Hercules Road

[1][2] The road is named after Hercules Hall, which was built by and was the home of Philip Astley (1742–1814), riding instructor, horse-trainer, and acknowledged as the inventor of the modern circus.

[3] Performing nearby in an open field behind the present site of St John's Church, Waterloo, Astley realised the advantages of riding in a circle, and thus invented the circus ring.

He was a principal among the many performers who made Lambeth a popular entertainment resort at that time.

In 1860 the actress and dancer Phyllis Broughton was born at 90 Hercules Buildings.

[8] At the conclusion of filming, the site had to be returned to the same bomb-damaged state as before, to enable the locals to claim war damage compensation.