Like the Bunch of Grapes, this pub is a grade II listed building and it is on the London Regional Inventory where the description is as follows: “This popular pub is but a small part of the massive Park Mansions retail and residential redevelopment by architect G D Martin: it is in the phase built in 1900-2. There had been a pub on the site for generations and thus we have an interesting example of continuous usage for the licensed trade. The name commemorates Joseph Paxton who designed the Crystal Palace which stood nearby. Superlative etched and cut glass can be found lining the walls, and in doors and baffles. Motifs include grotesque masks, mythical birds, fruit, flowers and swirling foliage – all stock features in the repertoire of contemporary pub glass designs. Note in the doors at the rear right PH monograms. The bar counter with its panelled front and the ornate stillion in the middle date back to 1902, as does the central lobby with clock above. Also attractive Lincrusta ceiling with foliage decoration. Originally there would have been subdivisions surrounding the counter but these have all been swept away. The superstructure on the counter and bridges to the side walls are modern work.

History in the area: The area of Hyde Park nearest the pub was the site, in 1851, of the Great Exhibition. 230 entries for the building to house it were rejected before Joseph Paxton’s stupendous glazed structure, based on the conservatory at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, where he was garden superintendent, was eventually chosen. It was removed to Sydenham where it enjoyed a new lease of life until destroyed in a spectacular blaze in 1936.”

The listing description is as follows: “Public house. 1900-02 by G. D. Martin as part of the Park Mansions development.

MATERIALS: red brick with stone dressings; first floor painted. Timber and glass ground floor facade with larvikite pilasters. Slate-hung Mansard roof. Red brick stack straddling the angle of the roof.

PLAN: single ground floor bar (formerly with subdivisions) with island servery. Corridor and stairs to right. Assembly room on first floor.

EXTERIOR: 7 storeys. Central entrance (with large fanlight) framed by 2-light, 4-centre-headed window on left, similar single light window on right. Further entrance on far right. On first floor, pairs of 4-centre-headed windows with small panes in the heads, in centre 2-light square-headed window. Second, third and fourth storeys with 3-sided bay windows framing 2-light windows in the centre. Fifth storey with broad segmental headed windows framing a 2-light window. Sixth floor 2-1-2 square-headed window configuration. Dormers in attic storey.

INTERIOR: Bar lined with plain and etched glass mirrors under square and semi-circular heads and rising to full height. Island servery with curved ends and fielded panel counter front. Contemporary bar back with ornate detail. Large gantry above counter probably mid C20. Lincrusta ceiling of 2 different patterns, that at the front with foliage trails, that at the back with geometrical designs. Fireplace to rear left with corbelled-out overmantel. Corridor also extensively covered with mirrors. Staircase to first and second floors with flat, pierced cast iron balusters. 2 brass light fittings on the half-landing to first floor. Assembly room with cast iron grill inscribed ‘David Wilson & Co. 77 Lever Street, London EC'; floral tiled borders. Timber panelling to window jambs. Marble fireplace.

HISTORY: Licensed premise has occupied the site since at least 1632 when it was known as the King's Head. From the 1760s it became known as the Granby's Head or the Marquis of Granby's Head. In 1851-3 it was rebuilt and took the present name. The building is highly unusual in that it has retained its ancient usage within a large modern development. A fine example of an ornate pub of c.1900 which retains its island servery and many of its other contemporary fittings.”

The Paxton's Head featured on the Evening Crawl of Belgravia in September 2002, the Cavaliers and Grenadiers; Evening Crawl of Knightsbridge and Belgravia in August 2009, and the Mews and Booze: Evening Crawl of Belgravia and Knightsbridge in September 2012.