St. Martin’s Lane is a street in London that runs from Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden. It is one of the oldest streets in London, dating back to Roman times.
The street was originally known as Watling Street
The street was originally known as Watling Street, but was renamed in the 12th century after the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, which is located at the southern end of the street.
If you where to step back to the middle ages, you would find the street as an important thoroughfare into London from the West. The street was lined with inns, taverns, and other businesses that catered to travellers, making it a lively and bustling place.
St. Martin’s Lane was originally a residential street, but it became increasingly commercial during the 17th and 18th centuries. The street was home to a number of theaters, including the St. Martin’s Lane was also home to a number of coffee houses, which were popular meeting places for artists, writers, and politicians.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields
One of the most famous landmarks on St. Martin’s Lane is the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Built in the 18th century, the church is an impressive example of neoclassical architecture. It has been the site of many important events throughout London’s history, including royal weddings and funerals.
Theatre land
In the 19th century, St. Martin’s Lane became a center for the arts. The street was home to a number of art galleries, including the Royal Academy of Arts, and it was also home to a number of theaters, including the Lyceum Theatre, the Apollo Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is one of the oldest theaters in London.
Coliseum Theatre
Another notable landmark on the street is the Coliseum Theatre, which was built in 1904. The theater is one of London’s largest and most impressive, and has hosted countless productions over the years.
St. Martin’s Lane continued to be a center for the arts in the 20th century, and continues to be the home of theaters, art galleries, and restaurants.
St. Martin’s Lane is a vibrant and historic street that is home to a variety of businesses and attractions. It is a popular destination for tourists and Londoners alike.
Grade II listed buildings on St Martin’s Lane
- Nos. 1-7 St. Martin’s Lane – A terrace of three-storey buildings with 19th-century shopfronts and 18th-century interiors.
- Nos. 8-10 St. Martin’s Lane – A pair of three-storey buildings with 19th-century shopfronts and 18th-century interiors.
- Wyndham’s Theatre, No. 32 St. Martin’s Lane – A late 19th-century theatre built in the Renaissance style, with a red-brick and terracotta facade.
- Coliseum Theatre, No. 33 St. Martin’s Lane – A grand Edwardian theatre built in 1904 with a white Portland stone facade and a classical interior.
- Leicester Square Theatre, No. 6 Leicester Place (on the corner with St. Martin’s Lane) – A 1950s theatre with a curved corner entrance and a simple, modernist facade.
