Kingston’s Ace of Spades: A 1930s Roadhouse with an Airstrip

The Ace of Spades Club, an opulent roadhouse in Kingston, was a dazzling entertainment hub during the interwar years, opening in 1927. Designed by Ernest Brander Musman, it was an architectural blend of Tudorbethan, country club, art deco, and pub styles, strategically positioned to cater to the burgeoning motor car culture of the 1930s. Patrons could arrive by car to enjoy a wide array of amenities and entertainment.

By day, the club offered miniature golf, a riding school, and a polo club. In 1933, an outdoor swimming pool was added, famously captured in British Pathe footage. Evenings transformed the venue into a vibrant hotspot with live music, comedy, and cabaret, often continuing until 4 am with acts like Percy Chandler and his band. Despite not holding a liquor licence, guests brought their own champagne and brandy, fuelling the revelry.

A unique feature, introduced in June 1933, was a dedicated aerodrome, located 400 yards west of the club. This airstrip facilitated ‘aerial garden parties,’ air races, flying circuses, and joyrides for guests, with pilots often receiving a complimentary lunch. The sight of planes landing was a draw itself, attracting curious drivers. However, this novelty came with risks, as demonstrated by airman Ben Turner, who, during a parachute attempt, was carried by wind onto a lion cage at Chessington Zoo, narrowly escaping attack by two enraged lions before being rescued.

The aerodrome ceased operations by 1937 due to surrounding housing development, though the pool remained popular for decades, even hosting actress Diana Dors in the 1950s. The Ace of Spades suffered a damaging fire in 1955 and eventually closed as a nightspot in the 1970s. Today, its mock-Tudor facade endures, housing a Tool Station, Topps Tiles, and Laser Quest, a curious modern echo of its glamorous past.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/aces-of-spades-club-kingston-aerodrome)