Built in 1567 this is the oldest shop in Central London. Some people think this was the inspiration for Charles Dickens's novel of the same name but there is no evidence to support that claim other than Dickens living nearby. This timber framed building managed to escape not only the Great Fire of London but also the bombing of WW2.
The shop is tucked away surrounded by the London School of Economics yet it is so close to The Strand and Fleet Street that I can't believe I have never walked past it until this week. Constructed from ship salvaged wood it is no longer full of curiosities but handmade shoes. After 500 years it is still a shop. Quite an achievement.
It is nice that the footpath frontage has not been overly modernised although I sure it has been 'fixed' up at various times. 500 years, just amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing that the building survived so many dangers.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing thing to survive in that location for so long. It's twice as old as the country where I live!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place! :-)
ReplyDeleteUsed to walk past it often when working in London - but I didn't take photos in those days. It is amazing it's lasted as long and it's good to see a bit of really old London.
ReplyDeleteNever knew it really existed shame the modern buildings spoil it
ReplyDeleteEven in your own city you can get surprised! It looks well preserved.
ReplyDeleteOh I so want it to be the one that inspired the book! London is such an amazing city ...
ReplyDeleteIt's dwarfed by the neighboring buildings.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw your title my first thought was, I wonder if shoes are still being made there. And they are! I first noticed the shoes when I walked by maybe 8 years ago with a group of students. Not exactly the "odds and ends" they were expecting. How amazing it has survived all that history and the humble little building is still in use.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing that it is still a shop. I remember taking a photo of it back in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the biggest gems are in small corners. I probably would have walked right past it, but when next in London (whenever that may be) I will have a lookout for this.
ReplyDeleteI stood there for a photo 35 yrs. Ago!
ReplyDeleteI have never noticed that shop either, and it's a shop for me "curiosity shop" what a nice building well hidden !
ReplyDeleteYour comment mails always arrive in my spam although I have said that you are not spam ! Now I have to check each day, lol !