Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we take a walk through Earl's Court Square, a historic garden square in the heart of London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Join us as we explore the square's evolution from 19th-century agricultural land to a showcase of Italianate and Jacobean architecture.

We delve into the fascinating lives of notable residents, including Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett, choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, and Royal Ballet founder Ninette de Valois. Plus, we uncover the square’s gritty 1970s history, from its struggles with squalor to the infamous "Battle of Earl's Court"—a clash between traditionalist and modernist writers at the Poetry Society Bookshop that defined the British Poetry Revival. Tune in for a deep dive into the secrets behind the stuccoed terraces of this unique London landmark.