10 Rillington Place Notting Hill London

So, there I was, wandering around Notting Hill, that vibrant London neighborhood known for its pastel houses and bohemian charm. I'd heard about a peculiar place nearby, a street with an unusual name: 10 Rillington Place. Now, I'm not one to shy away from a good mystery, so I decided to check it out. Little did I know, I was about to stumble upon a piece of London's dark history.

As I turned onto Rillington Place, I was greeted by a quiet, unassuming street. No pastel houses here, just a mix of old and new buildings, with a sense of history lurking in the shadows. Number 10 was a modest, terraced house, looking rather ordinary. But as they say, looks can be deceiving.

Welcome to the House of Horrors

You might be wondering, what's so special about this place? Well, buckle up, because it's not a pretty story. In the 1940s and 50s, this house was home to John Christie, a man who would become one of the most notorious serial killers in British history. He was convicted for the murders of eight women, but the true number might never be known.

Christie, a charming and unassuming man, would lure women back to his house under the pretense of showing them his collection of rare stamps. Once they were inside, he'd either strangle them or use carbon monoxide to kill them. He'd then hide the bodies in various parts of the house, even using the cellar as a makeshift morgue.

Exposing the Truth

Christie's crimes went undetected for years, thanks to his seemingly ordinary demeanor and the fact that many of his victims were vulnerable women, often prostitutes. But in 1953, a young woman named Beryl Evans moved into the house with her husband and baby. Tragically, both Beryl and her husband Tim were murdered by Christie, and their bodies hidden in the cellar.

10 Rillington Place Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images

It was the discovery of their bodies that eventually led to Christie's downfall. The police, investigating the Evans' disappearance, searched the house and found the hidden corpses. Christie was arrested, confessed to the murders, and was later hanged at Pentonville Prison in 1953.

After Christie's conviction, the house at 10 Rillington Place became a symbol of evil in London. It was eventually demolished in 1970, and a new block of flats was built in its place. But the memory of the horrors that took place there lingered, and the new building was given a different address: 23 Frognal.

What the real 10 Rillington Place in London looks like today | Metro News

Legacy of Fear

You might be thinking, why would anyone want to live in a place with such a dark past? Well, as they say, history repeats itself, and so do house prices. Despite its grim history, the flats at the former site of 10 Rillington Place are now worth a small fortune. But I can't help but wonder if the new residents ever feel a chill in the air, or hear whispers from the past.

So, the next time you're wandering around Notting Hill, take a moment to remember the dark history hidden in the quiet streets. And maybe, just maybe, give 23 Frognal a wide berth. After all, some places are better left in the past.