Aldgate
(Map: C-12) - Main entrance from the East to the Medieval walled city.
The Adelphi (Map: D-6) - Elegant housing complex along the Thames built by the
Adam brothers in the 1760s and torn down in the 1930s. Dickens had lodgings here
as a young man. David Copperfield lodges in Mrs Crupp's house here (David
Copperfield). Dickens visited the Adelphi Theatre here
Bank of England (Map: C-11) - Established in 1694, and known as the Old Lady of
Threadneedle Street, the Bank was privately owned until 1946 when it was
nationalized and came under government control. It is referred to in many of
Dickens' works.
Bedlam (Map: G-7) - Officially Bethlehem Hospital, a hospital for the insane. On
contemplating the lunacy of his clerk, Bob Crachit, taking on a wife and family
on 15 shillings a week, Scrooge laments "I'll retire to Bedlam" (A
Christmas Carol).
Billingsgate (Map: D-11) - London's fish market for centuries.
Bishopsgate (Map: C-11) - Northern gate in the walled medieval city. One of the
Gordon rioters was hanged at Bishopsgate (Barnaby Rudge). Brogley, 'sworn broker
and appraiser', kept a second-hand furniture shop at Bishopsgate (Dombey and Son).
Blackfriars Bridge (Map: D-8) - Bridge over the Thames built in the late 1700's,
demolished in 1863 and rebuilt in 1899. The Black Friars were Dominican monks
who set up a priory in the area in 1221. The name distinguished them from the
adjacent priory of Carmelite monks, the White Friars, at Bridewell. Hugh broke
open the tollhouses there during the Gordon Riots (Barnaby Rudge). Jo stops to
rest and eat at Blackfriars bridge and gazes upon the cross atop St Paul's (Bleak
House). Dickens frequently crossed this bridge while working at Warren's Boot
Blacking factory to visit his family at the Marshalsea prison in Southwark.
Bloomsbury (Map: B-6) - Residential area of Holborn. Dickens lived at Tavistock
House here from 1851-1860.
Bond Street (Map: D-3) - Area of Fashionable shops in Northwest London. It is
referred to in Dickens' works as a well to do area of London. Mrs. Billickin,
describing the residence which Mr. Grewgious is considering renting for Rosa,
says "It is not Bond Street nor yet St. James's Palace; but it is not
pretended that it is". (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)
The Borough (Map: F-10) - Area south of London bridge in Southwark. It was in
the Borough that Pickwick meets Sam Weller and Pickwick and Wardle catch up with
Jingle and Rachael after their mad dash to be married (Pickwick Papers).
British Museum (Map: B-5) - The collection was originally housed at Montagu
House, Bloomsbury and opened in 1759 although public access was limited. David
and Steerforth visit the Museum there. (David Copperfield) The current
neo-classical building was completed in 1852.
Buckingham Palace (Map: F-3) - Built by John Sheffield, 1st duke of Buckingham,
in 1703. Purchased for the royal family in 1761 by George III. It became the
official London residence of the monarchy in 1837 when Queen Victoria moved
there.
Camden Town (Map: A-3) - Area of northwest London. Dickens' family lived at 16
Bayham Street here. The Cratchets, the Micawbers (David Copperfield), and Polly
Toodles family (Dombey and Son) also lived in Camden Town.
Cannon Street (Map: D-10) - Street leading from St. Paul's-churchyard to the end
of King William-street. Its construction relieved Cheapside of the greater part
of the heavy traffic.
Chancery Lane (Map: C-7) - In Dickens time Chancery cases were heard at
Lincoln's Inn Hall off Chancery lane. Jarndyce and Jarndyce was heard here (Bleak
House).
Charing Cross (Map: E-5) - District of London named for the last of the stone
crosses erected by Edward I in 1291 to mark the stops of Queen Eleanor's funeral
procession from Nottinghamshire to Westminster Abbey. The present monument was
erected in 1865. The Pickwickians begin their travels at the Golden Cross Hotel
here (The Pickwick Papers). David Copperfield stayed at the same hotel referring
to it as "a mouldy sort of establishment in a close neighborhood" (David
Copperfield).
Cheapside (Map: C-9) - Medieval London's shopping district, ceap was Old English
for market. Mould, the undertaker, lives here (Martin Chuzzlewit). Pickwick is
taken to meet Tony Weller at an inn in Cheapside (Pickwick Papers).
