🧚‍♀️ The Fairy Tale Estate – Sidney Street Estate in Somers Town is known for its magical sculptures by artist Gilbert Bayes. Many are inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales, earning the estate its charming nickname. The original estate was demolished for a modern development completed in 1938, replacing old slums. Designed by Ian Hamilton, the new estate features bright yellow brick and a simple, practical yet welcoming style.

Bayes’ artwork beautifully enhances the estate’s elegant architecture with a series of half-roundels, also known as lunettes, placed above select balconies. These eye-catching features showcase vibrant glazed pottery figures in high relief, perfectly complemented by intricately crafted finials, adding a unique artistic touch to the building.

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Princess and the Swineherd, tells of a prince disguised as a swineherd. He owns a magical stewpot that releases fragrant smoke, spreading the scent of every meal in town to anyone who touches it. Enchanted by this, the princess desires the stewpot so much that she agrees to the swineherd’s shocking price of ten kisses. Yet, the story ends with a tragic twist.

The Little Mermaid

These lunettes show scenes from classic fairy tales, each with a round centre featuring two main characters. Made by Gilbert Bayes, a skilled architectural sculptor, these artworks are easy to see from a distance and use bright colours. The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen’s story stands out, holding the sleeping Prince, surrounded by sea themes like ships, waves, and seaweed, creating a peaceful ocean feel.

Another lunette shows The Goosegirl from Grimm’s Fairy Tales. It features a princess with two birds—one has a crown around its neck, the other wears a crown on its head—set against detailed floral and architectural designs. Bright colours and fine details enhance the magical feel of the artwork.

Washing Post Finials

Each block was named after a different saint. At the heart of the complex lay a courtyard featuring a circle of washing posts. Each post was topped with a distinctive finial, while a taller central post bore an even more ornate finial. These exquisite designs were created by the renowned sculptor Gilbert Bayes and expertly crafted by Royal Doulton. Every courtyard displayed its own unique theme—some drawn from nursery rhymes, others reflecting the saint who lent their name to the block.