Portsea Mews is a private mews tucked away just off Portsea Place in the heart of Connaught Village, combining residential and commercial properties within an attractive historic setting. The mews has an interesting past, having originally appeared on maps as Frederick Mews before taking the name Portsea Mews in the 1930s. Its origins are closely connected with the grand homes of the surrounding area, particularly those on Connaught Square, Connaught Street and what was then Frederick Square, later renamed Portsea Place. The mews provided a discreet service area where horses, carriages and other transport associated with the affluent residents could be kept away from the principal residential streets.

Unlike many London mews that were subsequently transformed almost entirely into residential addresses, Portsea Mews retained an important commercial role well into the modern era. From 1954 until 2018, its ground-floor premises were occupied by the family-run Handman & Collis garage, which was reputed to be one of central London’s oldest car repair businesses. This unusual continuation of the mews’s transport-related history gives Portsea Mews a distinctive character and sets it apart from many neighbouring residential mews. Today, its private setting sits just moments from the cafés, restaurants and independent shops of Connaught Village, while Marble Arch and the wider West End are within easy walking distance.

BOROUGH: City of Westminster