NW London Time Machine
@timenw.bsky.social
History and imagery of NW London posted by Mark Amies, with contributions from others. No AI images. Please do spread the word & repost.
Originally started on Twitter in 2019.
https://pastrewind.wordpress.com/2025/02/25/the-victorian-villa-lost-in-time/
Originally started on Twitter in 2019.
https://pastrewind.wordpress.com/2025/02/25/the-victorian-villa-lost-in-time/
From the Cinema Theatre Association Instagram today.
November 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
From the Cinema Theatre Association Instagram today.
Reposted by NW London Time Machine
"The finest mattress made" : c.1930 publicity brochure from the bedmaking company whose works were then situated at the still eponymously named junction of the Edgware Road, North Circular and M1 in north London. Staples, formed in 1895, had links to the Heal's furnishings family.
flic.kr/p/2rEWjBX
flic.kr/p/2rEWjBX
![Staples Mattress : publicity brochure : Staples & Co. Ltd. : London : nd [c.1930]. A finely printed advertising brochure giving details of Staples metal bedframes and mattresses. The company's history was tied to that of the Heal family, the famous store owners. In 1895 Ambrose Heal acquired the UK patent rights to a sprung upholstery improvement from an American, John Staples. Heal set his son Harold up in business in Deptford to manufacture bedding and this became Staples & Co.
In 1910 the company passed into the sole control of Harold and in 1919 it became a private limited company. The move to Cricklewood and a purpose built factory came in 1926 and the site, on the junction of Edgware Road and the new North Circular Road became known as "Staples Corner". The company went on to become one of the best known maufacturers of bed frames, divans and mattresses gaining a Royal Warrant in 1923. Staples was acquired by competitor Myers in 1986 and production left the north London factory. Despite several changes of owners the Staples brand is still in use.
The company had high standards of advertising and publicity as evidenced here as well as a strong 'brand identity', using the Royal Warrant, with a standard serif typeface and strapline - "the finest Mattress made" - in italised script. This brochure, that includes a die-stamped relief warrant, has no printer but it could well be someone such as the Baynard Press.
The landscape format cover is in bright red with the Royal Warrant centred, diestanped in gold, and with the title "Staples Mattress" underneath also in gold. Below in black script lettering "The finest mattress made". The side edges are bordered in a black/gold linear pattern leading to buff card edges.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yqh2atawixxlb6ncx2fh73r6/bafkreifzdcenwrvhjgbp2f67uepx4uvrmvxoikjpjwrlp3up2wjwz6l3rq@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
"The finest mattress made" : c.1930 publicity brochure from the bedmaking company whose works were then situated at the still eponymously named junction of the Edgware Road, North Circular and M1 in north London. Staples, formed in 1895, had links to the Heal's furnishings family.
flic.kr/p/2rEWjBX
flic.kr/p/2rEWjBX
Reposted by NW London Time Machine
Highfield Court, Golders Green
1935
A.V. Pilichowski
Image from RIBApix
1935
A.V. Pilichowski
Image from RIBApix
November 13, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Highfield Court, Golders Green
1935
A.V. Pilichowski
Image from RIBApix
1935
A.V. Pilichowski
Image from RIBApix
Flying Up The Edgware Road, available to buy now.
YouTube video by Mark Amies
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 7:54 AM
A short video I did the other day.
youtu.be/oZjPhSHjvYM?...
youtu.be/oZjPhSHjvYM?...
When Kilburn was Home to an Aircraft Factory.
YouTube video by Mark Amies
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A short video I did the other day.
youtu.be/oZjPhSHjvYM?...
youtu.be/oZjPhSHjvYM?...
Barnet Council finally gets to demolish built heritage with public support.....
Councillors celebrate as derelict pub is demolished
The Jester, opposite Mount Pleasant roundabout, closed in 2013 and burned down in 2018 reports David Floyd
barnetpost.co.uk/2025/11/10/c...
The Jester, opposite Mount Pleasant roundabout, closed in 2013 and burned down in 2018 reports David Floyd
barnetpost.co.uk/2025/11/10/c...
Councillors celebrate as derelict pub is demolished
The Jester, opposite Mount Pleasant roundabout, closed in 2013 and burned down in 2018 reports David Floyd
barnetpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Barnet Council finally gets to demolish built heritage with public support.....
The 1960s Kilburn Square development is being redeveloped.
I took these yesterday. It looks like the original structure is being retained and then expanded. The new development is called The Terrace.
