One of the capital city’s biggest (and littlest) secrets comes in the form of a surreptitious side street, nestled neatly amongst the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden. Dating all the way back to the 17th century, Goodwin’s Court is a tiny Georgian alleyway that looks like it could have been plucked straight from the pages of a Dickens Novel. And you’ve probably walked straight past it without even noticing it.
Goodwin’s Court
Measuring around 76-metres long and just two metres wide, this picture-perfect passageway conveniently connects St Martin’s Lane with Bedfordbury. According to a nearby plaque, Goodwin’s Court was built in 1690, replacing what was formerly known as Fishers Alley. It’s a rather easy-to-miss little spot, but once you manage to locate it, you’ll feel as though you’ve been whisked back in time.
Goodwin’s Court is home to a row of historic houses, boasting big Victorian bay windows, gas-lit lamps, and glistening doorknobs. It’s thought that one of the alleyway’s earliest residents was actress (and mistress to Charles II), Nell Gwynn, but it’s certainly seen a vibrant variety of faces over the years. Many tradespeople who worked nearby supposedly lived there originally, but the street later became a bit of a hub for local theatrical folk as the West End began to grow in popularity.
In the thirties, Goodwin’s Court began to deteriorate, and it was soon declared unfit for human habitation. But that’s when Leslie Sympson swept in, snapped up the entire row of residences, gave the properties some well-needed TLC, and transformed the court into the business hub that it is today.
Goodwin’s Court is thought to have been the inspiration behind some rather iconic fictional streets, one of which being – of course – Diagon Alley. The perfectly-preserved passageway is known to attract Harry Potter fans from near and far, and many of the houses display Potter-related memorabilia, well-and-truly leaning in to this claim to fame.
Goodwin’s Court is a gorgeous slice of London’s rich history in the very heart of tourist-town. And if nothing else, it’s a shortcut well-worth knowing if you want to avoid the crowds and look ‘in the know’ to your out-of-town pals.