Quick Fact
Rillington Place, the infamous London address linked to serial killer John Christie, no longer exists. The street was renamed Ruston Close in 1954 and the entire terrace was demolished in 1970. You'll now find the site as part of a modern housing estate in Ladbroke Grove, roughly 3.5 miles west of central London.
Geographic Context
It was just a small, unassuming cul-de-sac in Notting Hill. Honestly, its significance comes entirely from the profound notoriety it gained last century. That ordinary London address became a permanent fixture in British true crime history—a symbol of horrific murder and a terrible miscarriage of justice. These days, the area's been completely rebuilt. The physical traces of its dark past are gone, though the story itself remains a powerful piece of London's social history.
Key Details
| Event | Date | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| Street Renaming | May 1954 | Rillington Place was renamed Ruston Close to dissociate the area from John Christie. |
| Demolition | 1970 | The entire terrace, including the infamous No. 10, was demolished under police guard. |
| Christie's Execution | July 15, 1953 | John Christie was hanged at Pentonville Prison for his crimes. |
| Ethel Christie's Cremation | 1953 | Christie's wife was cremated at Kensal Green Crematorium; her ashes were collected by her brother. |
| Filming of "10 Rillington Place" | 1970 | The film was shot on location just prior to demolition, using the actual houses. |
Interesting Background
Here's the thing: it's a tragic tale of two men. John Christie, who lived at No. 10, murdered at least eight women there between 1943 and 1953. In a catastrophic failure of justice, his neighbor Timothy Evans was wrongly convicted and hanged in 1950 for murders Christie actually committed. That case, by the way, became a major driver for ending the death penalty in the UK in 1965. The street's new name, Ruston Close, had a grim personal link—Christie's wife had a sister whose married name was Lily Bartle. The 1970 film 10 Rillington Place, starring Richard Attenborough, was shot on the actual street. Demolition crews literally waited for filming to finish before moving in.
Practical Information
As of 2026, there's simply nothing left of the original place to see. The site's now part of the modern Bartle Road housing estate, just off St. Mark's Road in Ladbroke Grove (postcode W10). Your closest Tube stop is Ladbroke Grove on the Hammersmith & City Line. If you're curious about the history, the 1971 film 10 Rillington Place offers a stark look—it pops up on streaming services like Netflix now and then, though that changes all the time. The wider Notting Hill area has transformed dramatically since the 70s. It's now known for its vibrant culture, the annual Carnival, and some pretty upscale markets.
