London’s Alleys: George Court WC2
A short alley near Charing Cross that is today probably more famous for its sole commercial occupant, the Retro Pub.
A short alley near Charing Cross that is today probably more famous for its sole commercial occupant, the Retro Pub.
This is an alley way leading to a well known local pub, and was named after a rich philanthropist who left land around here to charity.
This short narrow alley off Fleet Street has seen some of the most famous names in history walk down it’s narrow path, for there’s a pub door down here that’s legendary.
This is a short alleyway that runs behind St-Bartholomew-the-Great Church, and in front of a very modern Livery Hall.
Named after an inn and a dark period of history, this rather posh passage and charming steps can be found just around the corner from Parliament.
This is a fairly wide modern looking alley just off Fleet Street that follows a path which is traceable back to Tudor times.
This is an unmarked alley that runs under the DLR and railway tracks into Fenchurch Street and somehow survives as a narrow smelly dank alley way. So obviously, it’s marvelous.
This is a sunken alley that sits on a site that was extensively redeveloped in the late 1930s and 1960s.
A long narrow brick lined path, Patten Alley marks one of the original paths through the open fields of 17th century Richmond.
This is both a brand new road, and an ancient alley that can be traced back at least 800 years, and a ceremony that has taken place every year since then.
This short alley near Tower Bridge is a delightful passage to the Thames, but was very nearly sealed off.
Woburn Walk is a charming pedestrian street that is surprisingly found just opposite Euston Station.
Colonnade (sometimes Mews) is a narrow length of pleasing road that’s rather well hidden despite being right next to a central London tube station.
This is a fairly difficult to trace alley that seems to be ancient heritage, but is probably quite modern.
This alley with a mix of modern and old buildings is a legacy of an impressive house and impressive bombing raids during WW2.
This seemingly fairly modern looking alley is actually one of the oldest in London, and potentially dates from pre-Saxon London.
This is London’s shortest alley, and also one that you can’t actually walk down any more as modern gates replicate a medieval barrier.
Swedeland Court is a very narrow passage that is very easy to miss, even as it sits right next to a landmark pub for the area opposite Liverpool Street station.
This is an old path that appeared with the railways but only gained the name of a local celebrity fairly recently.
A narrow open passageway that creates a convenient cross passage in the middle of two otherwise long unremitting roads.
An exceptionally atmospheric alley that burrows its way through history and deep under modern London.
This little courtyard set back from the street has an obscure history, but is thought to have a late medieval origin.
Officially, this charming little alley has no name, but I am naming it Fernsbury Street Alley, as it was almost an extension of Fernsbury Street itself.
Next to St Alfege’s church in Greenwich is a passage, not surprisingly named after the church, but that’s a relatively recent name for a much older path.