After a stroll on Fleet Street nothing ever looks the same . . . .
Fleet Street, London, June 2011, c.b.w.
Interesting facts about Fleet Street:
- It was named after River Fleet, London’s largest underground river.
- British newspapers originated on Fleet Street and called the street home until the 1980s.
- The length of Fleet Street marks London expansion in the 14th century. The East end of the street marks the spot where the River Fleet ran against the medieval walls of London.
- At the west end is the Temple Bar, which marks the current City of London/City of Westminster boundary, (extended in 1329). In addition, the west part of the street was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666.
- The barber Sweeney Todd is traditionally said to have lived and worked in Fleet Street.
- Aside from journalism, Fleet Street is also known for coffee houses and taverns (some of which have been there for centuries).
- Fleet Street is now more associated with the law and its Inns of Court and barristers’ chambers, because the Royal Courts of Justice and the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey are nearby.
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Sorry there’s no poem this week. My muse and I are still on vacation! I hope a pretty photograph and a little history lesson makes up for the lack of lines.
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c.b.w. 2012
It was my first time in London last January and I purposely went to Fleet Street because I wanted to sing “These are just the worst pies in London” under a Fleet Street sign!
Have you been to the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub where Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson used to hang out?
I passed by, but didn’t go inside.
If anything, I have yet another reason to return!
I am going back to London in a couple of days and I made a post on the things I enjoyed the last time. I was hoping perhaps you can drop by and make some recos of things or places we should check out this time?
Hmmm… A post about underground rivers would be of interest to me. ???
This one was definitely for lovers of London and History geeks.
Love the photo. How I would love to stroll that street. Interesting history too. Hope you are enjoying your vacation.
I’ll be heading home tomorrow.
Its been a nice break from real life.
I love your photos! I’m sure I was there when I was in London, but I don’t have a picture of it. Such great history in a city that has been around for such a long time-and rebuilt more than once!
I know! Fleet street has something from every century – my inner history dork was in heaven.
In Samuel Pepys’ day it was full of brothels.
M
Indeed it was!
Wow, I have got to get there someday!
I hope you do! Fleet Street is a fascinating place for a slow stroll through history.
This is yet another reason for me to go back … I never went there! This shot was really well suited for b/w!
Thanks! It was one of those lucky shots. That’s street is ridiculously busy, but I managed to catch a moment with hardly any traffic. A miracle, indeed!
The original Fleet Street sure looks a lot more interesting than the Fleet Street in my old neighbourhood! lol I love the photo and the old architecture is amazing! Thanks for the history lesson, too.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the pic and the facts on Fleet Street. Prior to my last visit, I had only seen the street in passing. I made it a point to go this time around and learn as much as possible in the process.