Chelsea (Map: I-3) - Residential area of west London where Dickens married
Catherine Hogarth in 1836. Richard Carstone studies law at Mr. Bayham Badgers in
Chelsea (Bleak House).
The City (Map: D-11) - Area of London comprising the walled Medieval city, most
of which was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. In Dickens' time the City was
evolving from a residential area to a banking and finance center as people moved
to the Western and Northern suburbs and commuted to the City as mass
transportation was introduced. Scrooge's
carol.htmlcarol.htmlcarol.htmlcarol.html(A Christmas Carol) and Paul Dombey's (Dombey
and Son) businesses were located in the City.
Clerkenwell (Map: B-8) - Area of northern London in Holborn. Gabriel Varden's
locksmith shop, the Golden Key, is in Clerkenwell (Barnaby Rudge). Jarvis Lorry,
clerk at Tellson's bank, lives in Clerkenwell (A Tale of Two Cities). Fagin's
lair is located in the Clerkenwell area (Oliver Twist). Present day photos of
scenes in the Clerkenwell area.
Cornhill (Map: D-10) - Well-known thouroughfare in The City named for a corn
market once held there. Dodson and Fogg have offices there (Pickwick Papers).
Bob Cratchit passes Cornhill on his way home to Camden Town and slides down the
ice carol.htmlcarol.htmlcarol.htmlcarol.html(A Christmas Carol).
Covent Garden (Map: D-6) - District of London named for a fruit, vegetable and
flower market designed by Inigo Jones in 1632. The Covent Garden Theatre is
located here. David Copperfield bought flowers for Dora in the market and
attends Julius Caesar at the theatre (David Copperfield). Pip spends the night
at Hummums Hotel in Covent Garden when given a note from Wemmick not to go home
(Great Expectations). Arthur Clennam has lodgings here (Little Dorrit). Job
Trotter spends the night in a vegetable basket in Covent Garden (Pickwick Papers).
Crystal Palace (Map: F-1) - The exhibition hall built in Hyde Park by Joseph
Paxton for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The exhibition was the idea of Prince
Albert, who conceived it to celebrate the Industrial Revolution. The Crystal
Palace was moved to Sydenham, in south London, in 1854 and accidentally burned
down in 1936.
Devonshire Terrace (Map: B-2) - Dickens home from 1839 to 1851 located opposite
the York Gate entrance to Regent's Park. Five of Dickens' children were born
here. The house was destroyed in 1960.
Doughty Street (Map: B-6) - Dickens' home from 1837 to 1839. Dickens' early fame
allowed him to take a three year lease here. His beloved sister-in-law, Mary,
died here. The home was purchased by The Dickens Fellowship and was opened to
the public as the Dickens House Museum in 1925.
Drury Lane (Map: C-6) - London street famous for the Drury Lane Theatre where
Miss Petowker of the Crummles Company performed (Nicholas Nickleby). David
Copperfield orders beef in a restaurant here (David Copperfield), and Dick
Swiveler has lodgings over a tobacconist's shop here (Curiosity Shop). In the
sketch Gin-Shops (Sketches by Boz) Dickens reports that the gin-shops in and
near Drury-Lane, Holborn, St. Giles's, Covent-garden, and Clare-market, are the
handsomest in London. There is more of filth and squalid misery near those great
thorough-fares than in any part of this mighty city. In the sketch The
Pawnbroker's Shop (Sketches by Boz), Dickens describes a pawnbroker's shop near
Drury Lane.
Fleet Prison (Map: C-8) - London debtors prison in use until 1842. Pickwick was
imprisoned here until such time as damages and costs to Mrs. Bardell were paid
which Pickwick claimed would be "a good, long time" (Pickwick Papers).
Fleet Street (Map: C-8) - Situated between The City and Whitehall, Fleet Street
was where London's Press operated. Working as a young reporter Dickens was well
acquainted with this area. David Copperfield, like Dickens, spent a lot of time
in this street and takes Peggotty to a Waxwork on Fleet Street (David
Copperfield).
Furnival's Inn - One of the Inns of Court, its use as a legal community was
discontinued in 1818 and the buildings were rented out as chambers. Dickens
lived here from 1834-1837, wrote most of Pickwick here, and married Catherine
while living here. Rosa Bud stays in rooms in the Inn (Edward Drood).
