In the 18th century, Sloane Square looked much the same as it does today, except that the square was an open green space enclosed by wooden posts, connected by iron chains. It was here that Queen Charlotte’s Royal Volunteers often assembled, and marched off in military order to Hyde Park, headed by their band.

On the eastern side of the square, the same side as the Royal Court Theatre, stood Blandel Bridge, which crossed the Westbourne River - one of the old rivers of London.

It was nicknamed ’Bloody Bridge’ going back as far as 1590 - so-named allegedly following the murder of Lord Harrington’s cook who was attacked and beaten to death by highwaymen. Bloody Bridge/Blandel Bridge once comprised of a footbridge with a plank before a more substantial bridge was built in the reign of Charles II. The new bridge was about twelve to fourteen feet wide, and had walls on either side, high enough to protect pedestrians from falling into the river.

Before disappearing for good, it was later renamed Grosvenor Bridge - confusingly there’s a railway viaduct of the same name.


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