Streets in London

Streets in 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.

Conclusion

The streets of London are more than just pathways—they are living history books, preserving stories of Roman soldiers, medieval merchants, and Victorian gentlemen. Whether grand or humble, ancient or modern, each street has a tale to tell, making London one of the world's most fascinating cities to explore.

Map of the Roads in London

List of the streets of London

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.

To get to know me better, do follow me on Facebook!