Londonist's Back Passage

A tribute to the capital’s alleys, ginnels and snickleways

25. Meard Street

Where? Part-pedestrianised route in the heart of Soho, linking Wardour and Dean Streets. Sounds like a sack of French excrement. Isn't.

What? Meard Street is a street of two halves, with a western end closed to traffic and an eastern cul-de-sac. This reflects the origins of the street, which started life as a pair of courtyards. The unified route was built in the 1720-30s by the carpenter John Meard, who was also responsible for the slightly eccentric spire of nearby St Anne's church. Many of the original houses remain, and it's perhaps the best place in Soho to admire Georgian architecture.

Why use?
Good for street art. Not only does a faded Banksy rat grace the corner of one building, but a peculiar stone nose can be seen poking out from a wall at the eastern end. And then there's this.

See each and every one of our back passages mapped here