Gray's Inn (Map: B-7) - One of the four Inns of Court, Dickens was a solicitor's
clerk here in 1828. Pickwick's solicitor, Mr. Perker, has chambers at Gray's Inn
(Pickwick Papers). Traddles has chambers at Gray's Inn (David Copperfield). Pip
and Herbert have dilapidated chambers at Barnard's Inn in this same area (Great
Expectations).
Green Park (Map: F-2) - One of the royal parks, officially property of the
Royal Family. Originally part of the grounds of St. James Palace.
Grosvenor Square (Map: D-2) - The heart of the Grosvenor family's Mayfair Estate,
this area was the center of London high society for over two centuries. Lord
Rockingham's house in Grosvenor Square is blockaded against the Gordon rioters (Barnaby
Rudge). Mr. Tite Barnacle lived in Grosvenor Square 'or very near it' (Little
Dorrit).
Guildhall (Map: C-10) - Site of London's city government. The trial of Pickwick
and Bardell took place here (Pickwick Papers)
Holborn (Map: B-7) - Area of London named for a thoroughfare running from
Tottenham Ct. Road to Newgate. Langdale's wine and spirits warehouse on Holborn
Hill is burned by the rioters and the Newgate prisoners escape up Holborn when
the prison is taken (Barnaby Rudge). Mrs. Gamp lived at Kingsgate Street, High
Holborn (Martin Chuzzlewit). Traddles lived on Castle Street, Holborn (David
Copperfield). Fagin's den of thieves is located at Saffron Hill, a notorious
criminal district, in Holborn (Oliver Twist).
Houses of Parliament (Map: F-6) - The old Houses of Parliament burned down in
1834 and were housed in temporary structures until the present Houses were
completed in 1860. Dickens worked as a parliamentary reporter 1831-36
Hyde Park (Map: E-1) - The largest of the London parks, Hyde Park was once a
royal deer park enclosed by Henry VIII. It was opened to the public in the early
17th century. Its famous bridle path, Rotten Row, and manmade lake, The
Serpentine, are among its most popular attractions. The Great Exhibition was
held here in 1851
Jacob's Island (Map: F-13) - Island in the Thames where Toby Crackit's house is
located. Bill Sikes is chased here after killing Nancy and accidently hangs
himself (Oliver Twist).
The Kings Bench Prison (Map: F-9) - Debtor's prison in Southwark. Mr. Micawber
was imprisoned for debt here (David Copperfield). Madiline Bray and her father
lived in the Rules of the King's Bench where better off prisoners were kept
nickleby.html(Nicholas Nickleby).
Lambeth (Map: G-7) - Slum district of river warehouses across the river from
Westminster. The Lawyer Mr. Guppy intends to set himself up professionally in
Walcot Square, Lambeth (Bleak House). Peg Sliderskew hides in Lambeth after
stealing Gride's papers nickleby.html(Nicholas Nickleby).
Lambeth Palace (Map: H-6) - The official residence of the archbishop of
Canterbury. The Gordon rioters attack Lambeth Palace (Barnaby Rudge).
Leadenhall Street (Map: C-12) - Street and market in the City. Tim Linkinwater
tells Nicholas, when comparing London to the countryside, that he can buy
new-laid eggs in Leadenhall Market any morning before breakfast nickleby.html(Nicholas
Nickleby). The offices of Dombey and Son are thought to be in Leadenhall Street
(Dombey and Son).
Leicester Square (Map: D-5) - Square laid out in the late 17th century. In
Dickens' time it contained an equestrian Statue of George I which was removed in
the late 19th century after being vandalized. Mr. George's shooting gallery was
near here (Bleak House).
Lincolns Inn Fields (Map: C-7) - Designed by William Newton in the early 1600's
as a compromise between the lawyers of Lincoln's Inn and developers wanting to
build in the area. Newton was allowed to build around the perimeter of the
Fields as long as the central part remained forever open. Jarndyce and Jarndyce
begins at the Court of Chancery at Lincoln's Inn (Bleak House). Betsy Trotwood
lived in the Fields (David Copperfield).
