Holborn

The Old Curiosity Shop

13-14 Portsmouth Street London WC2

There is much controversy as to whether this old building is the oirginal that inspired Charles Dickens to write his novel of the same name.  It is indisputably the 17th Century building it claims to be as well as being probably the oldest shop in Central London.  How it has escaped the ravages of the Great Fire, the World War II bombs and the attention of modern builders anxious to knock it dowmn for re-development is amazing.  It has an external overhanging first floor and gives you an excellent idea of how this part of London must have looked 400 years ago.  It has a preservaiton order on the building.

Nearest Tube station Holborn.

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