I took these yesterday. It looks like the original structure is being retained and then expanded. The new development is called The Terrace.
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The 1960s Kilburn Square development is being redeveloped.
I took these yesterday. It looks like the original structure is being retained and then expanded. The new development is called The Terrace.
I took these yesterday. It looks like the original structure is being retained and then expanded. The new development is called The Terrace.
On Rememberance Sunday, and article I did for @londonist.com a few years back, about William Leefe-Robinson, who is buried in Harrow Weald.
The Pilot Whose Act Of Bravery Was An Aviation First | Londonist share.google/XRaZAKKmDhKw...
The Pilot Whose Act Of Bravery Was An Aviation First | Londonist share.google/XRaZAKKmDhKw...
The Pilot Whose Act Of Bravery Was An Aviation First
The first to shoot down a Zeppelin.
share.google
November 9, 2025 at 9:44 AM
On Rememberance Sunday, and article I did for @londonist.com a few years back, about William Leefe-Robinson, who is buried in Harrow Weald.
The Pilot Whose Act Of Bravery Was An Aviation First | Londonist share.google/XRaZAKKmDhKw...
The Pilot Whose Act Of Bravery Was An Aviation First | Londonist share.google/XRaZAKKmDhKw...
The Queen of Hearts public house Queensbury, 1941 and now.
I've done a detailed post with more history and images here www.instagram.com/p/DQ04-mbjG5...
Archive images via National Brewery Heritage Trust/Alamy.
I've done a detailed post with more history and images here www.instagram.com/p/DQ04-mbjG5...
Archive images via National Brewery Heritage Trust/Alamy.
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
The Queen of Hearts public house Queensbury, 1941 and now.
I've done a detailed post with more history and images here www.instagram.com/p/DQ04-mbjG5...
Archive images via National Brewery Heritage Trust/Alamy.
I've done a detailed post with more history and images here www.instagram.com/p/DQ04-mbjG5...
Archive images via National Brewery Heritage Trust/Alamy.
Urban Explorer Report - Camden Town Deep Kecel Shelter.
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/camd...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/camd...
Report - - Camden Town Deep Level Shelter, London - June 2015 | Underground Sites
It's been an absolute hot minute since this happened, but better late than never? 😬
Same idea as the other 7 Deep Level Shelters under London, a twin pair of 427m (ish) long tunnels built undernea...
www.28dayslater.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Urban Explorer Report - Camden Town Deep Kecel Shelter.
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/camd...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/camd...
Urban Explorer Report - Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/zach...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/zach...
Report - - Zachary Merton Ward, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital - April 2020 | Asylums and Hospitals
Good afternoon lads and lasses,
we are new here and delighted to have joined the community! We did not even know about URBEX being 'a thing' until recently, so therefore we are super excited to share...
www.28dayslater.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Urban Explorer Report - Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/zach...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/zach...
Urban Explorer Report - Belsize Park Deep Level Shelter.
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/bels...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/bels...
Report - - Belsize Park Deep Level Shelter, London - February 2017 | Underground Sites
Bit late on posting this, but I've been going through photos from nights out with Suboffender back in the day and wanted to post it up as a tribute to him.
The history is pretty well known about thes...
www.28dayslater.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Urban Explorer Report - Belsize Park Deep Level Shelter.
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/bels...
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/bels...
A follower on the nwlondontimemachine Instagram account kindly messaged me to remind me about a number of Urban Explorer reports that exist for NW London. So I will be putting them up one at a time.
Here's the first one -
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/pinn...
Here's the first one -
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/pinn...
Report - - Pinner Chalk Mine, London - Nov 2022 | Underground Sites
History:
The earliest workings on Pinner's chalk are believed to date back as far as the 14th century, however, the main work on these mines did not begin until the 19th century.
At the time, these qu...
www.28dayslater.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A follower on the nwlondontimemachine Instagram account kindly messaged me to remind me about a number of Urban Explorer reports that exist for NW London. So I will be putting them up one at a time.
Here's the first one -
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/pinn...
Here's the first one -
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/pinn...
Whilst watching the BBC Four Eurythmics special I saw they mentioned Annie Lennox met Dave Stewart at a vegetarian restaurant in Hampstead, in 1977.
I found this gem on Facebook -
I found this gem on Facebook -
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Whilst watching the BBC Four Eurythmics special I saw they mentioned Annie Lennox met Dave Stewart at a vegetarian restaurant in Hampstead, in 1977.
