Streets of London

London's streets tell the story of a city that has evolved over millennia, from its Roman foundations to its present status as a global metropolis. The city's roads range from narrow medieval alleys to wide, bustling boulevards, each carrying echoes of the past.

Some of the oldest streets in London date back to Roman times. When the Romans founded Londinium in AD 43, they built a network of roads, some of which still shape the modern city. One of the most famous is Watling Street, an ancient road that once stretched from Dover to Wroxeter. In London, parts of it survive as modern-day Edgware Road. Ludgate Hill and Cornhill, both within the City of London, also follow routes established nearly 2,000 years ago. Another historically significant street is The Strand, which was originally a riverside road running alongside the Thames. In medieval times, it connected the City of London to Westminster, and it later became a prestigious address, lined with the grand mansions of aristocrats.

London is known for its labyrinth of narrow lanes, particularly in the old parts of the city. Fleet Street, famous for its connection to the newspaper industry, was once the heart of London's printing trade. Carter Lane, near St. Paul's Cathedral, follows a medieval street plan and still has a charming, old-world feel. Knightrider Street, with its origins in the Middle Ages, was once used by knights traveling to tournaments.

Among the most intriguing alleys is Cecil Court, a Victorian-era passageway off Charing Cross Road. It's lined with bookshops and is often thought to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Another is Goodwin's Court, a narrow lane with bow-fronted windows dating back to the 17th century.

Famous Streets Today

Some of London's most iconic streets are associated with culture, shopping, and history. Oxford Street is Europe's busiest shopping street, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Regent Street, with its elegant curved architecture, has been a shopping hub since the 19th century. Baker Street is forever linked to Sherlock Holmes, while Abbey Road is legendary for its connection to The Beatles.

One of London's most unusual roads is Savile Row, famous for its bespoke tailoring. For over 200 years, it has been home to some of the world's best tailors, crafting suits for royalty, celebrities, and politicians.

Cobblestones and Paved Roads

While many London streets are now covered in asphalt, some retain their original cobblestones, particularly in areas like Covent Garden and Southwark. Walking down these streets, one can easily imagine London as it was centuries ago, with horse-drawn carriages clattering over the uneven stones.

Streets with a Story

Each street in London has its own story to tell, and some have become synonymous with specific trades, events, or cultural moments. Here are just a few notable examples:

Fleet Street: Once the undisputed heart of Britain's newspaper industry, Fleet Street is almost legendary in the world of journalism. From the early 18th century until the 1980s, it was the base for most major national newspapers. Though the press has since moved on, the name "Fleet Street" still evokes the industry in popular imagination.
Savile Row: This unassuming Mayfair street is known globally for its bespoke tailoring. Since the early 19th century, master tailors have catered to aristocrats, celebrities, and discerning dressers. Even today, the craftsmanship of Savile Row remains a gold standard in men's fashion.
Hatton Garden: London's historic jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden has been associated with diamond dealing and fine jewellery since the 19th century. Beneath the street lies a network of vaults and workshops, and the area remains a major centre for the jewellery trade.
Brick Lane: Once home to Huguenot weavers, then a hub for the Jewish community, Brick Lane is now famous for its Bangladeshi restaurants, street art, and vintage fashion. It's a street that embodies London's constant evolution through waves of immigration and cultural reinvention.
Portobello Road: Known for its vibrant street market, Portobello Road in Notting Hill draws crowds every weekend in search of antiques, clothes, and produce. The street has grown organically over the centuries and remains a colourful and eclectic destination.

Oldest Surviving Streets

Some streets in London date back to Roman or medieval times and still follow their original alignments, even if their surfaces and surroundings have changed dramatically:

Strand: Once a riverside path linking the City of London with Westminster, the Strand has been an important route since at least the 12th century. Today, it remains a major thoroughfare, lined with historic buildings, theatres, and embassies.
Bishopsgate: Named after one of the gates in the old London Wall, Bishopsgate was an ancient route into the City. It forms part of the historic Roman road that extended northward from Londinium.
Cheapside: The word "cheap" comes from the Old English word ceap, meaning market, and Cheapside was once London's main marketplace. In medieval times, it bustled with vendors selling everything from cloth to spices - and some trade names still echo in nearby street names like Milk Street and Bread Street.
Lombard Street: Associated with banking since the 13th century, this street was named after Lombard merchants from Italy who settled there. It continues to be part of the City's financial heart.

Streets of the Future

As London continues to grow and change, its streets remain a focal point for urban evolution. Environmental concerns, technology, and community-led planning are reshaping how we interact with our roads and pathways. Initiatives like car-free days, green corridors, and smart traffic systems are part of this ongoing story.

At the same time, efforts to preserve the character and heritage of historic streets remain strong. Many conservation areas protect the look and feel of traditional streetscapes, even as modern life flows through them. From cobbled alleys to glass-fronted walkways, London's streets are a reflection of the city's ability to balance the old and the new.

Discover London, One Street at a Time

The Streets in London section of this website offers a growing collection of individual street profiles. Each entry provides historical context, descriptions of key buildings and landmarks, and insights into how that street fits into the wider story of the capital. Whether you're planning a walk through Soho, tracing literary haunts in Bloomsbury, or simply curious about the origins of a particular name, this guide aims to inform and inspire.

As this section develops, more streets will be added regularly - each explored in detail, with photographs, maps, and historical nuggets to enhance your understanding of London's urban fabric.

So begin your journey here: scroll down for an alphabetical list of the streets currently featured, and check back often as the list grows.

List of the streets of London

Map of the Streets in London

Painting of the streets of London (View image in full size)

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This page was created/modified on 30 April 2025.

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