Agar Grove, NW1

It links the ancient streets of York Way (Maiden Lane) to St Pancras Way, and continues to Royal College Street. The street runs along the lower edge of a slope.

Agar Grove was called after William Agar an irascible lawyer who lived in Camden. Having also been the name and the brains behind the squalid Agar Town, he opposed Regent’s Canal going through his land. Agar Town disappeared when the next transport revolution – the Midland Railway – arrived in the area.

This newly fashionable area was literally and figuratively undermined following the passing of the Midland Railway (Extension to London) Bill in 1863. The line was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Two cut and fill tunnels passed diagonally beneath Camden Road and the newly laid-out Camden Square and mews. The tracks emerged from the tunnel via a cutting south of Murray Mews, passed under Agar Grove and then went towards the vast railway lands which stretched towards St Pancras.

There was some development in Agar Grove during the 1840s, before the railway came. The majority of houses date from the 1860s – mostly semi-detached villas on a similar scale and design to houses in nearby St Augustine’s Road and Cantelowes Road.

Modern, post war housing is now very much an additional feature of Agar Grove.




1 comment

    • Cathy on July 5, 2021 at 2:03 pm
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    My mum lived in Agar Grove in the 50’s possibly the 60’s and the flat they lived in was over three levels. Apparently, it was haunted by a sea Captain and his wife. He murdered her and her screams could be heard. there were also lots of strange goings on at the flat, like breakfast appearing out of nowhere and door handles pulled down and doors opening (the kids were too young to reach them) They also heard humming (singing)
    I wonder if anyone else had heard of anything like this?

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