Chester Terrace

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Chester Terrace is a row of neo-classical houses in Regent's Park, London. It has the longest continuous frontage in Regent's Park, about 280 metres. The terrace is named after the Earl of Chester, a title once used by George IV. It lies in the London Borough of Camden.

Plans were drawn by John Nash, but Decimus Burton redesigned most of the terrace. It was built by James Burton in 1825. All 42 houses are Grade I listed. At each end are large Corinthian arches with the terrace name on a blue background, possibly the biggest street signs in London.

Five houses are semi-detached, including Nash House at 3 Chester Terrace, which has a bust of John Nash on its west side, like the bust on All Souls Church, Langham Place.

During World War II the Nash buildings around the park were badly damaged and neglected. Restorations began in the early 1950s. The Crown Estate returned the terrace to private homes by 1957, after recommendations in a post-war report.

Blue plaques mark notable residents: at No. 13 is architect Charles Robert Cockerell, and at No. 27 is Air Marshal John Salmond.

Famous residents included John Profumo (No. 3, 1948–1965), Christine Keeler, composer Arnold Bax (No. 19), Sir Ralph Richardson and Meriel Forbes (No. 1), the Ooni of Ife at No. 24, and others such as Aubrey Beardsley, MKO Abiola, Charles Cockerell, William Coulson, Philip Asiodu, Leopold Redpath, and Emma Tennant (born there).

Chester Terrace has appeared in films and TV, including The Avengers episode “You’ll Catch Your Death” (1968); Keep The Aspidistra Flying (1997); The End of the Affair (1955); The Nanny (1965); Star! (1968); and Mrs Henderson Presents, in which it is the home of Laura Henderson (played by Judi Dench).