Estate Agents Chelsea

Chelsea began life as a Saxon village some miles from the thriving town of London. The name Chelsea is derived from Saxon words cealc hythe. The word hythe meant a landing place for boats. The word cealc meant chalk so perhaps it was a chalky landing place for boats. In the Middle Ages Chelsea was a tiny village. However in the 16th and 17th centuries Chelsea became fashionable as a place to live for wealthy people. By the early 18th century Chelsea had a population of about 1,500 and was a large village, by the end of the 18th century it was beginning to be engulfed by London.  Meanwhile Kings Road got its name because in the 17th and 18th centuries it was a private road running to the royal palace at Hampton Court. The Royal Hospital Chelsea was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and was built in 1682-89 as a retirement home for old soldiers. The Chelsea Pensioners still wear the famous uniform of scarlet coats and tricorn hats. Sloane Square in Chelsea is named after Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) who was physician to George II. In the 19th century Chelsea grew rapidly and gained gas streetlight in 1824-1825. Chelsea Bridge was built in 1853 and Albert Bridge in 1873.