Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Modern galleries at the museum cover the eighteenth century onwards, and include a door
from Newgate and artefacts including a fan celebrating George III's escape from assassin-
ation at Drury Lane Theatre (Walk 7) and one of John Manton's duelling pistols (Walk 3).
It is possible to cover the eighteenth century and Regency area in an hour, but allow much
longer for the whole museum. There is a café and a shop with a good book section.
A London merchant couple in their modest but respectable clothes,
portrayed by a French artist in 1804. A ship, the symbol of trade, sails
on the Thames behind them.
To continue on the main route, cross to Cheapside, the street that the Bingley sisters
laugh about so snobbishly in
Pride and Prejudice
when they discover that the Bennett girls
have an aunt and uncle living in the City.
'If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,' cried Bingley, 'it would not make them one jot less
agreeable.' 'But it must very materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any consideration in the
world,' replied Darcy.
For all the sneers it was actually a very prosperous and respectable commercial and shop-
ping area.
On the right-hand side is the Wren church of St Mary le Bow. Tradition has it that to be
considered a Cockney a Londoner must be born within the sound of its bells.
Lions guarding a heap of coins on one of the Bank's external walls.
Cheapside becomes Poultry, which was the location of the ancient King's Head Tavern.
It was famous as the principal turtle depot, with tanks of them in the courtyard, ready to be
sent out to make luxurious soup. Elizabeth Fry, the prison reformer, lived at St Mildred's
Court at the end of Poultry, almost opposite Mansion House, official residence of the Lord
Mayor since 1752.
