St Giles High Street, London
St Giles High Street is a short yet historically rich street located in the heart of the London West End, within the City of Westminster. The street connects High Holborn to the east with Denmark Street to the west, sitting on the border of Soho and Covent Garden. Although modest in length, it is surrounded by some of London's most dynamic and culturally significant thoroughfares.
Street Layout and Surroundings
St Giles High Street begins where High Holborn meets Shaftesbury Avenue and continues westward until it transitions into Denmark Street. Just north of the street is the bustling junction of Tottenham Court Road, and nearby is the east end of Shaftesbury Avenue. The area around St Giles High Street has undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years, now featuring a blend of historic buildings, modern office blocks, and retail outlets.
The street is also adjacent to the St Giles Circus intersection, a busy hub formed by the convergence of Tottenham Court Road, New Oxford Street, and Charing Cross Road.
History of St Giles High Street
St Giles High Street takes its name from the ancient parish of St Giles-in-the-Fields, a reference to the former leper hospital founded in the 12th century. The area was once open countryside outside the old City of London boundary, and the church of St Giles-in-the-Fields remains a prominent landmark near the street's eastern end.
During the 17th to 19th centuries, the area became heavily urbanised and was known for its slums, most notoriously the "St Giles Rookery"—an overcrowded, crime-ridden district that Charles Dickens and other writers depicted in their works. Much of this was demolished in the mid-19th century to make way for new streets and public works. The modern St Giles High Street was laid out in its current form following these changes, with additional redevelopment in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Connecting Streets
Name and Pronunciation
The name St Giles is pronounced as /sənt ˈdʒaɪlz/ ("sent JYLES"). The street is named after Saint Giles, the patron saint of lepers and beggars, in reference to the historic hospital that once stood nearby. The name "High Street" refers to its former importance as a main commercial road within the St Giles parish.
Nearby Attractions and Landmarks
St Giles High Street is surrounded by a number of notable attractions and points of interest:
- St Giles-in-the-Fields Church: A Grade I listed Anglican church dating from the 18th century, located just off the eastern end of the street.
- Centre Point: A landmark modernist skyscraper now converted into luxury apartments, rising above St Giles Circus.
- Denmark Street: Known as "Tin Pan Alley", historically associated with British music publishing and recording studios.
- Tottenham Court Road Station: A major transport interchange with access to key London Underground lines and the Elizabeth line.
Real Estate on St Giles High Street
As of June 2025, real estate on and around St Giles High Street reflects its central location. Residential units, though limited in number, command high prices. A one-bedroom apartment of approximately 550 sq ft (51 sq m) in a nearby development typically sells for around £950,000, while two-bedroom units around 900 sq ft (84 sq m) can reach £1.6 million. Rental prices for similar units range from £3,200 to £5,500 per month depending on building amenities and view.
These prices are considerably higher than the London average, reflecting the street's position in the heart of the West End, with easy access to entertainment, shopping, and transport hubs.
Transport Links
London Underground Stations
The nearest station is Tottenham Court Road Station, located just a short walk away. This station is served by the Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines, offering excellent connectivity across the capital. Also nearby are Holborn Station (Central and Piccadilly lines) and Covent Garden Station (Piccadilly line).
Bus Services
Several bus routes pass through or stop near St Giles High Street. Bus stops are located at Tottenham Court Road and High Holborn, with services linking the area to destinations across London, including the City, Camden Town, and Waterloo.
Fun Fact
During the 18th century, St Giles High Street was the starting point for condemned prisoners being transported in a cart from Newgate Prison to the gallows at Tyburn (now near Marble Arch). Tradition held that the prisoners were given a final drink at the Bowl Inn on St Giles High Street before their journey.
Quick Facts
- Location: Connects High Holborn to Denmark Street in the City of Westminster
- Nearby Areas: Soho, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road
- Pronunciation: /sənt ˈdʒaɪlz/ ("sent JYLES")
- Key Landmark: St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
- Nearest Underground: Tottenham Court Road Station (Central, Northern, Elizabeth lines)
- Real Estate (2025): £950,000+ for 1-bed flats; Rentals from £3,200/month
- Bus Stops: Located along Tottenham Court Road and High Holborn
- Historic Note: Once site of St Giles Rookery and part of the execution procession route
Map of St Giles High Street, London
Painting of St Giles High Street
Painting of St Giles High Street
St Giles High Street, London
Page Details
This page was created on 29 June 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.Moving to London?
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