 
The Underground Map Added: 8 Dec 2020 00:24 GMT |
Othello takes a bow
On 1 November 1604, William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello was presented for the first time, at The Palace of Whitehall. The palace was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698. Seven years to the day, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy The Tempest was also presented for the first time, and also at the Palace of Whitehall.
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Emma Seif Added: 25 Jan 2022 19:06 GMT |
Birth of the Bluestocking Society
In about 1750, Elizabeth Montagu began hosting literary breakfasts in her home at 23 (now 31) Hill Street. These are considered the first meetings of the Bluestocking society.
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Linda Webb Added: 27 Sep 2021 05:51 GMT |
Hungerford Stairs
In 1794 my ancestor, George Webb, Clay Pipe Maker, lived in Hungerford Stairs, Strand. Source: Wakefields Merchant & Tradesmens General Directory London Westminster 1794
Source: Hungerford Stairs
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Roy Batham Added: 7 Jan 2022 07:17 GMT |
Smithy in Longacre
John Burris 1802-1848 Listed 1841 census as Burroughs was a blacksmith, address just given as Longacre.
Source: Batham/Wiseman - Family Tree
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www.violettrefusis.com Added: 17 Feb 2021 15:05 GMT |
Birth place
Violet Trefusis, writer, cosmopolitan intellectual and patron of the Arts was born at 2 Wilton Crescent SW1X.
Source: www.violettrefusis.com
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Scott Hatton Added: 11 Sep 2020 19:47 GMT |
Millions Of Rats In Busy London
The Daily Mail on 14 April 1903 reported "MILLIONS OF RATS IN BUSY LONDON"
A rat plague, unprecedented in the annals of London, has broken out on the north side of the Strand. The streets principally infested are Catherine street, Drury lane, Blackmore street, Clare Market and Russell street. Something akin to a reign of terror prevails among the inhabitants after nightfall. Women refuse to pass along Blackmore street and the lower parts of Stanhope street after dusk, for droves of rats perambulate the roadways and pavements, and may be seen running along the window ledges of the empty houses awaiting demolition by the County Council in the Strand to Holborn improvement scheme.
The rats, indeed, have appeared in almost-incredible numbers. "There are millions of them," said one shopkeeper, and his statement was supported by other residents. The unwelcome visitors have been evicted from their old haunts by the County Council housebreakers, and are now busily in search of new homes. The Gaiety Restaurant has been the greatest sufferer. Rats have invaded the premises in such force that the managers have had to close the large dining room on the first floor and the grill rooms on the ground floor and in the basement. Those three spacious halls which have witnessed many as semblages of theatre-goers are now qui:e deserted. Behind the wainscot of the bandstand in the grillroom is a large mound of linen shreds. This represents 1728 serviettes carried theee by the rats.
In the bar the removal of a panel disclosed the astonishing fact that the rats have dragged for a distance of seven or eight yards some thirty or forty beer and wine bottles and stacked them in such a fashion as to make comfortable sleeping places. Mr Williams. the manager of the restaurant, estimates that the rats have destroyed L200 worth of linen. Formerly the Gaiety Restaurant dined 2000 persons daily; no business whatever is now done in this direction.
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Julian Added: 23 Mar 2021 10:11 GMT |
Dennis Potter
Author Dennis Potter lived in Collingwood House in the 1970’s
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Jessie Doring Added: 22 Feb 2021 04:33 GMT |
Tisbury Court Jazz Bar
Jazz Bar opened in Tisbury Court by 2 Australians. Situated in underground basement. Can not remember how long it opened for.
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Richard Roques Added: 21 Jan 2021 16:53 GMT |
Buckingham Street residents
Here in Buckingham Street lived Samuel Pepys the diarist, Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling
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Justin Russ Added: 15 Feb 2021 20:25 GMT |
Binney Street, W1K
Binney St was previously named Thomas Street before the 1950’s. Before the 1840’s (approx.) it was named Bird St both above and below Oxford St.
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Jude Allen Added: 29 Jul 2021 07:53 GMT |
Bra top
I jave a jewelled item of clothong worn by a revie girl.
It is red with diamante straps. Inside it jas a label Bermans Revue 16 Orange Street but I cannot find any info online about the revue only that 16 Orange Street used to be a theatre. Does any one know about the revue. I would be intesrested to imagine the wearer of the article and her London life.
