A Piece Of London History

Built around 1700, just 34 years after the Great Fire of London, Number 1 Goodwin’s Court celebrates well over 300 years of existence with the completion of its painstaking ten-year revival. Part of a row of Grade II* Listed buildings within the Covent Garden Conservation Area, it’s a rare survivor of a building type reflecting the conditions of London’s Georgian working-classes and a living piece of London’s rich history as well as more recent fame as the inspiration for Ollivanders Wand Shop in the Harry Potter film franchise.

“Conservation not restoration”, the mantra of Stephen Bull, the highly respected owner of Heritage Building Conservation & Repair, a specialist contractor who oversaw every sensitive detail of this one-of-a-kind historic property project.

To start with, slowly & carefully, 325 years of the building’s layered history were gently peeled back, revealing an astonishing level of originality still intact. Nearly every corner of every floor, in some part, honours the legacy of this unique historic home which started life as a haberdashery.

Four time worn stone steps sit just below the exquisite front door. These steps remain a slight mystery as to their origin. Given the age of the building, it’s unlikely the excessive wear would have been generated by the customers of a simple haberdashery in Covent Garden. It’s more likely the steps were repurposed from an ancient building demolished at the same time this alleyway started construction meaning this gentle assent to the house could very well be stone work from the medieval period or even older. One of London’s last gas lamps, fixed to the exterior wall, bathes Goodwins Court in a hypnotic glow. It creates the perfect backdrop for the spot that inspired Ollivanders wand shop, located on Diagon Alley, drawing Harry Potter fans from all over the world to marvel at its magical ambiance.

Firstly, navigate the exquisitely preserved staircase from the upper ground floor into a beautifully appointed kitchen below. This is a room that connects you with another time entirely, a place that convinces you you’re living in another era. The cool York stone covered floor and period fireplace with a Mrs Beeton “beetonette” range oven, feels very age appropriate and balances well with a kitchen that has a deeply historic feel but not at the expense of subtle touches of modernity. Hidden away are fridge, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, an induction hob sits atop a solid oak counter top. Overhead, exposed, original time aged beams have been exposed and re-instated complete with state-of-the-art fire prevention misting system. The room also provides enough space to accommodate a kitchen table and chairs for low key, candle lit dinners.

From the kitchen, a reclaimed door connects you to a Georgian inspired tiled shower room with antique WC and wash hand basin, a room that fills the void of what originally served as the “Night Soil Alley”.

Dominating the raised ground floor reception room is an intricate bow window, a surviving relic from the early 1700s that remains largely in its original state. Intricate original detailing is elevated by a precisely matched heritage palette, establishing an authentic ambiance that flows throughout the residence. The room is anchored by a central fireplace, flanked with recessed shelving and adorned with original Wainscot panelling. A nod to its history as a former shop floor, two softly worn patches in the floorboards mark the spot where a shopkeeper stood for generations, a narrative etched into the very grain of the wood.

This weathered provenance extends to the original staircase carrying you up to the first floor. Each step displays its history but it’s the distempered walls & original plaster work that takes centre stage, its light blue patination resembling that of an impressionist painting.

A double bedroom occupies the first floor with forward facing sashes overlooking the historic alleyway. Time honoured features have been interwoven with faithful replacement pieces where necessary. Distinctive original plaster work sits between the windows and above the wainscot, plus authentic fireplace and reclaimed wood panelling elsewhere. Cupboards either side of the fireplace now house the convenience of an antique WC and wash hand basin.

One floor higher and another double bedroom. The softly textured lime rendered walls create a warmth that’s intensified courtesy of the natural light penetrating the room through dual aspect sashes. Historic details continue with beautifully aged & waxed, reclaimed floor boards and muted hue of the panelled walls. Traditional cupboards sit either side of a re-instated fireplace.

Essentially untouched since its construction, the historic loft void is in a class of its own and a glimpse into the past of its honest construction. Its 1700-era pegs and roof tiles remain in situ, with integrity compromised only by a few essential struts. It’s a masterpiece of preservation; it is a space that will stir the soul of any heritage purist.

Sitting at the epicenter of the Covent Garden conservation area, this home is connected to some of London’s best social settings, whether that be cultural days in and out of galleries, museums and London’s high profile landmarks, soaking up cafe culture at an ever evolving list of coffee houses and brasseries or heading to some of the capitals best destination dining spots. London’s dynamic theatrical scene surrounds Goodwins Court, globally recognised for traditional and immersive experiences. Top off with the late night events, bars, clubs for all walks of life, it’s a place to find your tribe with everything being just minutes on foot in any direction.

Much has been written about the joys of existing in this historic melting pot, as the saying goes, “if you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life”. Has that opinion changed over recent times? We’re not qualified to answer really but there’s only one way to find out….

Living in such a central location makes walking or cycling the primary pleasure—public transport is often an afterthought. When you need to travel further, the home is perfectly positioned between key stations. Charing Cross (Northern & Bakerloo lines, and National Rail) and Leicester Square (Bakerloo & Piccadilly lines) are equidistant. A short walk north, Tottenham Court Road offers Central and Northern lines plus the Elizabeth Line, providing swift connections to Canary Wharf and Heathrow.