Then & Now

Alexandra Park and Palace: What was there before?

Alexandra Palace and its Park dominate the skyline for miles around in North London. What was on the site previously?

Wood Green Crown Court : What was there before?

Little do the people entering in trepidation the portals of the imposing Wood Green Crown Court in Lordship Lane N22 suspect that this building and what stood on the site previously has a varied and interesting history to tell.

Greenridings House: What was there before ?

Greenridings House, a modern office block in the High Road Wood Green, houses a British Telecom switching centre. The building which stood on this site previously had a much more interesting appearance and history, as almshouses.

Before New River Village

The site of New River Village, circa 1833

The New River Village comprising 622 owner-occupied or rented apartments was built on a 15 acre site alongside Hornsey High Street between 2005 and 2007 by St. James Homes Ltd. What was there before? [Read more…] about Before New River Village

Haringey Civic Centre: What was there before ?

Fishmongers’ and Poulterers’ Almshouses, c1905

Wood Green was at the geographical centre of the 1965 local authority amalgamation which created the Borough of Haringey. So the new Civic Centre was located in the High Road opposite the turning to White Hart Lane. This site had a long history.

Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part Three

We consider our bathroom and en-suite facilities and our plumbed-in washing machines to be everyday life necessities, but what happened in Hornsey’s past when many houses lacked these essentials? [Read more…] about Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part Three

Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part Two

Dust Destructor chimney towering over Hornsey High Street

Recycling a new idea? No, over a hundred and fifty years ago our Hornsey predecessors had organised the recycling of their domestic waste in an impressive way on part of what is now Smithfield Square. [Read more…] about Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part Two

Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part 1

This major building development on a 13 acre site in Hornsey High Street has radically altered the appearance and character of Hornsey Village. What was there before the bulldozers got to work? [Read more…] about Smithfield Square’s Fascinating Past: Part 1

Hornsey: Birthplace Of Lotus Cars

Colin Chapman in a Lotus 11 at the British Grand Prix, 1956.

Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus Cars, started the business here in Hornsey. [Read more…] about Hornsey: Birthplace Of Lotus Cars

Then & Now

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