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| LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT |
Watts Added: 17 May 2022 20:29 GMT |
Baeethoven St School, also an Annex for Paddington College of FE.
In the early 70’s I took a two year science course at Paddington CFE. The science classes were held on weekday evenings at Beethoven Street school, overseen by chemistry teacher, Mr Tattershall.
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Added: 25 Apr 2022 22:11 GMT |
Southover, N12
Everyone knows Central Woodside is the place to be. Ever since kdog moved from finchtown, Woodside has been thriving.
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Bernard Miller Added: 12 Apr 2022 17:36 GMT |
My mother and her sister were born at 9 Windsor Terrace
My mother, Millie Haring (later Miller) and her sister Yetta Haring (later Freedman) were born here in 1922 and 1923. With their parents and older brother and sister, they lived in two rooms until they moved to Stoke Newington in 1929. She always said there were six rooms, six families, a shared sink on the first floor landing and a toilet in the backyard.
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Brian Lynch Added: 10 Apr 2022 13:38 GMT |
Staples Mattress Factory
An architect’s design of the Staples Mattress Factory
An image found on the website of Dalzell’s Beds, in Armagh Northern Ireland.
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Added: 19 Feb 2022 16:21 GMT |
Harmondsworth (1939 - 1965)
I lived in a house (Lostwithiel) on the Bath Road opposite the junction with Tythe Barn Lane, now a hotel site. Initially, aircraft used one of the diagonal runways directly in line with our house. I attended Sipson Primary School opposite the Three Magpies and celebrated my 21st birthday at The Peggy Bedford in 1959.
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Emma Seif Added: 25 Jan 2022 19:06 GMT |
Birth of the Bluestocking Society
In about 1750, Elizabeth Montagu began hosting literary breakfasts in her home at 23 (now 31) Hill Street. These are considered the first meetings of the Bluestocking society.
Reply |
Added: 14 Jan 2022 03:06 GMT |
Goldbourne Gardens W 10
I lived in Goldbourne Gardens in the 50,s very happy big bomb site
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Chris Nash Added: 10 Jan 2022 22:54 GMT |
Shortlands Close, DA17
Shortlands Close and the flats along it were constructed in the mid-1990s. Prior to this, the area was occupied by semi-detached houses with large gardens, which dated from the post-war period and were built on the site of Railway Farm. The farm and its buildings spanned the length of Abbey Road, on the south side of the North Kent Line railway tracks.
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Admiral Duncan The Admiral Duncan is well-known as one of Soho’s oldest gay pubs. De Hems De Hems has become a base for London’s Dutch community, serving bitterballen and frikandellen. Leicester Square Leicester Square, while indeed a square, is also the name for a tube station. Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly. Queen’s Theatre The Queen’s Theatre is located in Shaftesbury Avenue on the corner of Wardour Street. Royal Society The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine. St James’s St James’s is an exclusive area in the West End of London. Wyld’s Great Globe Wyld’s Great Globe was an attraction situated in Leicester Square between 1851 and 1862. Air Street, W1B Air Street was the most westerly street in London when newly built in 1658. Albany Courtyard, SW1Y The courtyard is named after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, who in 1791 purchased Melbourne House which stood on this site. Albany, W1J The Albany is an apartment complex in Piccadilly, divided into apartments in 1802. Albemarle Street, W1S Albemarle Street takes its name from the second Duke of Albermarle, son of General Monk. Archer Street, W1D Archer Street was Arch Street in 1675, Orchard Street in 1720 and Archer Street by 1746. Arlington Street, SW1A Arlington Street is named after Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, 17th century statesman and local landowner. Beak Street, W1B Beak Street runs roughly east-west between Regent Street and Lexington Street. Beak Street, W1F Beak Street is named after Thomas Beake, one of the Queen’s messengers. Boyle Street, W1S Boyle Street was built on a piece of land called the Ten Acres to discharge some Boyle family debts. Brewer Street, W1D Brewer Street runs west to east from Glasshouse Street to Wardour Street. Bridle Lane, W1F Bridle Lane is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Broadwick Street, W1F Broadwick Street runs west-east between Marshall Street and Wardour Street, crossing Berwick Street. Burlington Arcade, SW1Y Burlington Arcade is a covered shopping arcade, 179 metres in length, that runs from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens. Burlington Gardens, W1J Burlington Gardens, with houses dating from 1725, was laid out on land that was once part of the Burlington Estate. Bury Street, SW1A Bury Street runs north-to-south from Jermyn Street to King Street, crossing Ryder Street. Bury Street, SW1Y Bury Street runs north-to-south from Jermyn Street to King Street, crossing Ryder Street. Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y Carlton House Terrace consists of a pair of terraces - white stucco-faced houses on the south side of the street overlooking St James’s Park. Charing Cross Road, WC2H Charing Cross Road is a street running immediately north of St Martin-in-the-Fields to St Giles Circus. Church Place, W1J Church Place is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Cockspur Street, SW1A Cockspur Street is possibly after the cock fighting that formerly occurred here, cocks often having spurs attached to their feet during fights. Cork Street, W1S Cork Street, on the Burlington Estate, was named after Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork. Coventry Street, W1D Coventry Street is a short street connecting Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square. On the London Monopoly board, it was named after the politician Henry Coventry, secretary of state to Charles II. Dansey Place, W1D Dansey Place is one of the streets of London in the W1D postal area. Dover Street, W1S Dover Street is one of the streets of London in the W1S postal area. Duck Lane, W1F Duck Lane is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Duke Street, SW1Y Duke Street is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Eagle Place, SW1Y Eagle Place is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Fouberts Place, W1F Fouberts Place is named after a Frenchman who had a riding school here in the reign of Charles II. Great Windmill Street, W1F Great Windmill Street has had a long association with music and entertainment, most notably the Windmill Theatre. Greens Court, W1D Greens Court is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Ham Yard, W1D Ham Yard is one of the streets of London in the W1D postal area. Hanover Square, W1S Hanover Square was created as the ’Whig’ square with Cavendish Square being the ’Tory’ square. Hay Hill, W1S Hay Hill is one of the streets of London in the W1J postal area. Haymarket, SW1Y Haymarket – site of a former market selling hay until the 1830s. Hobhouse Court, WC2H Hobhouse Court is named after Sir John Cam Hobhouse, Victorian MP and arts patron. Kemp’s Court, W1F Kemp’s Court is situated in the heart of Berwick Street Market where a line of stalls stretch down both sides of the road. Kingly Court, W1B Kingly Court is one of the streets of London in the W1B postal area. Linen Hall, W1B Linen Hall is one of the streets of London in the W1B postal area. Masons Yard, SW1Y Masons Yard is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Meard Street, W1D John Meard, the younger was a carpenter, later a landowner, who developed the street. Mill Street, W1S Mill Street is one of the streets of London in the W1S postal area. Moor Street, W1D Moor Street is one of the streets of London in the W1D postal area. New Bond Street, W1J New Bond Street is the northernmost section of what is simply known as ’Bond Street’ in general use. Newburg Road, W1F Newburg Road is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Newport Court, WC2H Newport Court was laid out approximately on the site of the courtyard of Newport House. Newport Place, W1D Newport Place was named after Mountjoy Blount, Earl of Newport (Isle of Wight), who owned a house on Newport Street in the 17th century. Old Bond Street, W1J Old Bond Street was named for Sir Thomas Bond, a property developer from Peckham who laid out a number of streets in this part of the West End. Orange Street, WC2H Orange Street gets its name from William III, Prince of Orange - the reigning king when the street was built. Ormond Yard, SW1Y Ormond Yard is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Oxendon Street, W1D Oxendon Street, after Sir Henry Oxendon, husband of Mary Baker, daughter of Robert Baker who built the former Piccadilly House nearby. Pall Mall, SW1Y Pall Mall is one of the streets of London in the SW1Y postal area. Panton Street, W1D Panton Street was named after Colonel Thomas Panton, local property dealer of the 17th century. Park Place, SW1A Park Place is one of the streets of London in the SW1A postal area. Peter Street, W1F Peter Street is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Regent Place, W1B Regent Place is one of the streets of London in the W1B postal area. Romilly Street, W1D Romilly Street is a small street that runs behind Shaftesbury Avenue and takes its name from lawyer Samuel Romilly. Royal Arcade, W1S Royal Arcade is one of the streets of London in the W1S postal area. Rupert Court, W1D Rupert Court was named for Prince Rupert of the Rhine, the First Lord of the Admiralty when the court was built in 1676. Rupert Street, W1D Rupert Street – after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, noted 17th century general and son of Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James I. Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D Shaftesbury Avenue is a major street in the West End of London, named after Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. Silver Place, W1F Silver Place is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Smiths Court, W1D Smiths Court is one of the streets of London in the W1D postal area. Spring Gardens, WC2N Spring Gardens derives its name from the Spring Garden, formed in the 16th century as an addition to the pleasure grounds of Whitehall Palace. Stafford Street, W1S Stafford Street is named after Margaret Stafford, partner of developer Sir Thomas Bond who built on this site in the seventeenth century.
