Bow Street, London
Bow Street is a short but historically significant street in the City of Westminster, located in the heart of West End London. It connects Russell Street and Wellington Street in the southeast to Long Acre and Endell Street in the northwest. Despite its modest length, Bow Street holds an important place in London’s legal and theatrical history.
Location and Surroundings
Bow Street runs along the eastern side of the Covent Garden area, nestled between major landmarks and lively theatre venues. It lies just steps away from Covent Garden Piazza and is bounded by some of London's best-known streets and alleyways. It is a one-way street heading southeast and is flanked by cultural and judicial buildings, stylish restaurants, and restored Georgian architecture.
Neighbouring streets include Russell Street to the south, connecting to the Covent Garden Piazza, and Long Acre to the north, a bustling shopping route. Branch to the west is Floral Street. To the south lies Wellington Street, which continues from Bow Street and leads toward The Strand and Waterloo Bridge.
History of Bow Street
Bow Street was first developed in the 1630s by the Earl of Bedford, who also commissioned much of what became Covent Garden. The street is believed to have been laid out shortly after the construction of the Covent Garden square itself. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it earned notoriety as the home of the Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, the headquarters of London’s early law enforcement body known as the Bow Street Runners.
The Bow Street Runners, established in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding, are often regarded as London's first professional police force. The court and police station remained in operation until 2006. The building has since been restored and reopened in 2021 as the NoMad London hotel and museum, blending legal heritage with boutique luxury.
Name and Pronunciation
The name "Bow Street" is thought to derive from the fact that the original alignment of the street had a slight curve—“bowed” in shape—when laid out. It is pronounced boh street, with "bow" rhyming with "go". In the International Phonetic Alphabet, it is rendered as /bəʊ striːt/.
Landmarks and Attractions
The most notable site on Bow Street is the former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, now home to the Bow Street Police Museum. The museum explores the history of policing in London, including famous cases tried at the court.
Just south of Bow Street lies the Royal Opera House, one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world. Its imposing facade and frequent operas and ballets are major draws for both tourists and locals.
Within a few minutes’ walk, visitors can also explore Covent Garden Market, the London Transport Museum, and numerous street performances in the adjacent piazza.
Transport Links
Bow Street benefits from excellent transport connectivity. The nearest London Underground stations are:
- Covent Garden Station (Piccadilly line) – less than 2 minutes' walk away.
- Holborn Station (Central and Piccadilly lines) – about a 7-minute walk north.
- Temple Station (District and Circle lines) – approximately 10 minutes' walk south.
Bus stops are found along The Strand, Kingsway, and Aldwych, all within a 5-minute radius, offering direct routes across central and greater London.
Property and Real Estate
As of mid-2025, residential property on or near Bow Street is among the most sought-after in central London due to its heritage charm and prime West End location. Flats in the area typically range from 500 to 1,200 sq ft (46 to 111 sq metres). Prices vary depending on the building and interior finish, with one-bedroom flats starting at around £950,000, while larger two- or three-bedroom flats can exceed £2.5 million.
Rental prices are also high, reflecting demand and location. A one-bedroom flat might rent for approximately £3,500–£4,200 per month, with larger units commanding upwards of £7,000 monthly. These rates are significantly above the London average, placing Bow Street within the top-tier bracket of city living.
Fun Fact
In the classic British board game Monopoly, Bow Street is one of the orange-coloured properties, along with Marlborough Street and Vine Street. While all three streets exist in London, Bow Street is arguably the most historically significant, being the birthplace of organised policing in the city.
Quick Facts
- Location: Covent Garden, City of Westminster, West End, London
- Connects: Russell Street/Wellington Street (southeast) to Long Acre/Endell Street (northwest)
- First Developed: 1630s
- Name Origin: Possibly from the street’s slight curvature ("bowed")
- Pronunciation: /bəʊ striːt/ ("boh street")
- Main Attractions: Bow Street Police Museum, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Market
- Nearest Tube Stations: Covent Garden (Piccadilly), Holborn (Central, Piccadilly), Temple (District, Circle)
- Nearby Bus Routes: Served via Aldwych, Kingsway, and The Strand
- Average Property Price (2025): £950,000–£2.5 million+
- Average Rent: £3,500–£7,000/month
- Fun Fact: Featured as a property in the UK edition of Monopoly
Map of Bow Street, London
Painting of Bow Street, London