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Whilst watching TV or reading a good book we often find ourselves immersing in the fictional world of our favourite characters, thinking about what life would be like to be part of their own little made-up world. Whether this is associated with soap operas or cinematic masterpieces, there’s certain streets that we’ve become extremely familiar with, almost as though we have lived it ourselves — but what are some of the most known? Here are some of Britain’s most famous fictional streets…
We were first introduced to this fictional street in the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling way back in 1997 (Where did those 20 years go??
Located in Surrey, this street was home to the (in my eyes – evil) Dursley family, which included Vernon, Petunia, and their son Dudley, who all lived at “number 4 Privet Drive.”
In 1981, we all remember that this perfectly normal street became slightly more interesting as Mr & Mrs Dursley’s nephew, Harry Potter, was left on their doorstep by one of the greatest wizards of all time, Albus Dumbledore. Harry’s parents were tragically murdered by “he who shall not be named” – Lord Voldemort.
The suburban style street consists of typical “boxy”, detached houses with gardens at the front and back — each quite identical in design. The name of the street came from a privet bush, which is a hedge that isolates houses as Rowling herself thought this linked quite well as the Dursley’s had a desire to segregate themselves from the Wizarding World — despite having strong family ties.
If you wish to visit Privet Lane you can do so by heading to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London to see the film set in real life. Sometimes, they open the interior of the house to the public so make sure you check ahead of visiting, although we know you’ll be just as pleased posing next to the vintage street sign! The real home that was used in the first film recently made headlines after being put on the market for almost £500,000! (Cripes!)
Based in the fictional town of Weatherfield in Salford, Coronation Street has definitely been a firm favourite for the British public after viewers were graced with its presence on our screens for the first time way back in 1960 on ITV. The street is thought to have been built in 1902 and it consisted of one row of seven terraced houses with the iconic Rovers Return Inn and corner shop at each end.
The programme itself has been home to many, many dramas over the years and it’s deserving of it’s title as the longest-running soap opera in the world.
Due to its popularity over the decades, writers have had to introduce new characters and locations to create a more representative environment for viewers at home to relate with. Today, you’ll still find the iconic Rovers Return Inn and D&S Alahan’s corner shop, but The Kabin news agents, Roy’s Rolls café, and lingerie-making business “Underworld” have all been added to the well-known street over the years.
Some of the most iconic storylines include the ‘Free the Weatherfield One’ campaign where Deirdre Rachid was given an 18-month sentence for crimes that she didn’t commit to Hayley Cropper née Harold Patterson becoming the first transgender character on the show. There’re a lot of storylines that made a significant impact on the British public that still live on almost 60 years later which is probably why it has stood the test of time.
If you fancy walking down the famous cobbles yourself, you can book yourself on to an outdoor street tour, that take place on the weekends. Located at MediaCityUK in Manchester, the 80-minute tour also includes the set of Rosamund Street and the never-before-seen Victoria Street!
You’ll probably be more than familiar with Cherry Tree Lane, especially if you recently visited the cinema to see Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns! This fictional street was brought in to our live back in 1934, when author P.L. Travers released the first book of the now very-famous Mary Poppins series. The street is most notably home to the Banks family, who lived at number 17 and has been passed down to each generation.
There’s been a number of remarkable and magical events that have occurred on this street, and of course Mary Poppins initial landing is one of them. What else makes this place supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is that it’s also home to Admiral Boom and Mr. Binnacle, who were once members of England’s navy and keep their house in ‘shipshape’ — with an actual ship on the roof which fires a cannon twice a day! (Can you imagine the noise complaints?!) As well as this, there are countless chimney sweepers and path illustrators to entertain!
Although there doesn’t seem to be a specific location for where Cherry Tree Lane could be in the world, it’s thought that Travers based her vision off townhouses in Kensington or her own home on Smith Street in Chelsea — which can be identified with an English Heritage plaque outside.
Home to everyone’s favourite detective, Sherlock Holmes, 221b Baker Street is where be both lived and worked. Although you may need to wear your deerstalker cap to find it, as the building is strangely located between 237 and 241. Penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock has become one of the most influential literary characters associated with British culture to this day.
Today, the address actually functions as a museum, which is open every day from 9.30am to 6pm and costs adults £15 and children under 16 £10. You’ll be able to explore the home Sherlock shared with his main companion, Dr Watson — including the sitting room, the laboratory, the iconic study and more.
You may be surprised to read that when the stories were first published, though the street itself wasn’t fictional, the address ‘221b Baker Street’ certainly was as the addresses in Baker Street did not go as high as 221 — but this was soon extended. The Abbey National Building Society occupied the addresses 219-229 from 1931 and had to employ a full-time secretary to answer mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes! There was a 15-year dispute on who should receive the letters though, the building society or the museum.
Okay, another Harry Potter inspired street that we have all come to love, but the reason I have included this magical, wizarding street is because the inspiration for this world-famous alley, has been said to have been “conjured up” (get it) from visiting my very own hometown of York. The Shambles played a huge part in creating J.K Rowling’s vision of Diagon Alley when she was writing the Harry Potter titles.
Although you will find that most of the filming of Diagon Alley was based in Oxford & London, it doesn’t take long for someone to realise that the Shamble’s in York are it’s true home! You can even visit the Harry Potter shop’s if you’re feeling particularly “witchy!”
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