London Bridge (Map: E-11) - Until 1750 London Bridge was the only bridge over
the Thames in London. A bridge at this site dates from Roman times. The first
stone London Bridge was built in 1176. This bridge eventually had houses, shops,
and a church built upon it until they were removed in 1763. In 1831 it was
replaced by a granite bridge designed by John Rennie. The Rennie London Bridge
was replaced in 1972 and Rennie's bridge was dismantled and rebuilt in Lake
Havasu, Arizona. One of the arches of the Rennie London Bridge still supports
the southern end of the current London Bridge (photos).
Trying to save Oliver, Nancy meets Rose and Mr. Brownlow on the steps of London
Bridge. She is observed by Noah Claypole which leads to her murder (Oliver Twist).
David Copperfield, like Dickens, liked to sit on London Bridge and watch the
people go by (David Copperfield). Gabriel Varden, the locksmith, crosses London
Bridge to visit Mrs. Rudge in Southwark (Barnaby Rudge).
Ludgate (Map: C-8) - Gate in the Medieval City's wall where Fleet Street joins
the City. London's first daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, began publication
near Ludgate in 1702 thus Fleet Street became the home of London's Press.
Mansion House (Map: D-10) - Official residence of London's Lord Mayor.
Built in the mid 18th century by George Dance the Elder. Haredale appeals
unsuccessfully to the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House to imprison Rudge (Barnaby
Rudge).
The Marshalsea (Map: F-10) - Debtor's prison in Southwark where Dickens'
father was imprisoned in 1824. The prison dates from medieval times and was
closed in 1849. Amy Dorrit's father, William, was also imprisoned at the
Marshalsea (Little Dorrit).
The Monument (Map: D-11) - 200 foot high column, designed by Christopher Wren,
marking the site of the origin of the devastating fire that destroyed much of
London in September, 1666. John Willet tells his son Joe that climbing to the
top of the Monument is the preferred diversion when visiting London (Barnaby
Rudge). David Copperfield passes time by stopping on old London Bridge and
gazing at the flame atop the Monument (David Copperfield). Todger's
boarding-house is located near the Monument (Martin Chuzzlewit).
Newgate Prison (Map: C-9) - Notorious London prison originally built at the new
gate in the Medieval city's wall. It was the site of public executions in the
19th century. The prison was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt. It
was destroyed again during the Gordon Riots of 1780 and rebuilt. It was finally
torn down in 1902 and the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, was built
on the site. Oliver Twist visits Fagin in Newgate and witnesses his hanging (Oliver
Twist). Hugh, Dennis, and Barnaby are imprisoned at Newgate in cells refitted
after the prison was burned in the riots (Barnaby Rudge). Wemmick and Pip visit
the prison while Pip is awaiting the arrival in London of Estella (Great
Expectations). Dickens described Newgate in A visit to Newgate (Sketches by Boz).
In the sketch Criminal Courts (Sketches by Boz), Dickens describes Newgate: How
dreadful its rough heavy walls, and low massive doors, appeared to us - the
latter looking as if they were made for the express purpose of letting people in,
and never letting them out again.
The Obelisk (Map: G-8) - London landmark which stood in the center of St.
George's Circus in Southwark. David has his box and money stolen by a young man
with a donkey-cart near the Obelisk as he is running away from Murdstone and
Grinby's to his aunt's home in Dover (David Copperfield).
Oxford Street (Map: C-2) - A residential street in Dickens' time, John Jarndyce,
Esther, Richard, and Ada have "cheerful lodging over an upholsterer's shop"
near Oxford Street (Bleak House). In New York Dickens notes that "The
streets and shops are lighted now; and as the eye travels down the long
thoroughfare, dotted with bright jets of gas, it is reminded of Oxford Street or
Piccadilly" (American Notes).
Pall Mall (Map: E-4) - Broad, elegant street that derives its name from the
Italian ball games played by Charles II.
Paternoster Row (Map: D-9) - Long the center of London's publishing and
bookselling businesses.
Piccadilly (Map: E-3) - London street in the West End. Named for a 17th century
tailor who had a shop there and made high ruff collars called piccadillies. Mr.
Micawber fancys his family living in the upper part of a house, over some
respectable business in Piccadilly (David Copperfield).
