North London Food & Culture

13 brilliant old pictures of Kentish Town

A popular Facebook group is a fascinating resource of memories, anecdotes and pictures from a forgotten era

1. This Wimpy Bar in the 1960s

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It’s now Indian restaurant the Bengal Lancer. Photo: David Leer

2. And this is what it looks like inside

That's David Leer's mum and her friend when it first opened. Photo: David Leer
That’s the Facebook group founder David Leer’s mum and her friend when it first opened. Photo: David Leer

3. Kids: so innocent back then

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‘This is me being photobombed by Marie, With my Dad’s lorry outside the house on 64 Allcroft Rd,’ says Stan Tear.

4. Is that really Queen’s Crescent?

And the Biscuit Shop was where you got broken biscuits and cream wafers. Image: Creative Commons
The Biscuit Shop was where you got broken biscuits and cream wafers. Image: Creative Commons

5. And this?

The Dreghorn Castle (left) is now the William Hill. Photo posted by David Leer
The Dreghorn Castle (left) is now a branch of William Hill. Photo posted by David Leer

6. Now, an easy one

Doesn't it look delightful? Photo: Creative Commons
Doesn’t it all look delightful? Photo: Creative Commons

7. But hang on, where on earth was this?

And where was Gospel Oak Grove exactly?
Gospel Oak Grove, that’s where (RIP). Lismore Road was already torn down by this point. Photo posted by Don Salvage

8. And now: boozers. Recognise this one?

Royal Arms
The Royal Arms is now known as the popular Lion & Unicorn. Photo posted by David Leer

9. Or this?

Wheatsheaf
The Wheatsheaf pub (right) was in Lismore Circus before being torn down like much of the area. Photo posted by Peter Hutton

10. Stepping back a bit further…

King Harold
The King Harold was on the corner of long-gone Rochdale Street and Gospel Oak Grove. Photo posted by Stan Tear

11. Well, at least you’ll know this watering hole

Well, at least you'll know this
Hurray! The Gipsy Queen is pub that still stands and once again goes by its original name. Photo posted by Paul Croucher

12. And this, on Kentish Town Road

 The Old Farmhouse is now Camden's Daughter (and recently O'Reilly's.) Photo posted by David Leer
The Old Farmhouse is now Camden’s Daughter (until recently it was O’Reilly’s.) Photo posted by David Leer

13. And finally, need a visual hug?

Feast your eyes on this Woolworths. Photo posted by David Leer
Feast your eyes on this comforting pic of Woolworths. Sigh. Photo posted by David Leer

Now meet David Leer, the bloke who started the Facebook group where these pictures were posted, Who Grew Up In Kentish Town in the 1960s & 70s?

'I can't believe the response we're getting.' David Leer
‘I can’t believe the response we’re getting.’ David Leer

What was so great about the area at that time?
I was born in 1954 and Kentish Town was absolutely fantastic back then: growing up in Islip Street, the Saturday morning pictures at the ABC cost sixpence to get in, then we’d get a bag of chips for fourpence to eat on the way home. Later me and my mates would have a drink in the Tally Ho pub, and when that closed for the night we’d all go over the road to a place called the Street Sisco next door to the Bull & Gate.
Where else would you hang out?
The Wimpy bar (see above) was a place we used to meet in quite a lot. I met my wife there, who used to live in Highgate Road, and I married when we were 18. Since we’re now celebrating 43 years and are still going strong, Kentish Town will always have a special place in my heart no matter where I live now.

Why start the Facebook group?
To try and bring together people of that era, including friends and family. I cannot believe the response we’re getting: not a day has gone by without someone wanting to join our group, with so many pictures and stories that have been outstanding.


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Yay. Where do you live now?
Like most of my friends and family we moved out of London and now live in Essex. I still come back to Kentish Town every two weeks to visit my mum. I look forward to the trip – and still call the area home.

Join the Facebook group here


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