What's the Story Behind London's Frying Pan Alley?

Frying Pan Alley in Spitalfields is one of London's quirkiest street names... yet at one time, the name was very common indeed: in the 18th and 19th centuries, there were at least 18 Frying Pan Alleys dotted throughout London!

In this video, we'll be looking into the origin of the term 'Frying Pan Alley', and I'll also show you the approximate location of six other former Frying Pan Alleys which I've been able to find some evidence of.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:14 Where does the term 'Frying Pan Alley' come from?
02:31 Frying Pan Alley, Clerkenwell
06:03 Borough's Three Frying Pan Alleys
08:40 Frying Pan Alley, Lambeth
09:50 Frying Pan Alley, Barnes
10:58 Frying Pan Alley, Spitalfields
15:28 Outro

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Links for this video:

Spitalfields Market

Borough Market

Jack Solomon's Bar

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Music:

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Apocalyptic Echoes (Jimena Contreras)

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Whole Tone Limbo (Godmode)

Goddess of the Sea (Jimena Contreras)

A Night Alone (TrackTribe)

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[jakeandrews-izwf]

Give this man his own television series. As always, thanks so much for all your hard work.

[leslieaustin]

Ah! Bennett’s of Frying Pan Alley, I’d forgotten Mr Bennett. His adverts used to appear every month in ‘Angling’ magazine - a far better journal than anything published today. And Bennett’s adverts were equally tasteful and filled with gentle humour. Thanks for a very interesting video. Les

[butchknapman]

Rob, there are so many channels on YouTube that are complete rubbish . Yours will never fall into that category . Yet again, another feast of interest with amazing detail,
Only a week ago, I was wandering the streets and passage ways of the city out as far as Liverpool Street Station so close yet so far away from this excellent video

[MazSwanboroughSmith]

Thanks Rob, I had no idea there were so many Frying Pan Alleys in London and I also didn’t know what the name meant. Your knowledge knows no bounds! 😊❤

[citizen]

I remember London before it was gentrified & i miss it. I'm so grateful for historians. 🙏❤

[JaneAustenAteMyCat]

Goodness that took me back. My husband and I had coffee somewhere around there when we were on our honeymoon. I hadn't remembered it in years! I have a photo of him somewhere. It was a really good photo. I'll have to dig it out.

[philrougier]

Out of the frying pan and into one of Rob’s splendid documentaries… 🍳🍳🍳

You bring the streets of London to life every time 👌👌👌

[Glamrockqueen]

Don't think I have ever caught one of your videos before. I really enjoyed this. Your diction is clear, you enunciated your words, didn't rush the subject. Accent is lovely. Thank you x

[Britoverseas]

Fascinating documentary Rob. The diversity of your productions never ceases to amaze me. Your research library appears to be endless. Thanks for such interesting content. Lance

[BritInvLvr]

As I was weeding my garden yesterday, I thought it would be cool if someone posted videos about their town. London was the first place I thought of. And voila, here we are. New subscriber.

[videosfromelsewhere]

This content is far superior to anything I've ever seen in the mainstream media. Please keep up the good work. This sort of well-researched content is needed to educate future generations and help them avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

[paulbennett]

I've been watching your vids for some years. I'm a NE lad, now returned to my home town, but I spent a lot of time in London, living in Pimlico, working as a taxi dispatcher in Hammersmith, and other jobs elsewhere. I know London probably as well as a Londoner half my age of 71.
So much for history: I've subscribed - long overdue, I concede - because of a continuing fascination with our capital city.
Thanx for what you do; long may you do it ❤

[garybrockwell]

Another great journey Thanks.
I myself am just another LONDONER 🇬🇧💯🆘 With a HARDENED INDIFFERENCE 🤕🎬🙏👍
CHEERS MATE💪🤩🥇🇬🇧

Wow! Amazing video. I lived in Frying Pan Alley Spitalfields for a brief period several years ago. Given it was so close to Liverpool street, it was pretty quiet really, the only footfall was for the Hummingbird Bakery! To think of all that had happened there, fascinating and disconcerting all at once!

[jasonsmart]

Love the endless stories of the history of our city London. Oh to have a time machine and just go back for a day to experience.

[annereidy]

That was an emotional journey Rob and I agree, so glad to be living in the relative comfort of the present. Thank you, this is a gem.

[JL-jrgk]

Thanks for the videos, a lot of fascinating facts about London

[Joncl]

It’s good to have such a balance of subjects - your videos zip by because they’re so interesting and absorbing.

[jenteale]

I live in the US now, but my roots are from the ration-era of1950's Manchester.
Thank you very much for your excellent videos. With gratitude and love
❤

[missmuffet]

Rob your videos are so interesting. You are definitely one of the best social historians on YouTube by a country mile. ❤