It doesn't matter how long you have lived in London, there is always something new to discover. A hidden piece of history lies right under the feet of pedestrians on Charing Cross Road, visible only through a metal grille on a traffic island.
Little Compton Street, once part of a notorious Victorian slum, was demolished in 1886 to make way for Charing Cross Road. Today, it can be glimpsed through a grate near the junction with Old Compton Street, but accessing the view requires kneeling down in the middle of the road, attracting curious glances from passers-by.
The underground passage is filled with wires and maintenance equipment, but careful observers can spot a weathered sign reading 'COMBTON' (the P rusted into a B) and painted lettering that clearly says 'Little Compton Street'. According to London Walking Tours, the street was buried during the construction of the new road, though in reality the tunnel is part of a utility subway network built to minimise disruption during repairs.
The signs acted as markers for workers navigating the tunnels without needing to surface. For those willing to brave the odd looks, a peek through the grille offers a glimpse of 1800s London hidden beneath the modern streets of Soho.
