 
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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Reg Carr Added: 10 Feb 2021 12:11 GMT | Campbellite Meeting In 1848 the Campbellites (Disciples of Christ) met in Elstree Street, where their congregation was presided over by a pastor named John Black. Their appointed evangelist at the time was called David King, who later became the Editor of the British Millennial Harbinger. The meeting room was visited in July 1848 by Dr John Thomas, who spoke there twice on his two-year ’mission’ to Britain.
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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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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 |
 
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.
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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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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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All Souls Church All Souls Church is an evangelical Anglican church situated at the north end of Regent Street. All Souls Place, W1B All Souls Place is a short cul-de-sac in the shadow of All Souls Church, originating in the eighteenth century as a mews off Edward Street. Argyll Street, W1F Argyll Street was named after John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, owner of the land in the 18th century. Avery Row, W1K Avery Row was probably named after Henry Avery, an 18th century bricklayer who built this street over the Tyburn Brook. 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. Berners Mews, W1T Berners Mews is one of the streets of London in the W1T postal area. Berners Street, W1T Berners Street runs from the junction of Oxford Street and Wardour Street to join up with Mortimer Street and the former Middlesex Hospital. Berwick Road, W1F Berwick Road is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Berwick Street, W1F Berwick Street commemorates the Duke of Berwick, an illegitimate son of James II. Boyle Street, W1S Boyle Street was built on a piece of land called the Ten Acres to discharge some Boyle family debts. 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. Brook Street, W1K Brook Street was named after the Tyburn Brook that formerly ran nearby, Brooks Mews, W1K Brooks Mews is one of the streets of London in the W1K postal area. Bruton Place, W1J Bruton Place is one of the streets of London in the W1J postal area. Bywell Place, W1W Bywell Place is one of the streets of London in the W1T postal area. Cavendish Square, W1G Cavendish Square was laid out in 1717–18 at the beginning of the transformation of Harley family lands in Marylebone. Davies Mews, W1K Davies Mews is one of the streets of London in the W1K postal area. Davis Street, W1K Davis Street is one of the streets of London in the W1K postal area. Duck Lane, W1F Duck Lane is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Eastcastle Street, W1T The portion of Eastcastle Street to the east of Wells Street originally belonged to the Berners Estate. Fouberts Place, W1F Fouberts Place is named after a Frenchman who had a riding school here in the reign of Charles II. Gees Court, W1C Gees Court is one of the streets of London in the W1U postal area. 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. Hills Place, W1F Hills Place is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Holles Street, W1C Holles Street runs north from Oxford Street, on the east side of the John Lewis store. 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. Livonia Street, W1F Livonia Street was originally Bentinck Street, family name of owner the Duke of Portland. Market Place, W1W Market Place is one of the streets of London in the W1W postal area. Mill Street, W1S Mill Street is one of the streets of London in the W1S 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. Noel Street, W1F Noel Street is one of the streets of London in the W1F postal area. Palladium House, W1B Palladium House is a grade II listed (in 1981) Art Deco office building located on the corner of Great Marlborough Street and Argyll Street. Regent Place, W1B Regent Place is one of the streets of London in the W1B postal area. Riding House Street, W1W Riding House Street commemorates a riding house and barracks of the First Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. Sedley Place, W1S Sedley Place is one of the streets of London in the W1C postal area. 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. Vere Street, W1G Vere Street is one of the streets of London in the W1G postal area. Wardour Street, W1F Wardour Street is a street that runs north from Leicester Square, through Chinatown, across Shaftesbury Avenue to Oxford Street. Welbeck Street, W1G Welbeck Street has historically been associated with the medical profession. Welbeck Way, W1G Welbeck Way is one of the streets of London in the W1G postal area. Wells Mews, W1W Wells Mews is one of the streets of London in the W1T postal area. Adam And Eve This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Argyll Arms This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Balls Brothers 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. Bonds 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. Coach And Horses The Coach and Horses pub has been on Great Marlborough Street since the mid-18th century. Cock Tavern The Cock Tavern is on Great Portland Street. Duke Of Argyll This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Gigis Mayfair 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. Graphic Bar This bar used to be known as the Midas Touch. Green Man This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Iron Duke This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Jamies Italian This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Kings 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. Market Place Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. Marquis Of Granby 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. Newman Arms The Newman Arms has been a Fitzrovia fixture for centuries. Nordic Wine Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. O’Neill’s 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. Spread Eagle 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 Blue Post 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 Champion 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 Cock & Lion This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The Finery This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so. The George 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 Guinea 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 Arms 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 Phoenix 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 Running Horse 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 Wimpole 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. 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. 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.
