James Barr – General Manager of The Wesley Euston & Camden Town – explores the area's intriguing history whilst uncovering the Euston hotel’s own tales, including:
- Well-known figures spotted in the area
- Inspiration behind The Wesley
- The beginning of Euston Station
- Euston’s favourite sport
Over the years, employees have spotted many famous faces passing by The Wesley Euston, including music legends Oasis, current boxing world champion Daniel Dubois, cricketer Michael Vaughan, and footballers Rio Ferdinand and Virgil Van Dijk.
There are a number of reasons these stars as well as former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, human rights activist and author Terry Waite, former professional boxer Barry McGuigan, and Premier League football manager Sean Dyche have all visited the area and hotel.
The Wesley Euston Hotel history
Now a sustainable hotel in the heart of London, The Wesley Euston hotel once housed the British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association (BNF), a group formed in 1920 which represented the commercial interests of British manufacturers of copper, copper alloys, lead, zinc, and other non-ferrous metals.
With the purpose to carry out technical research on topics of commercial interest to their industry, and with Robert Hutton the appointed director in 1921, the building and its staff achieved a world-wide reputation.
Another pivotal moment in history for the original building was during World War II when much of the work being carried out there was vital for the use of the defence industry, including solving corrosion problems.
The inspiration behind The Wesley Hotel
The story behind the London hotel begins with Hilda Porter, a Methodist missionary and passionate advocate for young people and marginalised communities. Facing post-war challenges of rebuilding lives in the 1950s, Hilda founded the Methodist International House, a safe haven for students and travellers arriving in London, often alone and with limited means.
Hilda believed in the power of hospitality, and her vision was to offer a welcoming space that fostered understanding across cultures and faiths. Under her guidance and vision, over the decades the organisation evolved into what is now, The Wesley Euston Hotel.
When the building officially became the hotel we know it as today, it was named after John Wesley, the founder of The Methodist Movement, which now has almost 20 million members worldwide. The hotel embodies his principles of service, inclusivity, and ethical business, and remains the first ethical hotel in the UK, reinvesting its profits into charitable work, sustainability efforts, and community projects, including the Camden Town Methodist Church, co-located in The Wesley’s Camden boutique hotel.
The beginning of Euston Station
Euston Station, officially opened in 1837, was completely rebuilt in conjunction with the electrification of the West Coast Mainline in the 1960s, and was the first intercity railway station in London after the London & Birmingham Railway were authorised by Parliament to build their line between the two cities in 1833.
Designed by father and son engineers, George and Robert Stephenson, a simple train shed was built with two platforms in 1835, one for arrivals and one for departures.
Within five years the station was getting overcrowded, with lines from the Midlands and the North East making use of the station as their entrance to London. And so the first major expansion began in 1846, which would then be further enhanced and improved in the 1870s, 1890s, 1930s, and finally the 1960s, which by then steam locomotives were completely phased out.
Since its reopening in 1968 following its final large stage of development, there has been little change to the station’s overall design, and this is how we know it today - with 18 platforms; 15 for passengers, and three for parcels, making Euston Station the busiest inter-city passenger terminal in the country.
Euston’s Favourite Sport
While the area is more commonly associated with trains and travellers, it also holds a significant place in the history of British boxing.
During the early 20th century, working-class neighbourhoods around Euston and Camden had a taste for combative sports such as boxing. Local gyms and athletic clubs produced generations of fighters, many of whom sparred in church basements or community halls, earning reputations on the amateur circuit before climbing the ranks.
Boxing in Euston was more than just a sport to many, with fighters from this area frequently becoming symbols of hope and determination, admired by locals whether they won or lost.
Today, Euston still very much continues to share its pride and passion for the sport, with a number of successful boxing gyms. One of these includes Ringtone Boxing Gym, a popular boutique fitness centre founded by professional boxer, Ben Day, offering a range of boxing based classes, and personal sessions. The area's boxing legacy continues, with Daniel Dubois, the current IBF Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, having trained locally in gyms around Euston and Camden. The gym, located on Drummond Street, is filled with boxing memorabilia and has become a local landmark for boxing fans.
Former heavyweight boxing legend Henry Cooper also owned Piccolo Café on nearby Euston Street for many years, adding another layer to the area’s rich sporting legacy.
Reflecting on the history in the area, James Barr, General Manager at The Wesley, said: “From the thunder of steam trains to the echo of gloved fists, Euston's story is one of transformation and resilience, and at the Wesley Euston Hotel, we’re proud to be a part of the district's illustrious history.
“The Wesley Euston is not just a hotel, it's a legacy rooted in faith, hospitality and social justice, and one which will continue to thrive with an incredible team of staff passionate about it keeping its heritage alive."
In addition to The Wesley Euston, a 100-room hotel situated just steps from Euston Station, complete with a restaurant/ kitchen and bar, meeting rooms and spaces, as well as a new gym, the London hotel group also operates The Wesley Camden. This 38-room boutique hotel is located within the Camden Methodist Church building which opened in December 2022 following a £11 million conversion of the old Camden Town Methodist Church.
The area has also played a starring role on screen – parts of the hit BBC series Sherlock were filmed nearby, adding a touch of TV magic to Euston's streets.
For more information on The Wesley hotels, visit thewesley.co.uk