The Ace of Spades road house
Illustration by Mel of The Ace of Spades road-house on the Kingston by-pass, considered the first of its kind. Road-houses sprang up along arterial roads leading out of London, usually in Home Counties areas, and offered a range of entertainment and sporting facilities to patrons at a time when car ownership was increasing. Built in a Tudorbethan style using the timbers of an ancient barn on the site, it offered refreshments at all hours, dancing until 3am courtesy of Percy Chandler and his Band and cabaret. The floodlit swimming pool was warmed to 70 degreeds and there were dressing rooms for up to 120 bathers with a special make-up department for ladies who wanted to dance. There was a sister road-house on the Great West Road near Hounslow in Middlesex
