosvenor canal and the luxury Grosvenor Waterside development.

It tells the story of some of the fictional and real life characters who rented rooms in the area in the 1940’s 50’s 60’s, introduces some key ideas and individuals in the public housing movement and tells some of the story of one estate’s journey of estate renewal, the Ebury Bridge Estate.

Pimlico, 'Mr Cubitt’s district' is a place where Londoner really live, away from the hustle and bustle, and only a stone’s throw from the country’s political centre. Through the example of Pimlico we see some typical aspects of how an inner London neighbourhood has responded to the social changes of the 19th and 20th century.

The brilliant and often forgotten post war writer and Observer architecture critic Iain Nairn lived in Pimlico in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He felt that Pimlico was like a garden village and really worked as a neighbourhood. He observed that ordinary people adapt their area to their own shifting circumstances and professionals, such as architects, planners, local authorities, and housing associations, either help or hinder, along the way.

Such changes and interventions will be observed as we virtually walk the second part of this tour.

This walk is self-contained and can be taken independently of the first walk, The Making of Pimlico Part 1 but if you missed the first walk and would like to fill in the gaps in the story, and come on that first tour, please contact me at Barbara.londontours@gmail.com

There is no charge for admission to this event. Instead, Barbara is inviting participants to make a donation to a charity that is close to her heart which is Crisis the UK national charity for the homeless. Your donation will help fund and support their year-round work with homeless people. To donate please go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barbara-wright9

Thank you.