Regent's Park (Map: A-1) - London suburb laid out by John Nash in 1811 during
the Regency period. George III, incapacitated by mental illness in 1810, was
replaced by his son (called the prince regent), later George IV. The period
between 1810 and 1820, when George III died, became known as the Regency period.
Dickens lived at 3 Hanover Terrace and at 1 Devonshire Terrace (1839-1851) in
Regent's Park.
Regent Street (Map: D-3)- Street built between 1813 and 1819, during the Regency
period. Lord Frederick Verisopht lives in "a handsome suite of private
apartments in Regent Street" nickleby.html(Nicholas Nickleby).
Royal Exchange (Map: C-11) - Called the 'Change, it was the meeting and
bartering place for the merchants in the City. Ebenezer Scrooge
carol.htmlcarol.htmlcarol.html(A Christmas Carol) and Paul Dombey (Dombey and
Son) would have frequented the Royal Exchange.
St. Bartholomew's Hospital (Map: C-9) - Founded in 1123, "Bart's" is
London's oldest hospital. Bob Hopkins is a doctor here (Pickwick Papers). Mrs.
Gamp's friend, Betsy Prig, is a nurse at St. Bartholomew's (Martin Chuzzlewit).
John Baptist Cavalletto is taken there after being hit by the mail coach (Little
Dorrit). The lawyer Jaggers has offices at Little Britain, just east of St.
Bart's (Great Expectations).
St. James Palace (Map: F-4) - Built during the reign of Henry VIII and designed
by Hans Holbien the Younger. Became the official residence of the monarchy after
a fire destroyed Whitehall palace in 1698. It remained the official royal
residence until 1837 when Queen Victoria moved to Buckingham Palace.
St. James Park (Map: F-4) - Originally part of the grounds of St. James Palace
it was landscaped for public use in 1829 by John Nash.
St. James Square (Map: E-4) - Laid out in the 1660's on land owned by Henry
Jermyn, Earl of St. Albans. The land was given to the Earl by Charles II after
the Restoration because Jermyn had remained loyal during Charles' exile. Dennis
plans to finance the removal of Dolly with loot that the rioters had thrown into
"the convenient piece of water in the midst" of St. James Square (Barnaby
Rudge).
St. Paul's Cathedral (Map: D-9) - Long the focalpoint of the London skyline, the
present St. Paul's Cathedral, built by Sir Christopher Wren from 1675 to 1711,
replaced the old gothic cathedral which burned in the Great Fire of 1666. St.
Paul's is part of the background scenery in many of Dickens' works. David takes
Peggotty to the top of St. Paul's (David Copperfield).
Scotland Yard (Map: E-6) - Home of the London's Metropolitan Police, created by
Sir Robert Peel in 1829. Named for a Medieval palace on this site in Whitehall
reserved for visiting kings and queens of Scotland. Described by Dickens in
"Scotland-Yard" (Sketches by Boz).
Seven Dials (Map: C-5) - Infamous criminal district where seven streets converge
at St. Giles. Dickens noted that a stranger who finds himself in The Dials for
the first time will see enough around him to keep his curiosity and attention
awake for no inconsiderable time (Seven Dials-Sketches by Boz).
Smithfield (Map:B-9) - London's live cattle market. Cattle were driven through
the streets until the mid 19th century. The market was moved to slaughterhouses
in Islington in 1855. Oliver Twist and Sikes pass through Smithfield Market on
their way to burglarize the Brownlow home noting that "It was
market-morning. The ground was covered, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire;
a thick steam, perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle"
(Oliver Twist). In A Parliamentary Sketch Dickens describes "the noise and
confusion (in the House), to be met with in no other place in existence, not
even excepting Smithfield on a market-day" (Sketches by Boz).
Somerset House (Map: D-7) - Originally built in 1550 and was once a royal
residence. It was demolished in 1775 and rebuilt, completed in 1836 to house
government offices. Dickens' father and uncle were employed there.
Southwark (Map: E-9) - District south of the Thames which includes the Borough.
Southwark was the scene of dense riverside warehouses and slums in Dickens'
time.
Southwark Bridge (Map: D-10) - Designed by John Rennie, built in 1815-1819 and
replaced in 1912. Sometimes referred to as Iron Bridge. Amy Dorrit liked to walk
there and John Chivery proposed to her on the bridge (Little Dorrit).
