How London's West End Streets Got Their Names

Charing Cross, Strand, Soho... the origin stories of our famous places.

Aug 16, 2023

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A Strand WC2 street sign, with the saturation whacked up to rather unpleasant levels — Strand… not The Strand. (And incidentally, you won’t find a number 13.) Image: Matt Brown.

“Let’s all go down the Strand…” went the famous musical hall song. But what is a Strand? And why do they call it “the Strand” when all the street signs have it as just “Strand”? You wouldn’t sing “…

How London's West End Streets Got Their Names

Charing Cross, Strand, Soho... the origin stories of our famous places.

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