Alan Stapleton’s Alleys, Byways & Courts
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In the archive at the Bishopsgate Institute, I had the good fortune to come across a copy of Alan Stapleton’s London’s Alleys, Byways & Courts, 1923. A title guaranteed to send anyone as susceptible as myself meandering through the capital’s forgotten thoroughfares, yet the great discovery is how many of these have survived in recognisable form today. Clearly a kindred spirit, Stapleton prefaces his work with the following quote from Dr Johnson (who lived in a square at the end of an alley) – ‘If you wish to have a notion of the magnitude of this great city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares, but survey its innumerable little lanes and courts.’
St John’s Passage, EC1
Passing Alley, EC1
St John’s Gate from Jerusalem Passage, EC1
Stewart’s Place, Clerkenwell Green, EC1
Clerkenwell Close, EC1
Savoy Steps, Strand, WC2
Red Lion Passage, Red Lion Sq, WC1
Corner of Kingley St & Foubert’s Place, W1
Market St, Shepherd Market, W1
Crown Court, Pall Mall, SW1
Rupert Court, W1
Meard’s St, W1
Conduit Court, Long Acre, WC2
Devereaux Court, Strand, WC2
Greystoke Place, Chancery Lane, EC4
Huggin Lane, Cannon St, EC4
Mitre Court, EC1
Faulkner’s Alley, Cow Cross St, EC1
Last of Snatcher’s Island, Drury Lane, WC2
Brick Lane looking north
Brick Lane looking south
‘Hatton in 1708 called Brick Lane the longest lane in London, being nearly three quarters of a mile long. But Park Lane by Hyde Park was then six furlongs thirteen poles in length, so it had the advantage of Brick Lane, the length of which was five furlongs four poles. Today, Brick Lane by taking in its length its old continuations, Tyssen St and Turk’s St now beats it by thirteen poles. Tyssen St measuring one furlong fourteen poles and Turk’s St eight poles, thus bringing the length of the current Brick Lane to six furlongs twenty-six poles. Yet White HorseLane was undoubtedly the longest in London when it existed’ – Alan Stapelton 1923
Images courtesy Bishopsgate Institute
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Love & Peace
ACHIM
I used to love cutting through old passageways in the City when I worked there. We have many interesting medieval ones dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries in Basel.
In my constant quest to research my family history, I discovered many lived in little courts and alleys that have long disappeared. So, instead I visit intact areas and use my vivid imagination and old maps to mentally reconstruct the area. These are fascinating drawings that make me want to go exploring again, which I shall do as soon as I finish this pile of marking and the academic year finally draws to a close.
I love courtyards and alleys as well, especially when they are unexpected. I came across one in St James Street, near Piccadilly recently which was a lovely surprise in an area with so many large imposing buildings and palaces.
Also I worked on a job in a typical City street last week which had some classical buildings with lovely architectural details, some horrendously ugly modern blocks, and with a view through to a Wren church at the end. And the get-in to our event was through an alley, past by a tiny courtyard with a huge tree growing in it and then round the corner to the actual rear of the building. The rest of the team hated the convoluted route to our job but I loved it…
I’m looking forward to the GA’s tour of the City when I hope to discover more of the same!