• Walk on down Frognal and turn left into Frognal Gardens…

 

• As this road bends right you will see a driveway on your left leading up to a substantial building (18 Frognal Gardens)…

 

Unusually, there are two plaques here - the first commemorates Sir Walter Besant and is colourfully decorated. The second remembers a politician and leader of the Labour Party - Hugh Gaitskell. His premature death meant that he never became prime minister, but he is remembered largely with respect from people both within and outside of the Labour Party. Gaitskell is regarded by some as "the best Prime Minister we never had”.  ///title.cans.gets

 

• If you enter this driveway for a closer view of the plaques remember that this is private land and do not disturb the occupants.

​

• Return to Frognal Gardens and on your left at number 8 there is another blue plaque…

 

Alistair Sim, the actor lived here from 1953 - 1975. He came to acting later in life than most and became one of Britain’s most celebrated and loved character actors on stage and screen.   ///tight.slam.relay

 

His films are still regularly screened on television including ‘An Inspector Calls’, ‘The Belles of St. Trinian’s', ‘The Happiest Days of Your Life’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Hue and Cry’ and many more. He once said - “It was revealed to me many years ago with conclusive certainty that I was a fool and that I had always been a fool. Since then I have been as happy as any man has a right to be”.