The musical history of mews in London

London’s Mews properties have undergone many reinventions since their equine heritage in the 18^th Century. Over the years, they’ve become luxury homes, classic car garages, ateliers in the fashion world, artists’ studios, upscale florists, and sanctuaries for writers and musicians. Perhaps, their intrinsic character and attractive frontages, together with their central locations in quiet cul-de-sacs and cobbled lanes nestled away from prying eyes and traffic, allows mews residents greater freedom of expression to indulge their creative spirit.

Composers staying in the Mews

Classical composers certainly seem to have found solace in the mews. Felix Mendelssohn stayed four or possibly five times with his friend Karl Klingemann, a Hungarian diplomat at his Belgravia home, 4 Hobart Place, backing onto the mews Eaton Row, SW1.

On one stay, only seven months before his premature death, Mendelssohn wrote a letter dated the 30^th April 1847, to a lady requesting that they readjust their meeting time. He had forgotten that he was going to the Opera House to hear Jenny Lind – the Swedish nightingale make her debut performance that same evening. It is said that Mendelssohn was besotted with the singer, and music scholars have discovered passionate love letters written by the composer asking Lind to embark on an adulterous love affair. German-born Mendelssohn grew to love London and said:

“[There is] no question that that smoky nest is my preferred city and will remain so. I feel quite emotional when I think of it.”

After over 100 years of waiting, in 2013, English Heritage was finally allowed to erect a blue plaque to celebrate Mendelssohn residing at the Grade II Listed house in 1847. 

More musical faces in the Mews

By coincidence, the exact same day that Mendelssohn died in November 1847, Hector Berlioz arrived in London. Another blue plaque commemorates the French Romantic composer, conductor and critic staying in Marylebone in 1851, when he worked as an adjudicator of musical instruments at the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. Berlioz rented lodgings just off Queen Anne Mews at 58 Queen Anne Street, Marylebone, where the Beethoven Quartet Society held recitals.

“I could easily hear the whole performance by simply opening my door. One evening I heard Beethoven’s trio in C minor being played. I opened my door wide – come in, come in, welcome proud melody! How fine and beautiful it is.” – Berlioz

Londoners’ appetite for new musical experiences and the fact that European composers could prosper better financially performing in London, was one of the reasons that

Hungary’s greatest composer, Béla Bartók visited the capital regularly. Between 1922 and 1937, on more than a dozen occasions, he stayed at his friend Sir David Wilson’s home, a leading civil servant, at 7 Sydney Place, South Kensington. This is considered a mews, specifically referred to as ‘Sydney Mews’; the private cul-de-sac is located off the Fulham Road with pedestrian access to Sydney Close, originally built on the site of a traditional mews.

No doubt, had these three maestros strolled around the neighbourhood in present times, they would have gravitated to the Royal College of Music. Today, conveniently located at the heart of South Kensington, are Jay Mews Studios in Markova House, just a few minutes from the RCM’s main building – spacious, airy and bright, perfect for music, theatre or dance rehearsals.

Good vibrations in the Mews

Mews and their distinctive residences are a popular choice for record producers and recording artists. Their layouts make ideal studio spaces with good acoustics and minimal distractions from noisy traffic or pedestrians walking past. Mews provide flexible accommodation that can be reconfigured to combine work, living and practical space that offers privacy and easy access for recognisable singers, keen to disappear in and out of the studio undetected. An example of this is Codrington Mews, a charming mews in Notting Hill W11, home to XL Recordings, one of the world’s most successful and independent record labels. The label was set up in 1989, and has represented artists such as Adele, The Prodigy, and Radiohead. It continues to release an average of six albums a year worldwide and operates across a range of genres.

Staying in Notting Hill W11 and hidden away in a corner of a mews cul-de-sac is Brian Eno’s recording studio, which is barely noticeable as you walk up the road, so narrow and encased by walls, that virtually only a horse could pass along. Eno himself describes this as “urban cloaking” and it is repeated when walking into his slim-looking building. 

In true mews fashion, once inside, you are impressed by high ceiling and a larg space, impossible to imagine from the exterior. This is Brian Eno’s London den – part-recording studio, part-private art gallery, part-library. Music artist David Byrne described it as, “A good place to get some thinking done.” According to Rolling Stone magazine, the mews building houses Eno’s music, artworks, and many other activities that occupy his time. On one wall are some of his light installations, rows of vinyl line another corner of his studio, and shelves of books are sorted neatly by category or theme.

Another place within the mews that has been known for its music is Brook’s Mews Wine House located behind Claridge’s Hotel in a quaint, cobbled Mayfair mews. The wine house is actually a converted, old carriage workshop, arranged over two floors with enormous picture windows. It has been known to host the acclaimed West End Sessions, where an eclectic mix of artists were brought together and curated by acclaimed star of Les Miserables and leading man, Daniel Koek.

The mews residents put on the show

And finally, let’s not forget the memorable street parties that some London mews host annually for residents, neighbours, friends and locals to gather together for seasonal enjoyment in their communities. One such gathering in Clover Mews hosted an event where each of the four mews owners invited 30 guests to enjoy a mini classical concert and of course, you can’t miss the Christmas carol singer who approach different neighbours, spreading joy in December. One thing’s for sure, life in the mews really does hit the high notes.