IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Goldsmiths Close, LONDON, W3 7EH

Built as almshouses by the Goldsmiths Company in 1811, they have recently been refurbished for private sale. Listed Grade II*.

Portico at the eastern end of the range.

One of the residential units (or more correctly, judging by the position of the chimney, parts of two). Each unit comprises a small reception room, a small bedroom, a small kitchen and a small bathroom - for an asking price in 2011 of around £350,000. (But you do have the kudos of living in a Grade II* Listed property!)

The central portico, behind which was a chapel which residents were required to attend. Listed Grade II*.

Detail of the portico with the Goldsmiths' Company coat of arms.

The site dates from the mid-seventeenth century, when it was owned by the famous goldsmith John Perryn. When he died the land was passed over to the Goldsmiths Company, which in 1811 decided to build a collection of almshouses. Twelve were built that year, with an additional eight houses in 1838. The Goldsmiths buildings were listed in 1981 to protect their architectural value and they are now a major focal point of the Acton Park Conservation area. In 2011, after years of lying empty, the almshouses were converted into 20 luxury homes by Charterhouse Standard Holdings.

James Radcliffe was one of the leaders of the rebellion of 1715, and was beheaded on 24 February 1716. He had a mansion in Horn Lane, Acton, and his widow put up this obelisk. It was moved to Acton Park in 1904.

Commemorating the Earl of Derwentwater who was executed in 1716 for his part in the 1715 Rebellion. Moved to this location from Derwentwater House in 1904, having been donated to the local Council. Listed Grade II.

To the stranger casually looking at a street map Shaa Road looks like a spelling mistake! Nonetheless here it is on site, complete with its road name plate and the old Ordnance Survey map of 1896 shows it with this spelling. A little Googling soon threw up the possible answer. It seems that the road is probably named after Sir Edmund Shaa, a goldsmith who was Mayor of London in 1482 and 1483 and an influential figure of the time in his dealings with Royalty. This is confirmed to a certain extent by the existence of The Goldsmith's Arms pub just around the corner from the other end of Shaa Road. The original properties in Shaa Road appear to have been built in the 1880s by George Wright and the area is now part of the Acton Park Conservation Area. This view is taken from Perryn Road.