London’s Alleys and Passages - Archive Articles

London’s Alleys: Plough Court, EC3

This is today a wide-open alley covered at both ends leading off the banking heart of Lombard Street.

London’s Alleys: Ball Court, EC3

This is an exceptionally busy alley, thanks in part to being part of a cluster of narrow passages, but also because one of its occupants is the legendary Simpsons Tavern.

London’s Alleys: Lime Street Passage, EC3

This alley looks as if it’s part of the next door Leadenhall Market, with the same style buildings, but no roof over head.

London’s Alleys: Rupert Court, W1

This is a narrow alley in Soho with a famous pub at one end, and -- if you know the significance -- a famous pizza outlet at the other.

London’s Alleys: Poppin’s Court, EC4

This is an ancient lane that used to be much longer but was cut in half thanks to the rebuilding of Farringdon Street next door.

London’s Alleys: Lazenby Court, WC2

This is the alley that's famous for squeezing in a narrow gap underneath an old pub in Covent Garden, and bare-knuckle fights.

London’s Alleys: Conduit Court, WC2

This is the most popular of all the alleys to be found in Covent Garden, thanks to a recent addition - an "infinity chamber" of mirrors that lines half the passage.

London’s Alleys: Braidwood Passage, EC1

This is a narrow dark modern-looking alley that provides the only gap in a wall that gives access to the warren of streets behind a long row of unremitting office blocks.

London’s Alleys: East Passage, EC1

This alley is a result of the dissolution of the Monasteries, as it sits within the lands owned by St Bartholomew's Priory.

London’s Alleys: Richardson’s Mews, W1

Just around the corner from posh Fitzroy Square can be found this almost as posh quiet mews. A small gap in the rows of shops and houses with the BT Tower dominating the background.

London’s Alleys: Royal Exchange Avenue, EC2

Although today it's largely a wide open alley, it was once a classic of the area, narrow and winding between rows of narrow Victorian buildings.

London’s Alleys: Andrews Crosse, WC2

This rather unimpressive dead end alley is a legacy of ancient times, from when Andrewes Crosse Inn stood on the site, and this alley is likely to have been the courtyard that stood within the inn's grounds.

London’s Alleys: Half Moon Court, EC1

When the area in this part of London was occupied by St Bartholomew's priory, there was a large garden on the south of their estate, and this alley pretty much follows the line of that long lost garden boundary.

London’s Alleys: Sun Alley, TW9

This is a short alley in Richmond town centre with on its corners, two restaurants, a pub and a community hall.

London’s Alleys: White Lion Court, EC3

This is another of those ancient alleys that seems to have existed since forever, and somehow is still here.

London’s Alleys: Craven Passage, WC2

In an area where most of the old roads were swallowed up by the railway, Craven Passage is a rare survivor of a path that dates back to when the area first started to be developed.

London’s Alleys: St Alban’s Court, EC2

This is a modern looking alley that follows an ancient path, and is named after the ruined church in the middle of the road.

London’s Alleys: Gower Mews, WC1

This short cul-de-sac leads off from Gower Street in central London, an area developed with upper middle-class homes, but now dominated by educational establishments.

London’s Alleys: Cobb’s Court, EC4

This narrow right angled alley runs behind blocks of offices and shops, today offering a convenient place for fire exits and windows.

London’s Alleys: Johnson’s Court, EC4

Long before Dr Johnson arrived, there was a Johnson's Court - a long alley that sliced between long deep buildings fronting onto Fleet Street.

London’s Alleys: Cowper’s Court, EC3

This is one of those alleys that's been around for centuries, yet managed to leave hardly a trace of its existence in history.

London’s Alleys: Cliffords Inn Passage, EC4

This is one of the oldest surviving alleys in London, emerging around Tudor times when the area along Chancery Lane was first starting to be developed from fields.

London’s Alleys: Barnard’s Inn, EC1

Through a small gap in the line of shops and offices of Holborn can be found a medieval enclave of learning.

London’s Alleys: Turk’s Head Yard, EC1

This rather shabby looking car park of an alley is a lingering remnant of a time when the area was filled with old warehouses and factories.