Poultry, London facts for kids
Looking east down Poultry toward Bank junction in 2009
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| Length | 110 m (360 ft) |
|---|---|
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Postal code | EC2 |
| Nearest train station |   Bank |
| Coordinates | 51°30′49″N 0°5′27.84″W / 51.51361°N 0.0910667°W |
| West end | Cheapside |
| East end | Mansion House Street |
Poultry is a short street in the City of London. The City of London is the oldest part of London. It is also a very important financial area today. Poultry street continues from Cheapside in the west. It runs between Old Jewry and Mansion House Street. The street ends near Bank Junction.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of Poultry Street
Poultry street gets its name from what was once sold there. Many streets nearby, like Milk Street and Bread Street, are named after foods. This is because Cheapside, which is close by, used to be a big market. The word "Cheapside" actually means "market-place" in Old English.
In the late 1500s, a writer named John Stow noted something interesting. He said that the "poulterers" (people who sold chickens and other birds) had only recently moved from this area. So, Poultry street was once where you could buy all sorts of poultry!
A Walk Through Time: Poultry Street's Past
From Rabbits to Taverns
Long ago, Poultry street was known by a different name. It was called Conningshop-lane. This name came from three "conies" or rabbits. These rabbits used to hang over a poulterer's stall in the lane.
In the 1400s and early 1600s, Poultry was famous for its many taverns. Taverns were like old pubs or inns. However, after the terrible Great Fire of London in 1666, most of these taverns were not rebuilt. The Great Fire destroyed much of London.
The Lost Church of St Mildred
On the north side of Poultry street, there once stood a church. It was called St Mildred, Poultry. After the Great Fire, the church was rebuilt. Sir Christopher Wren, a famous architect, designed the new church.
But in 1872, the church was taken down. Its land was sold. A new building, the Gresham Life Assurance office, was built in its place.
The Poultry Compter Prison
The street also gave its name to a prison. This prison was called the Poultry Compter. It was a brick building with fifteen different areas for prisoners. It even had special sections for different groups of people.
The Poultry Compter prison closed in the early 1800s. The prisoners were then moved to a new prison called the White Cross Street Compter.
Landmarks: Buildings on Poultry Street
Even though Poultry is a short street, it has some very interesting buildings.
No 1 Poultry: A Modern Design
No 1 Poultry is a unique building. It is a postmodern office and shop building. Postmodern architecture often mixes old and new styles in surprising ways.
This building is home to the Coq d'Argent restaurant. This restaurant has a rooftop terrace. It also has a formal garden where you can relax. No 1 Poultry actually covers the space where numbers 1 to 17 used to be.
Grocers' Hall Court and the Livery Companies
Across the street from No 1 Poultry is a wide alley. This alley is called Grocers' Hall Court. It leads to the livery hall of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
What is a livery company? They are ancient organizations in the City of London. They started as guilds for different trades. The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the twelve most important livery companies. It ranks second in their special order. The main entrance to their hall is on Princes Street.
Midland Bank: A Historic Headquarters
Most of the north side of Poultry street was once the London headquarters of Midland Bank. This building, at 27–35 Poultry, is very important. It is a Grade I listed building. This means it is a building of exceptional historical or architectural interest. It is protected to make sure it lasts for a long time.