I found this gem on Facebook -
I found this gem on Facebook -
Reposted by NW London Time Machine
📣 Object now to stop the demolition of Clive Lodge, one of the earliest homes in this leafy part of Ealing! 🧵
Object here to planning application Ref: 253085FUL
bit.ly/3Lo8EZH
Object here to planning application Ref: 253085FUL
bit.ly/3Lo8EZH
November 7, 2025 at 2:26 PM
📣 Object now to stop the demolition of Clive Lodge, one of the earliest homes in this leafy part of Ealing! 🧵
Object here to planning application Ref: 253085FUL
bit.ly/3Lo8EZH
Object here to planning application Ref: 253085FUL
bit.ly/3Lo8EZH
Short film No3.
The Police Training College at Hendon (Colindale). The narrator is almost certainly Graham Hill, the legendary F1 driver. This film looks like it was made in the very early 1970s.
youtu.be/aiL1_tI7Cz4?...
The Police Training College at Hendon (Colindale). The narrator is almost certainly Graham Hill, the legendary F1 driver. This film looks like it was made in the very early 1970s.
youtu.be/aiL1_tI7Cz4?...
1970s Police Driving School, Police Car POVs, HD from 35mm
YouTube video by Kinolibrary
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Short film No3.
The Police Training College at Hendon (Colindale). The narrator is almost certainly Graham Hill, the legendary F1 driver. This film looks like it was made in the very early 1970s.
youtu.be/aiL1_tI7Cz4?...
The Police Training College at Hendon (Colindale). The narrator is almost certainly Graham Hill, the legendary F1 driver. This film looks like it was made in the very early 1970s.
youtu.be/aiL1_tI7Cz4?...
Short Film No2.
This is Edgware Police Station on Whitchurch Lane, circa 1974.
youtu.be/tbj10BTxfrE?...
This is Edgware Police Station on Whitchurch Lane, circa 1974.
youtu.be/tbj10BTxfrE?...
Urban Police Station, 1960s, 1970s, UK, HD
YouTube video by Kinolibrary
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Short Film No2.
This is Edgware Police Station on Whitchurch Lane, circa 1974.
youtu.be/tbj10BTxfrE?...
This is Edgware Police Station on Whitchurch Lane, circa 1974.
youtu.be/tbj10BTxfrE?...
Have some short film treats for you. All featuring Police car in NW London. All courtesy of Kino Library.
Here's the first one.
It's a Jaguar Mk2 driving at speed along Stag Lane, Kingsbury, in the late 1960's
youtu.be/fz37MPu6iSM?...
Here's the first one.
It's a Jaguar Mk2 driving at speed along Stag Lane, Kingsbury, in the late 1960's
youtu.be/fz37MPu6iSM?...
1960s Police Car Driving Through Suburbs, UK, 35mm
YouTube video by Kinolibrary
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Have some short film treats for you. All featuring Police car in NW London. All courtesy of Kino Library.
Here's the first one.
It's a Jaguar Mk2 driving at speed along Stag Lane, Kingsbury, in the late 1960's
youtu.be/fz37MPu6iSM?...
Here's the first one.
It's a Jaguar Mk2 driving at speed along Stag Lane, Kingsbury, in the late 1960's
youtu.be/fz37MPu6iSM?...
Guest feature from Watford
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/2559661...
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/2559661...
Disused mill that became Watford's answer to Piccadilly Circus
A former mill in Lower High Street, close to where Tesco Extra is today, became a perfect site for Watford's answer to Piccadilly Circus.
www.watfordobserver.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Guest feature from Watford
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/2559661...
www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/2559661...
The developers of the Railway Hotel in Edgware have come up.with a history timeline page.
The Railway Hotel – Edgware Railway Hotel share.google/2zUVMSiBaFSf...
The Railway Hotel – Edgware Railway Hotel share.google/2zUVMSiBaFSf...
The Railway Hotel – Edgware Railway Hotel
share.google
November 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The developers of the Railway Hotel in Edgware have come up.with a history timeline page.
The Railway Hotel – Edgware Railway Hotel share.google/2zUVMSiBaFSf...
The Railway Hotel – Edgware Railway Hotel share.google/2zUVMSiBaFSf...
Camden approves Hopkins’ plans for Highgate Cemetery restoration | News | Building Design www.bdonline.co.uk/news/camden-...
November 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Camden approves Hopkins’ plans for Highgate Cemetery restoration | News | Building Design www.bdonline.co.uk/news/camden-...
Dollis Hill & Kilburn Tube Stations London 1950s
YouTube video by Kinolibrary
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM