London Street Names

The street names of areas can tell us a lot about the history of an area although many names do not mean what you think they might. Many names date back to the Elizabethan times as are shown here but can also be related to the Saxons. Many buildings, unfortunately, were destroyed by the Great Fire of London so much of London's history in buildings no longer exists. However street names live on. Adults Only...check out Zilchoo's Rude London Street Names

Free for everyone - British Politics - Street Names

Abingdon Street

Named after Mary Abingdon who wrote the letter that would lead to the uncovering of the plot to blow up Parliament in 1605.
Free for everyone - Spooky, Weird or Bizarre - Street Names - An American in London

Andre Street

John André (May 2, 1750 – October 2, 1780) was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British. This street was named after him, after he was hung in 1780.
map
Free for everyone - Spooky, Weird or Bizarre - Street Names

Bear Gardens

Gardens where bear-baiting took place, Bears were chained to a post in the middle of the gardens after being starved, then dogs were then set upon them whilst spectators gambled on the outcome. Thankfully this no longer takes place in London.
map
Free for everyone - Spooky, Weird or Bizarre -Street Names

Bleeding Heart Yard

The Bleeding Heart Yard is the scene of a gruesome murder of Lady Elizabeth Hatton although many state that this is an urban myth...the story go's...
The morning after a grand ball, 27 January 1626, she was found on the cobblestone in the yard with her heart still pumping blood from her torn body. The yards' name commemorates her murder. 
map
Free for everyone - Street Names

Bow Street

This street is shaped like a longbow its the only street in London to have the lights outside the police station in white, which was ordered by Queen Victoria. The police were know as the Bow Street Runners, and have been called London's first professional police force. The force was founded in 1749 by the author Henry Fielding and originally numbered just six. Bow Street runners was the public's nickname for these officers, "although the officers never referred to themselves as runners, considering the term to be derogatory". The Bow Street group was disbanded in 1839.
map
Free for everyone - Street Names

Cowcross Street

Named after the poor cows who had to cross here on their way to the slaughterhouses and Smithfield market.
map
Free for everyone - Street Names - Religious Sites

Crutched Friars

Derives its name from being on the site of the ancient monastery of Crouched or Crossed Friars which was founded in 1298. 
map
Free for everyone - Street Names

Friday Street

This street was found in the 12th Century named as Fridei Strete.  Friday Street was named after the Friday Market of Fishmongers who sold fish to the public who ate on Fridays in memory of Good Friday.
map
Free for everyone - Street Names

Gresham Street

Gresham Street, in the City of London, is named after Thomas Gresham and runs from St. Martin's Le Grand near St Paul's Cathedral in the west, past Guildhall, to Lothbury in the east. See more...
Free for everyone - Street Names

Ha-Ha Road

To quote Nelson from the Simpson's "Ha-Ha"! Who wouldn't want to live on this road!
map
Free for everyone - Street Names - Film & Television

Knightrider Street

Not named after David Hasslehoff's 1980's television show,  but named because Knights rode down this street from the Tower of London. See more...
Free for everyone - Street Names

Shoe Lane

The origins of the street name are obscure, but all the historians agree that the name does not refer to the manufacture of shoes. Some have suggested that the street was named after a well on the street called "Showelle" or "Sho well"
map
Free for everyone - Street Names - Royal Tour

Wardrobe Terrace

Edward III moved his clothes from the Wardrobe Tower (at the Tower of London) to this spot in 1361.
map
Family Fun - Fun Stuff- Galleries - Gardens and Parks - Historic - Markets - Monuments & Statues - Museums - Palaces & Houses - Religious Sites - Royal Tour - Spooky, Weird, Bizarre - Walks