Bow Street
A short stroll from Covent Garden leads to Bow Street, famous for its Magistrates Court which dates back to 1740. The 'Bow Street Runners', named in 1785, were an independent criminal catching force who continued until the founding of the Metropolitan Police in 1839. Famous cases heard at the Magistrates Court include Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, the Kray Twins and Jeffrey Archer - the Court finally closed for business on 14 July 2006.
Other architectural highlights in Bow Street are the Design Council building, an impressive modern conversion of an old BT exchange and the Royal Opera House. There are also two surviving pubs worth a visit: The Globe and The Marquess of Anglesey.
A short stroll from Covent Garden leads to Bow Street, famous for its Magistrates Court which dates back to 1740. The 'Bow Street Runners', named in 1785, were an independent criminal catching force who continued until the founding of the Metropolitan Police in 1839. Famous cases heard at the Magistrates Court include Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, the Kray Twins and Jeffrey Archer - the Court finally closed for business on 14 July 2006.
Other architectural highlights in Bow Street are the Design Council building, an impressive modern conversion of an old BT exchange and the Royal Opera House. There are also two surviving pubs worth a visit: The Globe and The Marquess of Anglesey.
Turning the corner from Regent Street towards Soho is Great Marlborough Street where you are greeted by the striking black and white Tudor style beams of Liberty's department store. Across the road is a well-stocked pavement magazine vendor and the site of the Magistrates' Court, now closed. Famous defendants in cases heard here have included Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones and John Lennon. Other musical connections on Great Marlborough Street are Harold Moores Records which specialises in classical and jazz and the offices of Sony Music. The Coach and Horses at the junction with Poland Street is a good stopping point for liquid refreshment and if anyone knows why Great Marlborough Street was reduced to Marlborough Street on the board, please let me know!
You could walk up and down Vine Street in just a few seconds; it barely exists, which for my money makes it easily the strangest location here. Why this nondescript backstreet cul-de-sac tucked away behind Piccadilly made it onto the Monopoly Board is anyone's guess and would be impossible to fathom for anyone visiting now. However, it seems there was once a police station here and the theory is that it was included in the 'Orange set' because of its connection with the law.
