Ace of Spades: London’s 1930s Roadhouse with a Private Aerodrome
The Ace of Spades club, an extraordinary roadhouse in Kingston, epitomized interwar glamour and innovation, operating from 1927 until the 1970s. Designed by Ernest Brander Musman, it was a unique architectural blend of Tudorbethan, country club, Art Deco, and pub styles, strategically positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning motor car culture. Patrons could easily arrive by car for dinner and dancing, enjoying a range of daytime activities like miniature golf, a riding school, and a polo club. Evenings featured vibrant live music, comedy, and cabaret, often continuing until the early hours with performers like Percy Chandler’s band, fueled by BYOB champagne and brandy due to the lack of an alcohol license.
The club’s most distinctive feature, added in June 1933, was a dedicated aerodrome located 400 yards west. This airstrip transformed the Ace of Spades into a hub for ‘aerial garden parties,’ air races, flying circuses, and joyrides for guests. Pilots landing there often received complimentary lunches, as the sight of their aircraft proved a significant draw, enticing curious drivers to pull over. However, this unique amenity wasn’t without its perils, as exemplified by airman Ben Turner, who, during a parachute attempt, was carried by wind onto a lion’s cage at nearby Chessington Zoo, narrowly escaping two enraged lions before being rescued.
Coinciding with the aerodrome’s opening, an outdoor swimming pool was also introduced, famed for its warmth even on cool evenings and later used by figures like Diana Dors. Despite its initial success, the aerodrome ceased operations by 1937 due to encroaching housing development. The club itself suffered a damaging fire in 1955 but persevered for another two decades. Today, the mock Tudor facade of the Ace of Spades still stands, repurposed into a commercial complex housing a Tool Station, Topps Tiles, and Laser Quest, serving as a nostalgic reminder of its opulent past as a premier London destination.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/aces-of-spades-club-kingston-aerodrome)
