In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Chelsea like this:
Chelsea, parl. bor. and par. with ry. sta., on river Thames, Middlesex, 796 ac., pop. 88,128; was formerly a vil. 2 miles W. of London, but now forms part of the metropolis. In the 16th century C. was the residence of Queen Catherine Parr, Sir Thomas More, the Princess Elizabeth, Sir Hans Sloane, and many of the nobility. ...
In the 18th century it was a favourite resort of pleasure-seekers from the capital, the principal attractions being Ranelagh and Cremorne Gardens. C., however, is chiefly famous for its hospital for invalid soldiers, built by Sir Christopher Wren (1682-1690) on the site of King James's College. It has also a Royal Military Asylum, for the education of children connected with the army. Chelsea returns 1 member to Parliament; it returned 2 members till 1885, when its parliamentary limits were reduced by the formation of the new parliamentary boroughs of Fulham, Hammersmith, and Kensington.
Chelsea through time
Chelsea is now part of Kensington and Chelsea district. Click here for graphs and data of how Kensington and Chelsea has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Chelsea itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Chelsea, in Kensington and Chelsea and Middlesex | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/166
Date accessed: 09th November 2024
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