“Midden” or “Virgin Mary”? The origins of Maiden Lane’s name are shrouded in mystery. Welcome to Maiden Lane, a narrow street with a surprising past. It sits in the underbelly of Covent Garden. Maiden Lane is a short street. It runs parallel to the Strand. Do not let its size fool you. Maiden Lane boasts many ghosts from different ages.
Let’s journey back to the 18th century. The White Wig Inn stood here. Voltaire, the French philosopher, stayed there in the 1720s. He was in exile from France. Voltaire complained endlessly about British food. He developed a taste for British freedoms. He also liked Shakespeare’s plays.
Forty years later, a baby wailed on Maiden Lane. It was J.M.W. Turner. He was born in his father’s barber shop at No 21 Maiden Lane in 1775. Turner lived here for his first decade. He saw the nearby market and the River Thames. These images influenced his art.
Fast forward to the 1890s. Fred Gaisberg opened Britain’s first recording studio at No 31 Maiden Lane. It was The Gramophone Company, later EMI. Gaisberg chose Maiden Lane. It was near the Opera House and Rules Restaurant. Opera singers relaxed at Rules after performances. Gaisberg bought them champagne. Then, he persuaded them to record songs in his studio. The modern music industry was born here.
Rules Restaurant still stands on Maiden Lane. It retains its 1890s atmosphere. The food, decor and service are old fashioned. People still dine here after the opera. A man in a top hat opens the door.
Maiden Lane has Catholic roots. The lane was once blocked by a statue of Our Lady. This is one theory for the street’s name. Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church is on Maiden Lane. It was built in the 1870s.
Queen Victoria once decreed that Maiden Lane should be unblocked. She did not like her carriage having to make a three-point turn.
Lumley Court, a sinister alley, connects Maiden Lane to the Strand. It reminds us of London’s dangerous side.
Maiden Lane is more than just a street. It is a place where art, music, and history intertwine. As you wander down this lane, remember the tales it holds. Each building whispers stories of famous figures. Their impact shaped not only London but the world.