Knightsbridge is a street in London running along the south side of Hyde Park. It is an area of financial wealth, museums and institutions
Knightsbridge was named after a crossing of the River Westbourne that is now an underground river.
It was for years known as a meeting place for highwaymen and robbers waiting to accost travellers on the way from London.
It has been an area targeted for high profile crime. In 1980 the Iranian Embassy siege took place lasting several days and only came to an end when the Special Air Services stormed the Embassy. In 1983 three shoppers and three policemen were killed by an IRA bomb outside Harrods. In 1987 thieves stole £60m from the Knightsbridge Security Deposit Centre.
To the north of Knightsbridge is situated the Hyde Park Barracks of the Household Cavalry. This Cavalry is split into two regiments, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.
The Household Cavalry Regiment has an active role serving in armoured fighting vehicles, often seen on the front line. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the Blues and Royals, mount guard at Horse Guards, Whitehall they are seen at the Trooping the Colour and at State and Royal ceremonies.
The Royal Albert Hall is best known for The Proms and the Festival of Remembrance. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 and was dedicated to her husband Prince Albert. It is used for pop, classical and rock concerts and has hosted sporting events such as boxing, wrestling and tennis. It is built in an oval shape and is a Grade I listed building.
Also in Knightsbridge is the Victoria and Albert Museum. Opened in 1852 it is a Victorian and Edwardian building with 145 galleries.
The Natural History Museum has around 70m items on display within five main categories, botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology.
The Science Museum is on Exhibition Road, this is a really good, interesting museum with lots of hand on exhibits that the children love to try out.
Knightsbridge has some of the most expensive properties in the world and therefore attracts some of the richest people. In 2006 a 4 bed apartment was sold for £25,000,000. Car spaces on a 94year lease are sold for £300,000 and development is valued at over £4,000 per sq. foot.
There is always property to rent available in Knightsbridge and prices are from £185 per week for a studio apartment. A l bed flat would cost from £225 to £475 per week and a 2 bed flat costs from £475 per week.
Knightsbridge is home to the most expensive shops with designers Jimmy Choo and Manola Blahnik in the area. It also has two Chanel shops. Some of the department stores in the area include Peter Jones and Harvey Nicholls.
Harrods probably the most famous shop in London is situated in Knightsbridge. It was originally opened in Knightsbridge in 1849 and was owned by Charles Henry Harrod.
It was to change hands several times during the 1900’s.
In 1985 the al Fayed family brought the store for £615m
It is known that up to 300,000 people visit the store per day and more than 5,000 people are employed in the store.
The area is also known for banks catering for the very wealthy including Coutts who are bankers to the Queen.
|
