A recent discovery in the bustling heart of London’s Soho district has sent ripples of excitement through the city’s history enthusiasts. Travel guru Chris Gledhill, known for his captivating TikTok adventures, stumbled upon what he believes to be “London’s buried street.”
While strolling down the vibrant Old Compton Street, Chris noticed something hidden beneath his feet. A simple iron grille on the road’s traffic island concealed a glimpse into London’s Victorian past. Peering through the grate, Chris revealed a forgotten world – the remnants of Little Compton Street, swallowed by the city’s growth over a century ago.
“In the Victorian times, Little Compton Street was built over, raising the street level,” Chris explained in his TikTok video. “In some places, the old street can still be seen.” He pointed his camera towards an old street sign, partially embedded in the brickwork, surrounded by cables and fallen leaves, a tangible testament to the street’s former existence.
Chris’s discovery sparked lively discussions online. Many viewers expressed astonishment, admitting they had walked past the spot countless times without knowing its history. Some even suggested an excavation to uncover more of the buried street’s secrets.
However, not everyone agreed with the “buried street” interpretation. Some believed it was merely part of a subway network built beneath Charing Cross Road in the late 19th century to accommodate the burgeoning utilities of modern London. Others claimed it was a sewer system, with the structure designed to help identify underground pipes.
Chris countered these theories, arguing that building over the old street was a more practical solution than installing utilities at street level and then raising the road.
Historical records support Chris’s discovery. According to London Walking Tours, Little Compton Street was “obliterated in 1886” by the Metropolitan Board of Works. They demolished the street and surrounding buildings to create Charing Cross Road, a crucial link between Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street.
Little Compton Street held historical significance, serving as the eastern extension of Old Compton Street beyond its junction with Greek Street. For fans of the iconic television series “Doctor Who”, it may be recognized as the passage connecting Torchwood One’s headquarters to the Torchwood bunker beneath Soho Square, accessible through a gardener’s hut, as detailed on the Tardis Wiki.
Whether a forgotten street or part of a larger infrastructure project, Chris Gledhill’s discovery reminds us that even in the heart of a modern metropolis, history lies just beneath the surface, waiting to be rediscovered.
