Intended as the centre of an oval development comprising two crescents: Gloucester Crescent was built during the 1830's, but its corresponding crescent was abandoned as the railway extended. It seems a highly inappropriate name for a straight road. Leading off Gloucester Avenue, at the top of Parkway, Oval Road heads towards the Regents Canal. As you enter from this direction, on the right hand side you can't help but notice the beautiful terrace of Grade II listed Regency houses set back from Oval Road its own private drive called Regents Terrace.

Facing Regents Terrace there is an interesting mix of styles of architecture starting with a modern block of 2 storey terraces (award-winning in their day), then large Victorian semi-detached villas - the front doors of which are reached by steps. Most of these large buildings appear to have been converted into flats and some could do with a lick of paint.

As you pass the junction with Gloucester Crescent, the Rotunda (which is the head office of the Easy Group) was once a piano factory which faces a series of unobtrusive office blocks on one side and a terrace of flat fronted Victorian houses with doors opening directly onto the pavement.

Crossing the Jamestown Road junction, there is direct access onto the canal and the Pirate Castle entrance. There are still more small offices before you enter Gilbey's Yard at the very end which is a recently built block of Housing Association apartments with terraces, some of which must overlook the canal. Conveniently there is a walkway straight through to the Safeway supermarket off Chalk Farm Road.