Caroline Street (Cardiff) facts for kids
| Chip Alley or Chippy Lane | |
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| Length | 200 m (700 ft) |
|---|---|
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°28′40.35″N 3°10′35.27″W / 51.4778750°N 3.1764639°W |
| North | Old Brewery Quarter |
| East | St. Mary's Street |
| West | The Hayes |
Caroline Street (Welsh: Stryd Caroline) is a busy street in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. It's a special street where only people can walk, not cars. You can find it between The Hayes and St. Mary's Street. Locals often call it Chippy Lane or Chippy Alley. This is because it has so many fast food shops, especially ones selling fish and chips!
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History of Caroline Street
Caroline Street is a very old part of Cardiff. It was once inside the original town walls. Many of its buildings are quite old and have special "listed building" status. This means they are important and protected.
How Caroline Street Got Its Name
The street was renamed during the Victorian era. This was a time when Queen Victoria ruled Britain (1837-1901). Caroline Street was named after Caroline of Brunswick. She was the wife of King George IV. The street next to it, Charlotte Street, is named after their daughter, Princess Charlotte of Wales.
Past Events on the Street
In 1857, there was a sad event on Caroline Street. Records show that about 150 people died from an outbreak of smallpox. Smallpox was a very serious disease that caused a rash and fever. Luckily, it has now been wiped out thanks to vaccines.
Chippy Alley: A Foodie Hotspot
Before World War II (which ended in 1945), Caroline Street was home to many different kinds of shops. You might have found butchers or cobblers (people who fix shoes) there.
The Rise of Fast Food
After the war, more and more family-owned fast food shops opened on Caroline Street. Today, it's famous for them! You won't find many big national or international chains here. Most shops are small, local businesses.
One of the oldest fast food shops on the street is Dorothy's. It's a traditional fish and chip shop that opened in 1953. A favorite meal for many people in South Wales is chips with curry sauce. You can find this tasty combo at almost all the shops on Chippy Alley!
Modern Makeover: 2003 Refurbishment
In 2003, Caroline Street got a big makeover. This happened because new areas were being built nearby. These included the Old Brewery Quarter and the St David's Centre.
A Cleaner, Safer Street
The street was already a pedestrian-only area. During the refurbishment, the ground was changed to a stone surface. This new surface is much easier to clean. It helps keep the street tidy, even with all the food packaging and waste that builds up. The new surface also makes it safer for people to walk, even late at night.
