Backpacking the Former Self-Declared Republic of Frestonia
Posted: August 15, 2024 | Tagged: United Kingdom
Frestonia is a former, self-declared republic in Notting Hill, London. And yeah, unless you are a micronation geek, there is no real reason for you to have heard of it.
But perhaps you have heard of the British Punk band, The Clash? Well, their Immortal Combat album was recorded at the People's Hall which was in what was known as Frestonia and is the only building from that era still in existence.
But perhaps you have heard of the British Punk band, The Clash? Well, their Immortal Combat album was recorded at the People's Hall which was in what was known as Frestonia and is the only building from that era still in existence.
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What was the Republic of Frestonia?
In the early 1970s, the derelict, Victorian houses on Freston Road and Bramley Road were broken into by squatters. They set up electricity and water supplies and they made it their home and called it Frestonia.
After a while, the faced eviction from the council, so they decided to declare themselves, an independent nation.
And on October 31st, 1977, independence was declared.
The had their own postal stamps, tourists could come and visit, getting their passport stamped in the process. They even published their own newspaper. You can see some of these details on the Frestonia dot org website (I'm not linking it as it's only http) and the video embedded on the page give you a great opportunity to see how it looked with former Frestonians talking about their experiences.
Over a period of time, people left the area and the remaining residents no longer felt it was possible to keep the values as they once had and Frestonia fell into decline.
After a while, the faced eviction from the council, so they decided to declare themselves, an independent nation.
And on October 31st, 1977, independence was declared.
The had their own postal stamps, tourists could come and visit, getting their passport stamped in the process. They even published their own newspaper. You can see some of these details on the Frestonia dot org website (I'm not linking it as it's only http) and the video embedded on the page give you a great opportunity to see how it looked with former Frestonians talking about their experiences.
Over a period of time, people left the area and the remaining residents no longer felt it was possible to keep the values as they once had and Frestonia fell into decline.
Where was the Republic of Frestonia?
Frestonia was a 1.8-acre triangle of land formed by Freston Road, Bramley Road and Shalfleet Drive, which at the time, belonged at the time to the London Borough of Hammersmith and was part of Kensal Green (W10) and Notting Hill (W11).
How to get to the former Republic of Frestonia
The best option is to take the Underground and get off at Latimer Road. On exiting the Underground Station, turn immediately to the left and go under the railway bridge. This is Bramley Road.
I backpacked it last year but missed some important photos and the inspiration was missing.
With time at my disposal, I breakfasted on poached eggs with a mint tea at the Rosemary Cafe and Juicery on Finchley Road:
With time at my disposal, I breakfasted on poached eggs with a mint tea at the Rosemary Cafe and Juicery on Finchley Road:
Then took the Tube to Latimer Road:
From there it's just a short walk to what was, the Self-Declared Republic of Frestonia.
Backpacking Frestonia:
The Former Republic of Frestonia is a micronation. It's bizarre in the extreme. Other unrecognised, semi-autonomous, partially-recognised states that I have visited include, The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia, Freetown of Christiania, Transnistria and Uzupis.
Upon arrival, I made a beeline for the Frestons Cafe on Nicholas Road:
Upon arrival, I made a beeline for the Frestons Cafe on Nicholas Road:
Shame the internet wasn't working as it was a top spot for some blogging.
The People's Hall: The Clash recorded Mortal Combat here:
The People's Hall: The Clash recorded Mortal Combat here:
See also: Album covers shot in London
