Although an American invention, Monopoly is a popular board game the world over. In the United Kingdom there are a number of Monopoly games available, but easily the most popular version is set in the capital: London. The majority of properties represented on the Monopoly board are still in existence today and can be visited by the general public. Visiting all the spaces on the Monopoly board is a relatively common experience that many Londoners turn into an evening out, taking part in what we call a ‘Monopoly Pub Crawl.’ But with or without the drink, a journey across London’s Monopoly Board is an interesting and unique way to visit London. From those who love to travel, to those who love the game, keep up with our trip around the Monopoly Board and experience London in an entirely new way!
Part 3 – Pinks
Encompassing thoroughfares in Westminster , the Pinks represent an area once filled with expensive property and private clubs
Top Tourist Tip: Stand at the southern end of Whitehall in Parliament Square and you will find yourself in the only space in London where all four arms of the state are recognised: Legislative (Houses of Parliament), Religious (Westminster Abbey), Judicial (The Supreme Court), and Executive (HM Treasury)
Pall Mall (£140)
Named after a lawn game (often seen as ‘pelemele’ or ‘paille maille’) popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, Pall Mall is a major thoroughfare in the St. James area of London. It is believed the current Pall Mall runs along a site that has had a road in place since the 12th century, or perhaps even earlier. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Pall Mall became home to numerous gentlemen’s clubs and became the centre of the fine art movement in London when the road was home to the National Gallery, the Royal Academy and Christie’s Auction House. Many famous residents called Pall Mall their home including the Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos as well as Charles II’s most well-known mistress, Nell Gwynne. Pall Mall is still owned by the Crown of State and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Court has headquarters at the westernmost part of the road at St. James’s Palace (where Prince George is set to be baptised on the 23rd of October!).
Whitehall (£140)
The main thoroughfare from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea, Whitehall is home to Her Majesty’s Government and their offices. Downing Street, HM Treasury, the Ministry of Defence, The Horse Guards Building and the Houses of Parliament all line Whitehall. The name Whitehall comes from Whitehall Palace, a primary royal residence built in the 1530’s, which was so called because of the white stone it was built from. The only part of the palace that still survives is Banqueting House which was built by Inigo Jones in 1622 and served as the setting for the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Whitehall is also home to a number of statues and war memorials and it is there that Britain’s primary war memorial, the Cenotaph, is located.
Northumberland Avenue (£160)
Home to the wealthy Dukes of Northumberland, the Percy family, the Avenue takes its’ name from their London home previously on this site. Built in 1608 the house was gargantuan and was not demolished in 1866. Northumberland Avenue now stands where the house would have been, running from Trafalgar Square to the Embankment of the Thames. Northumberland Avenue was also home to Thomas Edison whilst he was in London and now holds student accommodation for the LSE as well as the Sherlock Holmes pub which boasts a recreation of Holmes and Watson’s sitting room and study. Behind Northumberland Avenue, on Craven Street, sits the London home of Benjamin Franklin, now open to the public as a museum.
An American simply by accident of birth, Margaret moved to London over 16 years ago and hasn’t looked back since! With a keen interest in History – and a BA degree to match – Margaret prides herself on her knowledge of the amazing city she calls home and she's been guiding here now for nearly a decade. Social history is her real expertise, with sound understanding of the day-to-day lives of Londoners over the past centuries. Read More...