Suffolk Place, SW1Y The Earl of Suffolk (Thomas Howard) was the reason for the naming of Suffolk Place. Suffolk Street, SW1Y Suffolk Street was named after Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who owned a stable yard attached to Northumberland House which lay on this site. Swallow Street, W1B Swallow Street honours Thomas Swallow, lessee in 1540 of the pastures on which the road was built. Vigo Street, W1S Vigo Street is one of the streets of London in the W1S postal area. Walker’s Court, W1D Walker’s Court is one of the many passageways which in past years was known as ’Paved Alley’. Wardour Street, W1D The part of Wardour Street south of Shaftesbury Avenue runs through London’s Chinatown. Waterloo Place, SW1Y Waterloo Place, a broad extension of Regent Street, is awash with statues and monuments that honour heroes and statesmen of the British Empire. It is framed by palatial buildings designed by John Nash, the famed Regency-era architect and Decimus Burton, his protégé. West Street, WC2H West Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2H postal area. Whitcomb Street, WC2H Whitcomb Street - named after William Whitcomb, 17th century brewer and property developer. Admiral Duncan The Admiral Duncan is well-known as one of Soho’s oldest gay pubs. Ape and Bird This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Bar Termini This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Be@One This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Blocks Cafe This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Cirque Du Soir This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Clarence This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Clock House The Coach & Horses is a pub on the corner of Romilly Street and Greek Street. Comptons Of Soho This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. De Hems De Hems has become a base for London’s Dutch community, serving bitterballen and frikandellen. Duke Of Argyll This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Duke of Wellington This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Garlic & Shots This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Glasshouse Stores This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Golden Lion This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Graphic Bar This bar used to be known as the Midas Touch. Jamies Italian This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Leicester Arms This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Lyric This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Masons Arms This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. O’Neills This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Old Coffee House This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Red Lion This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Shakespeare’s Head This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Shampers Wine Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Slug & Lettuce This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. St James’ Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Sun & 13 Cantons This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Burlington Arms This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Clachan This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Glassblower This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The John Snow This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Kings Head This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Life Goddess This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The O’ Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Queen’s Head This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Shaston Arms This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Windmill This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Yard Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Three Greyhounds This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Unknown as yet This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Unknown as yet This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Waxy O’Connors This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Waxy’s Little Sister This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. West Harrow This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. White Horse This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. White Horse This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.
Piccadilly Circus was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly.
The junction has been a very busy traffic interchange since construction, as it lies at the centre of Theatreland and handles exit traffic from Piccadilly, which Charles Dickens, Jr. described in 1879: "Piccadilly, the great thoroughfare leading from the Haymarket and Regent-street westward to Hyde Park-corner, is the nearest approach to the Parisian boulevard of which London can boast." The circus lost its circular form in 1886 with the construction of Shaftesbury Avenue.
Piccadilly Circus tube station was opened 10 March 1906, on the Bakerloo Line, and on the Piccadilly Line in December of that year. In 1928, the station was extensively rebuilt to handle an increase in traffic.
The intersection’s first electric advertisements appeared in 1910, and, from 1923, electric billboards were set up on the facade of the London Pavilion. Traffic lights were first installed on 3 August 1926, at the junction.
The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus was erected in 1893 to commemorate the philanthropic works of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. During the Second World War, the statue atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain was removed and was replaced by advertising hoardings. It was returned in 1948. When the Circus underwent reconstruction work in the late 1980s, the entire fountain was moved from the centre of the junction at the beginning of Shaftesbury Avenue to its present position at the southwestern corner.
Air Street’s name is believed to be a corruption of ‘Ayres’, after Thomas Ayre, a local brewer and resident in the 17th century.
