Henry Jermyn began developing Jermyn Street back in 1665. If you were a Jermyn Street resident back then your social standing would have been influenced by how close your property was to the noisy, bustling St James’ market; If you lived to the east of the church your social standing would not have been as high as someone who lived to the west, probably because the nearer the market you lived, the lower the value of your house.
Eight things you didn’t know about the history of Jermyn Street
Nestled aside Piccadilly in the City of Westminster, London, is an exclusive haven of tobacconists, barbers, men’s and women’s formalwear shops and – most importantly – the best-known shirt makers in the country, if not the world. The street has come a long way to become the address as we know it today. Welcome to London’s Jermyn Street...
- Jermyn Street, where west is best
- Jermyn Street and the “comforts of home”
In 1815, Jermyn Street was full of hotels. Archived commentary of the time states that “…the accommodations, much to the injury of taverns and lodging houses, combine all the retirement and comforts of home with the freedom of access, egress, and ingress, which one generally expects when abroad.” Famous lodgers included members of Parliament and Sir Walter Scott, who stayed there in the summer of 1832 shortly before his death.
- Jermyn Street and the Natural History Museum
Part of The Natural History Museum began life in Jermyn Street. In May 1849, The Museum of Practical Geology was opened there at a total cost of £43,633. It housed a collection of minerals and precious stones. Within a few years the building became cramped and the staff, laboratories and specimens all eventually moved to South Kensington. The museum was renamed “The Geological Museum” and became part of the Natural History Museum in the 1930’s
- Jermyn Street and the World Wars
Jermyn Street was affected by bombs that had fallen in Piccadilly during the World Wars. This caused severe structural damage and a number of properties had to be partly rebuilt. One such building was the famous Bunch of Grapes public house, which was situated at number 80 Jermyn Street from 1912.
- Jermyn Street and the Cavendish Hotel
This famous London hotel began life as the British Hotel, owned by John Hickinbottom in the early 1800s. Unfortunately it was not a success. Hickinbottom fell behind in his rent payments and was declared bankrupt. In 1911, the hotel was taken over by Mrs Rosa Lewis who made it a part of the Cavendish hotel.
- Jermyn Street and Charles Tyrwhitt
Charles Tyrwhitt currently occupies number 92 Jermyn Street. Go back to 1862 and this address was that of the Savoy Turkish Baths, one of two Turkish bathhouses that occupied Jermyn Street at one time or another. Here, male bathers were invited to recharge their batteries in hot steam rooms and saunas, soak in hot or cold baths and be fanned with feathers, all in the name of relaxation.
- Jermyn Street and the RSPCA
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1824 and was especially interested in improving the conditions in slaughterhouses, the treatment of draught horses and abolishing bull-baiting and cock-fighting. Princess Victoria became a patron and in 1840 she granted it permission to use the prefix ‘Royal’. The RSPCA headquarters moved to 105 Jermyn Street in 1902, where meetings were held and fundraising arranged.
- Jermyn Street and shirt makers
So how did Jermyn Street become synonymous with the finest shirt makers in the world? Throughout the ages, Jermyn Street has been situated in area of wealth, where powerful people have lived. In turn, a number of specialist tradesman set up shop there, including saddle makers, hatters, wine merchants and of course, shirt makers. Some of these trades have been and gone but others, especially shirt makers in the form of Charles Tyrwhitt, are still going strong.
