by Dorothee Schröder
A Riverside Name
Chelsea lies on the north bank of the River Thames in West London. Its name derives from an Old English term meaning “landing place for chalk or limestone,” reflecting its historic connection to the river.
From Manor to Royal Borough
Originally a manor and later a parish, Chelsea became the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea in 1900. In 1965 it was joined with Kensington to form today’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
A Tudor Residence
Chelsea Manor House was once home to Katherine Parr and Anne of Cleves, two of Henry VIII’s six wives, and to Princess Elizabeth, the future Elizabeth I.
An Artists’ Haven
In the nineteenth century, Chelsea attracted painters and became known as an artistic centre. Among those associated with the area were Dante Gabriel Rossetti, J.M.W. Turner, James McNeill Whistler, and John Singer Sargent.
King’s Road and Swinging London
King’s Road was originally a private route for King Charles II, running from St James’s Palace to Fulham, a privilege that lasted until the reign of George IV. In the 1960s and early 1970s it became a symbol of Swinging London and a centre of fashion and subculture, associated with designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant.
Famous Residents
Chelsea has been home to numerous notable figures, including members of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, musicians such as Bob Marley, Bryan Adams and Mark Knopfler, and writers including Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Ken Follett.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Founded by King Charles II, the Royal Hospital Chelsea was established as an almshouse and still serves as a retirement and nursing home for around 300 veterans of the British Army. Each May it hosts the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.
Chelsea FC
Chelsea Football Club is one of London’s most successful teams and competes in the Premier League. Its home ground, Stamford Bridge, is located just outside Chelsea in Fulham.
Life on the River
Chelsea’s houseboat village along Cheyne Walk forms part of the Thames Conservation Area. It is home to creatives and celebrities and also offers distinctive accommodation for rent.
An International Community
Chelsea has the largest American community outside the United States, with Americans making up around 6.5 per cent of its residents.
Cover picture: The Royal Hospital Chelsea (Philipp Röttgers)
