Wandsworths Patriotic Building
The infamous London Reception Centre of World War II.
Location: John Archer Way, Wandsworth, SW18 3SX
Description: The magnificent Royal Victoria Patriotic Building is a massive gothic Victorian building in Wandsworth combining Scottish Baronial and French Chteauesque.
Dating to 1859 it began as the Royal Victoria Patriotic School, an asylum for girls orphaned during the Crimean War. They had it tough, having to pump water up to the tanks in the towers, as well as do all the washing. They also had to wash outside in cold water.
During the Second World War, MI5 used it as the infamous London Reception Centre. Interrogators including 'spycatcher' Colonel Oreste Pinto interviewed over 30,000 immigrants here over a period of four years.
It's a Grade II* Listed Building designed by the architect Major Rohde Hawkins.
Above the entrance is a spendid statue of St George and the Dragon in a niche.
The infamous London Reception Centre of World War II. |
Ranking This Month: 1212/3071
Pages Hit This Month: 41
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Marble Hill House», 5.9km
Stockwell Bus Garage», 2.6km
The Ugliest Building in London», 2.4km
Fanum House and Snooker», 4.3km
Hampton Court Palace», 7.8km
David Adjaye's Lost House», 6.0km
Queen's Speech Racy Clinic», 4.9km
Admiral's House», 7.3km
Kew Palace», 5.5km
The Royal Military Academy», 10.km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»