Oxford Circus, designed by John Nash in 1811.
Oxford Circus, the busy intersection of Oxford Street and Regent Street, was constructed in the beginning of the 19th century, and was designed by John Nash. Regent Street had been commissioned by Prince Regent, who was later to become King George IV, as a grand scheme to connect the Princes home at Carlton House with his newly acquired property at Regents Park. Nash designed a wide boulevard with a sweeping curve that became a clear dividing line between the less respectable Soho and the fashionable squares and streets of Mayfair. Born from the concept of Nash’s layout of the New Street in 1812, frontage alignments remain, with the rebuilt listed architecture of 1920s buildings.
The surrounding area contains important elements of the Nash heritage. All frontages on the Circus are Grade II Listed. The entire of Regent Street is also listed and sits within a conservation area.
The circus is served by Oxford Circus tube station, which is directly beneath the junction itself.
Oxford Circus station has entrances on all four corners of the intersection. The station is an interchange between the Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines. It is the fourth busiest station on the network and the busiest without connection to the National Rail service. It opened on the Central London Railway on 30 July 1900, with the Baker Street and Waterloo Railway’s platforms opening on 10 March 1906. The two companies had separate surface buildings and lift shafts. The station buildings, which remain today as exits from the station, were constructed on very confined plots on either side of Argyll Street on the south side of Oxford Street, just to the east of the circus itself. The stations were originally built as entirely separate, but connecting passages were swiftly provided at platform level. The surviving Central London Railway building to the east of Argyll Street is the best surviving example of the stations designed by Harry Bell Measures, and the Bakerloo line building to the west is a classic Leslie Green structure. Both station buildings are Grade II listed.
Almost from the outset, overcrowding has been a constant problem at the station and it has seen numerous improvements to its facilities and below-ground arrangements to deal with this difficulty. After much discussion between the then two separate operators, a major reconstruction began in 1912. This saw a new ticket hall, dealing with both lines, built in the basement of the Bakerloo station, the Bakerloo lifts removed, and new deep-level escalators opened down to the Bakerloo line level. Access to the Central line was by way of existing deep-level subways. The new works came into use on 9 May 1914 with the CLR lifts still available for passengers. By 1923 even this rearrangement was unable to cope, so a second rebuilding commenced. This saw a second set of escalators built directly down to the Central line, the CLR station building becoming an exit only. Then, on 2 October 1928, a third escalator leading to the Bakerloo platforms was opened. Unusually, lifts came back into prominence at an Underground station when, in 1942, a set of high-speed lifts came into use, largely used as an exit route from the Central line platforms directly to the Argyll Street exit building.
The Victoria line opened on 7 March 1969. To handle the additional passenger loads, a new ticket hall was constructed directly under the road junction. To excavate the new ticket hall below the roadway, traffic was diverted for five years (August 1963 to Easter 1968) on to a temporary bridge-like structure known as the ’umbrella’ covering the Regent Street/Oxford Street intersection. Services tunnels were constructed to carry water mains and telecom cables past the new ticket hall. Construction of the Victoria line station tunnels with their platforms, the new escalator shafts and the linking passages to the Central line platforms was carried out from access shafts sunk from nearby Cavendish Square, Upper Regent Street and Argyll Street. To this day, traffic passing through the Oxford Circus intersection literally travels over the roof of the ticket office.