🧚♀️The Fairy Tale Estate – The Sidney Street Estate in Somers Town is famed for its captivating sculptural works by the renowned artist Gilbert Bayes, many inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales. This artistic influence earned it the charming nickname, The Fairy Tale Estate. The original Sidney Street Estate was demolished to make way for the new development, completed in 1938 to replace the slums. Designed by architect Ian Hamilton, the estate features yellow stock brick and a practical, utilitarian style.
The estate’s architectural elegance is enhanced by Bayes’ artwork: a series of half-roundels, or lunettes, placed above select balconies, featuring vibrant glazed pottery figures in high relief, beautifully complemented by intricately designed finials.
Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Princess and the Swineherd, tells the story of a prince who disguises himself as a swineherd. He owns a magical stewpot that releases smoke carrying the scent of every meal being cooked in the town to anyone who touches it. Fascinated by this marvel, the princess desires the stewpot so deeply that she agrees to the swineherd’s outrageous price of ten kisses. However, the story ultimately takes a tragic turn.
These lunettes depict scenes from classic fairy tales, each centred around a circular motif featuring two main characters, surrounded by triangular segments filled with complementary imagery. Designed by Bayes, an expert in architectural sculpture, these artworks are crafted for maximum visibility from a distance, enhanced by vibrant colours. Particularly striking is the portrayal of The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen’s tale; she gently cradles the sleeping Prince, framed by nautical elements such as ships, stylised waves, and seaweed, creating a unified maritime theme.
Another lunette portrays The Goosegirl from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, featuring a princess accompanied by two birds—one wearing a crown around its neck, the other crowned atop its head—set against intricate floral and architectural designs. Vibrant colours and exquisite details enhance the artwork’s enchanting allure.
Other missing finials showcased designs such as black birds, green fish, and mythical creatures. A Christmas tree finial also remains, probably a reproduction.
Elsewhere on the estate, the washing line post finials were originally decorated with miniature ships, though most have since been replaced with replicas due to theft. A few original finials were recovered at auction as recently as 2015.
Ornamental ironwork throughout the estate features recurring floral motifs, anchors, and sharks in relief, accentuated by a blue plaque honouring Father Basil Jellicoe, founder of the St Pancras House Improvement Society. A standout element is a gate adorned with a small child standing on a book, framed by a radiant sunburst design.
The Little Mermaid