Many residents are not aware of the significance that their area had for the many artists and composers who took residence there at different stages of their careers.
One of the earliest artists in residence was Richard Cosway (1742-1821) after whom Cosway Street has been named. He was a small vain man who painted delicate portraits popular with the Prince of Wales. His studio in Stafford, now Cosway Street attracted many notable figures for portrait sittings during his time there.
The composer Haydn found a farmhouse where he could concentrate on composing and stayed in Lisson Green Farmhouse from May to August 1791.
In 1817 the painter Benjamin Haydon (1786-1846) moved from Great Marlborough Street to 22 Lisson Grove, a house owned by the sculptor John Rossi before his death.
A blue plaque to commemorate these great men is on the wall of 116 Lisson Grove.
Although the 19th century brought a move to St John’s Wood many artists and writers were to find a continued attraction to Lisson Grove, with Haydon writing of a dinner party at Lisson Grove with Wordsworth, Keats and Lamb.
In the 20th Century Abbey Road Recording Studios where The Beatles recorded much of their music with their producer Sir George Martin, music fans still flock to walk across the famous crossing which adorns not only the album of the same name but the same image can be found on mugs, T-shirts, books, many other items and you will often find different faces or people walking across the now famous road!
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie and Church Street