Holborn Circus

Holborn Circus
Holborn Circus pictured in 2012
Map
Location
London, United Kingdom
Coordinates51°31′03″N 0°06′27″W / 51.5176°N 0.1075°W / 51.5176; -0.1075
Roads at
junction
High Holborn (eastern part also named Holborn Viaduct); Hatton Garden, Charterhouse Street, New Fetter Lane,
Construction
TypeIntersection
Opened1867; 157 years ago (1867)

Holborn Circus is a five-way junction at the western extreme of the City of London, specifically between Holborn (St Andrew) and its Hatton Garden (St Alban) part.[1] Its main, east–west, route is the inchoate A40 road. It was designed by the engineer William Haywood and opened in 1867.[2] The term circus describes how the frontages of the buildings facing curved round in a concave chamfer. These, in part replaced with glass and metal-clad buildings, remain well set back.

The place was described in Charles Dickens' Dictionary of London (1879) as "perhaps... the finest piece of street architecture in the City".

  1. ^ Map of Holborn St Alban
  2. ^ "Holborn Circus, London". The Victorian Society. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2013.