Hanway Street Conservation Area

Overview

The Hanway Street Conservation Area covers just two roads and their buildings - Hanway Street and Hanway Place. It is an area of forgotten London, the streets narrow and dirty, with a real run-down feeling. Its curved streets are a vestige from Medieval London, but the buildings themselves are from the Georgian Era and later. Although under no direct threat currently, its strategic position next to Oxford Street places it at moderate risk.

Threat Level: Moderate

The two roads have a run-down character which unfortunately attracts redevelopment in Central London. Its central location and state of poor repair place the area at moderate risk.

History of Designation

The area was considered as an extension to the Bloomsbury Conservation Area but it was felt it had a distinct character of its own, and so it was designated as its own Conservation Area in 1989.

History

Hanway Street was developed during the early Georgian development of the West End, with building being completed by the 1740s. Throughout the Georgian Period the area was associated with local coaching inns, and shops in the ground floors of buildings sold lace and other luxury items. During the Victorian Era, before New Oxford Street was created, Hanway Street was a busy thoroughfare, for those travelling from Westminster through to Bloomsbury, and it remained relatively well used until the 1950s onwards, where perhaps its slightly dangerous feel deters tourists from using it despite it being a useful cut-through.

Special Character

Please visit Camden's website and peruse their documents to learn more about the special character of the Hanway Street Conservation Area. Learn More