St Martin's Lane facts for kids
St Martin's Lane is a famous street in the heart of London, England. It is located in an area called the City of Westminster. The street runs from the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, which it is named after, all the way north to Long Acre. Near its northern end, it changes its name to Monmouth Street. St Martin's Lane and Monmouth Street together form a road known as the B404.
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History of St Martin's Lane
The street first started to be built up around 1610. At that time, a powerful person named Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury was given a large piece of land on the west side of the street. It was first called West Church Lane. The name we use today, St Martin's Lane, began in 1618.
A Lively Street for Arts
St Martin's Lane is not a very wide street, and it does not have a lot of traffic. It is home to some very important places. For example, the English National Opera performs at the Coliseum Theatre here. There are also two other theatres on the lane: the Duke of York's Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre.
You can also find many interesting shops on St Martin's Lane. There are shops that sell used books and old treasures. You can also find high-quality clothing stores for gentlemen. The street has many cafes and a music shop, which are popular with people who love opera and theatre. A famous agency for actors and writers, started by Peggy Ramsay in 1953, was located in Goodwin's Court, a small alley off the lane.
Two walking paths, St Martin's Court and Cecil Court, connect St Martin's Lane to Charing Cross Road. These paths also have similar kinds of shops.
Famous Artists and Furniture Makers
In the 1700s, St Martin's Lane was known for an art school started by the famous artist William Hogarth. Later, it became a popular place for skilled furniture makers and people who made furniture coverings. One of the most famous was Thomas Chippendale, who moved his workshop here in 1753. Other well-known makers included Vile and Cobb and William Hallett.
The Salisbury Pub
The Salisbury is a historic pub located in the Covent Garden area, close to St Martin's Lane. It was built around 1899 as part of a six-story building. Before that, another pub stood in its place.
The Salisbury is a very special building. It is listed as a Grade II building, which means it is important for its history and design. It is also on the CAMRA's National Inventory. This is because of its beautiful etched and polished glass, and its detailed carved wood designs inside.
St Martin's Lane in Movies
St Martin's Lane has even been featured in movies! A film called St Martin's Lane (also known as Sidewalks of London) was made in 1938. It starred famous actors like Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison, and Charles Laughton. This movie later inspired a Broadway musical called Busker Alley.
The street also appears a lot in the 1961 film Victim. Some scenes from this movie were even filmed inside The Salisbury pub.
