A walk down Brixton Water Lane
Photos © urban75 editor; article posted Aug 2007.

On a nippy late December afternoon in 2003, I took a stroll along Brixton Water Lane, heading eastwards from the junction with Brixton Hill, across Effra Road and past the entrance to Brockwell Park.

Many of the small shops didn't look too long for this world, so I grabbed a couple of shots for posterity.


Anastasi's cafe in December 2003. It was demolished in the summer of 2007.


A similar view from 1969 showing Brown's Bric a Brac Corner Shop on 47-49 Brixton Water Lane by the junction with Crownstone Road.


Tiny closed shop squeezed between Anastasi's cafe and Ken's Autos.


Ken's Autos - you can easily make out the two Victorian houses which were later combined and extended into one larger shop.


Rozanne Ladies Hairdressers looked like it hadn't done a rinse and perm for several years.


What looks like an old hall or church being restored.




Reaching Effra Road you can see the large Hobgoblin pub ahead.

Formerly the George Canning, the pub bit the dust in August 2007 and is set to be relaunched as a bizarre Scottish theme pub.


There's some delightful Regency and Victorian villas close to the entrance to Brockwell Park, although this one needs a bit of attention.


Another classic early Victorian villa, complete with verandah.


1973 view of the same house.




A Regency house dating back to around 1801 at 64 Water Lane, Brixton [Pic: June 2004].


A 1932 view of the same house, as published in the 'The Architect and Building News', 3rd June, 1932.


Attractive house on the corner of Brixton Water Lane and Dulwich Road, June 2004.



BRIXTON WATER LANE FACTS!

FILM FAME In the 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl (starring Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe) Charles, the Prince Regent (played by Olivier) asks Elsie Marina (played by Monroe) where she lives, to which Monroe replies "Brixton Water Lane."

MURDER MOST FOUL A "TRAGIC AND MYSTERIOUS MURDER" took place at 44 Brixton Water Lane in May, 1900 where a Mrs. Kate Wakenell was found with twenty-seven stabs from a pair of scissors.
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