Exploring Hampstead: The Crofts--Ferncroft Avenue

Ferncroft Avenue

Ferncroft Avenue is the longest of the three ‘Croft avenues, running southeast for approximately one third of a mile from Platt’s Lane to Heath Street (incorrectly shown on Google Maps as “Redington Gardens”). West of Hollycroft Avenue, Ferncroft rises gently; to the east, it drops sharply down from Croft Way to Kidderpore Gardens, then levels out to finish its course.

Five of the houses in Ferncroft are Grade II listed. All were designed by Quennell: Nos. 6-8 (1901), 12-14 (1901-02), 26-26a (1898), 33-35 (1902), and 40-42 (1904).  The first two—Nos. 6-8 and 12-14—are toward the Platt’s Lane end of the avenue, and are similar to the Quennell designs we saw in Hollycroft Avenue.  No. 12-14 (below) is the more interesting of the two.

No. 12-14 Ferncroft Ave.

No. 26-26a is a bit different. No. 26 is a stately asymmetrical design, with a tile-hung first floor and a cast-iron and glass hood over the column-framed entrance bay.  No. 26a (not pictured) is a former coach house, converted to a charming living space.

No. 26 Ferncroft Ave.

No. 33-35 is the most distinctive of the Ferncroft houses.  Although symmetrical, Quennel used an aggressive tile pattern and gabled windows, both unusual for the area.  The overall effect, as Heidi says, is that of a tall, elegant gingerbread house.

No. 35 Ferncroft Ave.

At the Heath Drive end of the avenue, No. 40-42 is only subtly asymmetrical.  I particularly like the tripartite dormer window in the roof of No. 42 (to the right), which would seem to me to create a wonderful little office or studio space.

Nos. 40-42 Ferncroft Ave.

Finally, I leave you with a photo of one of my favorite houses in The Crofts, No. 1 Rosecroft Avenue. I did not include this house in my discussion of Rosecroft because it is not listed and I know almost nothing about it. I have discovered that artist Gerald Scarfe lived here in the 1960s.  If you read The New Yorker or have seen the film Pink Floyd’s The Wall, you will recognize his work.  I have heard unverified rumours that Ralph Miliband -- prominent Marxist and father of politicians David and Ed -- lived here in 1959-1960.  I also know (from personal observation) that one of the current occupants drives a Bentley that he or she typically parks, uncovered, on the street, and that the gate of No. 1 is Jazz's favorite place to mark his territory.

No. 1 Rosecroft Ave.



For references, please see Part 1 here.