From sheet music to rock icons: New book explores Denmark Street’s musical evolution

A small, seemingly ordinary street in central London has an outsized history, and now a book tells how Denmark Street became London's home of music.

London’s Alleys: Denmark Place, WC2

This is an alley that slips behind the back of the modern Outernet building and was the scene of a disaster in 1980 that killed 37 people.

London’s Alleys: James Court, W1

This is a fairly new open courtyard and alleyway that replaced a small sealed off cul-de-sac as part of a large redevelopment of the former Foyles bookstore.

The transformation of Denmark Street and the Outernet

A developer ripping out the heart of a much loved part of London is a common enough story, but with the music hub of Denmark Street, were the critics right, or is something more interesting going on?

London’s Alleys: Flitcroft Street, WC2

This may be called a street, but it's undeniably alley-like in appearance, snaking around the back of shops at the junction of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street.

London’s Pocket Parks: Alfred Place Gardens, WC1

This is a new linear pocket park in central London that was until a few months ago an unremarkable road used mainly for parking and deliveries.

London’s Alleys: Queen’s Yard, W1

At the top of Tottenham Court Road this most appropriately named alley was until recently home to the government's private art collection.

Have you met Heal’s bronze cat?

Sitting elegantly on a spiral staircase is a shop mascot, a famous cat that once turned the head of Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmatians.

London’s Alleys – Fitzroy Court

If you were to head up Tottenham Court Road towards Warren Street tube station, you might notice a small alley way.

Last day of the old TCR tube station entrance

This evening the shutters will be pulled across the old entrance at Tottenham Court Road tube station for the last time, as they prepare to switch the station around and start using a shiny new entrance next week.

200 years ago — the London Beer Flood

200 years ago a tsunami wave roared down several streets in central London laying waste to the area and drowning a number of people. The tsunami wave was made of beer.

The 200th Anniversary of the London Underground

January 2063, and the God Emperor of the Known Londonverse descends into Tottenham Court Road tube station to unlock a box.

A brutal beauty next to Tottenham Court Road

Just around the corner from Tottenham Court Road sits one of London's great unmarked pieces of architecture. A building, like so many of its era looks a bit tired and shabby now, but will reward the viewer who stands back to admire the whole.

New Crossrail photos released — and a small error?

Crossrail have released a few photos of the construction work being carried out at Tottenham Court Road at what is primarily a London Underground upgrade site, with a box on the corner for passengers to descend to the Crossrail tunnels below.

Juggernaut threat to tiny Hanway Street?

As noticed by several people this week – after planning permission was granted – an incredibly useful side-street by Tottenham Court Road is due to get revamped. Not so that pedestrians wisely using it to bypass the congestion at the…

A gallery of Political Cartoons

I wandered along to the Political Cartoon Gallery – which is just off Tottenham Court Road – on Saturday for a look at an exhibition which was due to finish that day. I was actually planning to go there the…

Of ancient paths, umbrellas and Chinese restaurants

The corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road is a place of considerable crush and bustle thanks to the very narrow pavement, tube entrance and market stalls trying to sell watches and tourist tatt. For that reason, when needing…