The southern part is a continuation of the short John Street, which comes off Theobald's Road.

The northern part crosses Guilford Street and ends at Mecklenburgh Square.

In the nineteenth century, it was an exclusive residential street and had gates at either end to restrict entry and these were manned by porters.

[3] "It was a broad, airy, wholesome street – none of your common thoroughfares, to be rattled through by vulgar cabs and earth-shaking Pickford's vans; but a self-included property, with a gate at each end, and a lodge with a porter in a gold-laced hat and the Doughty arms on the buttons of his mulberry coat, to prevent any one, except with a mission to one of the houses, from, intruding on the exclusive territory.

"[4] The London Post Office Railway passes underneath the street, but is now disused.