Strand (Map: D-6) - Wide thoroughfare which connects Westminster to Fleet Street
and the City. Dickens worked at Warren's Blacking factory at Hungerford stairs
in the west side of the Strand. He also worked for several publications that had
offices in this area and knew it very well. For this reason it appears in many
of the works. Mr. Haredale walks along the Strand after his house is burned and
no one will give him shelter (Barnaby Rudge). David Copperfield finds a good
shop to buy pudding in the Strand (David Copperfield). Martin Chuzzlewit, after
great trouble, finds lodging for himself and Mark Tapley at a court in the
Strand, not far from Temple Bar (Martin Chuzzlewit). The Nickleby's have lodging
in the Strand at the home of Miss La Creevy nickleby.html(Nicholas Nickleby).
Tavistock House (Map:B-5) - Dickens' home from 1851 to 1860 located at Tavistock
Square. While living here Dickens and his wife, Catherine, separated. He
purchased Gad's Hill Place, near Rochester, in 1856 and for four years
maintained both residences. Tavistock House was demolished in 1901.
The Temple (Map: D-8) - Area of London originally occupied by the Knights
Templar, who protected pilgrims on their journey to the Holy Land. Later the
Temple was occupied by two of the four Inns of Court, Inner Temple and Middle
Temple. Pip has chambers at the Temple, when he is visited by Magwitch (Great
Expectations). Sir John Chester has chambers in the Temple (Barnaby Rudge).
Stryver, lawyer who defends Charles Darnay, also has chambers there (A Tale of
Two Cities).
Temple Bar (Map: C-7) - Archway, designed by Wren, used to mark the border
between the City and Westminster where Fleet Street becomes the Strand. The
archway caused major traffic congestion and was removed in 1878. Simon Tappertit
has the 'prentices vow that in case of violence, Temple Bar will not be harmed
(Barnaby Rudge). Jarvis Lorry works for Tellson's Bank near Temple Bar (A Tale
of Two Cities).
Thames Street (Map: D-9) - Street running from Blackfriars to the Tower of
London. Mrs Clennam's house is in Thames Street or nearby (Little Dorrit).
The Tower (Map: E-13) - Built on the site of Roman fortifications, the central
part of the Tower, known as the White Tower, was built in 1078 by William the
Conqueror. Subsequent rings of fortification were added later. It was used as a
royal residence as well as a prison and place of execution until Elizabethan
times. England's child king, Edward V, and his brother were murdered in the
Tower in 1483 supposedly by their uncle, Richard III. The crown jewels are
guarded here by the Beefeaters. Sam Weller refers to the killing of Edward V in
the Tower (Pickwick Papers). Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Quilp live on Tower Hill (The
Old Curiosity Shop). David takes Peggotty sightseeing to the Tower (David
Copperfield). Pip, Herbert, and Startop row past the Tower while attempting to
help Magwitch escape England (Great Expectations).
Tottenham Court Road (Map: B-4) - Street running north from St Giles Circus
containing many drapers' shops. Miss Knag's brother, Mortimer,has a stationer's
shop here nickleby.html(Nicholas Nickleby). Peggotty helps Traddles recover his
property from a broker's shop here (David Copperfield).
Trafalgar Square (Map: E-5) - Created during the 1830's and 1840's the Square
replaced the royal stables. It is named for the Spanish cape Trafalgar. It was
off this cape that Admiral Nelson defeated the Spanish and French fleets in
1805. Nelson's Column, at the Square, commemorates this victory.
Tyburn (Map: C-1) - Place of public execution until 1783 when they were moved to
Newgate Prison. Dennis the hangman was executioner at Tyburn (Barnaby Rudge).
Vauxhall Bridge (Map: I-5) - A cast iron bridge built in 1811 and was originally
called Regent's Bridge. It was replaced in 1906.
Vauxhall Gardens (Map: I-6) - Fashionable garden resort of the 18th and early
19th centuries. Jonathon Tyers made extensive improvements in the gardens in the
early 1700's and it became one of London's favorite public attractions.
Concerts, plays, and even fireworks entertained the crowds there. By the mid
1800's the park had fallen out of favor and drew more disreputable crowds. The
gardens were closed in 1859. Dickens describes Vauxhall Gardens in
"Vauxhall-gardens by Day" (Sketches by Boz). Mr. Stryver proposes to
take Miss Manette to Vauxhall Gardens (A Tale of Two Cities).
