Bow Street

A number of notable people lived here in the 17th and 18th centuries, including Oliver Cromwell and Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford.

In the 18th century, the street declined as a place of residence following the establishment of the nearby Covent Garden Theatre, which led to a reputation for prostitution.

During the 19th century, Bow Street was a de facto extension of Covent Garden and its associated markets, selling then-exotic fruit and vegetables.

[2] It was eventually connected by his son, William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford, who gave ownership of the street over to the Paving Commissioners of St. Martin in the Fields, so it could be a public right of way.

Author and scribe John Ayres stayed at Bow street during the late 17th century, as did the playwright William Wycherley.

[3] The forerunner of the modern police force, the Bow Street Runners, were founded there by novelist and dramatist Henry Fielding around 1750,[8] after he assembled a group of volunteers who would be paid for securing convictions and could take private commission or rewards.

[3] Many of the early records of the Bow Street Runners were destroyed in the Gordon Riots of 1780, when the magistrates' court became a target.

[9] Oscar Wilde was arrested and charged with gross indecency at the court in 1895; following an overnight stay on remand, he ordered tea, toast and eggs from the nearby Tavistock Hotel, who delivered them to his cell.

[9] The courts closed in July 2006 as its Grade II listing meant it was not economical to update it to modern standards.

There has been a theatre on or near Bow Street since the first opened in 1732, designed by Edward Shepherd for the actor John Rich.

[14] The presence of the theatre gave the area a reputation for prostitution and changed the character of Bow Street.

The Floral Hall, part of Barry's redevelopment, was badly damaged by fire in 1956, but the remainder survived through the 20th century.

[2][15] In March 1919, a riot broke out on Bow Street after around 2,000 overseas World War I servicemen awaiting demobilisation clashed with local police.

[17] Bow Street Police Station is mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes story The Man with the Twisted Lip.

At the station, Holmes reveals that the beggar Hugh Boone is the aristocrat Neville St. Clair in disguise.