The English Blog » Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia – the home of SGI

Max Loach — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:11:20 +0000

Situated in the north east corner of Fitzrovia, and only about an 8 minute walk from SGI in Margaret Street, Fitzroy Square is a truly magnificent Georgian Square that is well worth a visit.

This famous square takes its name from the original owner of the land, Charles Fitzroy, who commissioned the distinguished architect Robert Adam to provide designs for a handsome new square that would attract aristocrat families to live there. Work commenced in 1794 and was completed on two sides of the square in 1798. These buildings are fronted in the striking white Portland stone that can be found all over Central London.

As the square is largely for pedestrians only, it has a wonderful tranquil air when you enter it, a real oasis of green and calm, even though you are only ever a few minutes away from busy main roads.

Fitzrovia, as mentioned in previous articles, is famous for it’s artistic past and indeed Fitzroy Square has had its fair share of famous residents. These include the famous novelist Virginia Wolf, who lived at no 29. Another resident of no 29, but not at the same time as Virginia, was the playwright George Bernard Shaw, and a current resident of the square is the author Ian McEwan, who set much of his 2005 novel Saturday in the square.

A sculpture by Naomi Blake in Fitzroy Square Garden

The Fitzroy Tavern

Max Loach — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:48:33 +0000

This famous pub is just a few minutes down the road from SGI, in nearby Charlotte Street. Named after the Fitzroy family, who were ennobled by Charles II, the pub is credited with giving the London district of Fitzrovia its name. The Fitzroy Tavern is basically an old Victorian pub, historically popular with famous artists and writers, with its heyday probably being the thirties and forties. Some of the regulars at the pub included Augustus John the painter, as well as George Orwell and Dylan Thomas the writers. It maintains literary links with the Writer’s Bar downstairs and still attracts many famous faces from public life. With plenty of seating there is a lively but relaxed feel to the pub. Food can be eaten outside or inside with choices from a traditional pub menu. Why not pop down there for a pint and soak up some of the history?

The Social

Max Loach — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:59:43 +0000

The Social is a very popular music bar in Little Portland Street, just two minutes from the school. Students always say they have a good time when they visit here. The bar people are friendly and there are plenty of seats, a small dance floor and the drinks are not too expensive for Central London.
Mostly though, the Social is a great place to go because of the music. There are live DJ’s and live music in the downstairs area most nights of the week. The place is very popular with people who work and live locally and thei hip hop karaoke evening is legendary across London.

This makes for a great night out in the city centre that everyone can afford!

All Saints Church

Max Loach — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:53:52 +0000

All Saints Church. Margaret Street: opposite the school entrance.
We are very fortunate at St George International to be located in Margaret Street directly opposite the magnificent church of All Saints. Completed in 1852, All Saints is built in the grand Victorian Gothic style and has an absolutely wonderful interior that really takes your breath away.

One great feature of the church is the beautiful tranquil courtyard full of flowers and plants that is very popular with our students who you will see relaxing there in the coffee breaks and at lunchtime.

The King and Queen pub

Max Loach — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:49:36 +0000

American music legend – Bob Dylan – first ever London and European appearance at the King and Queen pub, Foley Street, Fitzrovia.
The King and Queen is a traditional small English pub, just a five minute walk from the school and a place where SGI regularly holds student quiz nights and social events in the upstairs room. What many people don’t know is that the ‘upstairs room’ of this modest English public house was the setting for the first ever appearance in London and Europe of the world-famous American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The evening, in late December 1962, is remembered by Martin Carthy, a well-known English folk singer at the time:

“There was a regular Friday night folk club upstairs at the pub and I remember, while I was singing a song, there was this guy who I’d seen on the cover of some magazines sitting near the front in the audience. I finished a couple of songs, walked over to him and said, “You’re Bob Dylan”!

It seems Bob was reluctant at first but eventually he performed three songs. Carthy remembers ‘he had fabulous presence and a great sense of comedy’,
Now, above the bar of the pub, there is a row of portraits of English Kings and Queens through the ages. Except at the very end of the row, where there is a framed black and white photo of Bob Dylan, the music legend, performing for free in the pub’s upstairs room, nearly fifty year’s ago.

The BT Tower

Max Loach — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:44:29 +0000

As you know, SGI is based in Central London, close to Oxford Street and Regent Street. What you probably don’t know is that we are actually in a neighbourhood known as Fitzrovia, a district with a wonderfully long and colourful history. Here’s the first of many interesting facts about SGI’s neighbourhood.

The BT Tower
Fitzrovia’s most famous landmark is the ‘BT Tower’ – You can see this glassy tall cylindrical building (opened 1966) from all over London. In its early days it used to have a revolving restaurant and an annual race up the stairs of the tower. It is now used by the national telecommunications company British Telecom ( BT) as a communications hub.

The BT Tower in the movies – In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry is seen flying over the tower in an old English car ( a Ford Anglia) with his good friend, Ron Weasley.