Wapping (Map: D-13) - East London riverside district, home of the London Docks
built between 1800 and 1820.
Warren's Blacking Factory (Map: E-6) - Boot polish factory where 12-year-old
Dickens was sent to work, fixing labels to bottles of blacking, to help support
his family. Dickens had dreams of becoming a gentleman and was humiliated
working with the rough men and boys at the factory. The experience had a major
impact on Dickens later life and works and also on his relationship with his
mother who, after Charles left the factory as the result of a quarrel between
his father and the owners of the factory, argued unsuccessfully to have him sent
back. Dickens relates the misery he felt during this time in the fictionalized
account of David Copperfield working at Murdstone and Grinby's warehouse (David
Copperfield). Warren's Blacking Factory was located at 30 Hungerford Stairs, the
Strand. A ferry operated at the stairs until 1845 when Hungerford foot bridge
opened , hoping to spur trade at Hungerford Market. The market was torn down in
1860 to make way for Charing Cross railway station and the footbridge was
replaced by a railway bridge in 1863. The railway company argued that few people
used the footbridge due to the smell from the river. The Micawbers take
temporary lodging in a "little, dirty, tumble-down public-house" at
Hungerford stairs before emigrating to Australia (David Copperfield).
Waterloo Bridge (Map: E-7) - Another bridge designed by John Rennie, it opened
in 1817. Originally to be named Strand Bridge, the name was changed to
commemorate Wellington's victory over Napoleon in 1815 at Waterloo. It was
demolished in 1939 and in 1945 it was replaced by a bridge designed by Sir Giles
Gilbert Scott. Sam Weller tells Pickwick that he once had "unfurnished
lodgins' for a fortnight" under the dry arches of Waterloo Bridge (Pickwick
Papers).
Westminster (Map: G-4) - Originally the city of Westminster before London
expanded during the 19th century and absorbed it. Whitehall and St. James and
Buckingham Palaces as well as Westminster Abbey are located here.
Westminster Abbey (Map: F-5) - The most famous of England's churches. Originally
built by Edward the Confessor in 1050, the abbey was rebuilt in its present
Gothic style starting in 1245. Henry VII added his Chapel shortly before his
death in 1509. England's monarchs since William the Conqueror in 1066 have been
crowned here. Many of England's kings and queens are buried at Westminster Abbey
as are many of its famous citizens including Chauncer, Newton, and Darwin.
Charles Dickens was buried in Poet's Corner, in the Abbey, upon his death on
June 14, 1870. Pip and Herbert Pocket attend services in the Abbey (Great
Expectations). Mould the undertaker tells Mrs. Gamp that gold can buy a
gentleman a tomb in Westminster Abbey if he chooses to invest in such a purchase
(Martin Chuzzlewit).
Westminster Bridge (Map: F-6) - Westminster Bridge was the second bridge over
the Thames. Built of stone, work began in 1739 and was completed in 1750. This
bridge was replaced in 1862. David Copperfield crosses Westminster Bridge with
Mr. Peggotty in his search for Emily (David Copperfield). Barnaby and his mother
cross Westminster Bridge on their journey back to London after hiding out in the
country (Barnaby Rudge).
Whitechapel (Map: C-12) - City located outside the walled city at Aldgate. Named
for the whitewashed Chapel of Ease that became a parish church in 1320. Noted
for many coaching inns for travelers in Dickens' time. Pickwick, Sam Weller, Mr.
Weller Sr., and Mr. Peter Magnus leave for Ipswich from the Bull Inn here
(Pickwick Papers). John Willet sends Joe to London with credit to eat at the
Black Lion on the Whitechapel Road (Barnaby Rudge). David Copperfield arrives in
London for the first time and stays at an inn in Whitechapel and relates "I
forget whether it was the Blue Bull, or the Blue Boar; but I know it was the
Blue something" (David Copperfield).
Whitehall (Map: E-5) - District of Westminster named for the royal palace built
here in 1532 by Henry VIII. The prime minister's residence of number 10 Downing
street and other government offices are located here.
Whitehall Banqueting Hall (Map: F-5) - Designed by Inigo Jones in 1622 and
featuring ceiling paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, it survived a fire that
destroyed much of Whitehall in 1698.