* “Nancy’s Steps” – London Bridge…….the literary stairway, that isn’t actually what it purports to be

Last week my London Shoes took a trek out down to London Bridge – for the purposes of covering a topic that is, in reality……….‘ a complete and utter lie’ !!!!

There’s been a river crossing at the site of the current London Bridge since 43AD. There’s been several different London Bridge’s throughout the centuries – however – there are still a couple of small remnants of past structures in situ, they have survived reconstructions – and it is one of these remnants that London Shoes went to track down.

Hidden away down in Tooley Street, can be found a small set of stone steps that lead up to London Bridge on the southern banks of the River Thames.

This small stairway is known as…….. “Nancy’s Steps”.

They are called Nancy’s Steps as they are the site where Nancy meets her fate at the hands of Bill Sykes, in the globally famous 1838 published Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist” .

This interesting literary historic info MUST be right – because there are 2 commemorative plaques on display near to Nancy’s Steps, that confirm the fact.

However – its not true, its a complete lie – all the tourists seeking out these steps, and all the viewers of these plaques …..have all been conned !!!

The literary reality is that, in Charles Dickens book ‘Oliver Twist’, Nancy was bludgeoned to death by Bill Sykes, at home in a room that they shared – not on a set of steps leading up from Tooley Street onto London Bridge.

However – the steps do play a significant part in the Dickens novel, because they are where Nancy meets up in secret with the people that want to remove Oliver Twist from the ‘streets’ and the terrible influence of Fagin and Bill Sykes.

In the book, whilst Nancy is informing Oliver’s redeemers of his whereabouts, she is unaware that one of Fagin’s spies was hiding around the corner of the steps, listening in on the conversation – and it is this informant who runs off to tell Bill Sykes what he’s witnessed and heard – and it is that info that prompts Sykes to murder Nancy upon her return home.

Charles Dickens was always very precise when describing London locations in his books – and he details these steps  as being ‘on the Surrey bank and on the same side of London Bridge as St. Saviour’s Church (eg Southwark Cathedral)

It is however – the 1968 blockbuster, record breaking film “Oliver” that ‘twists’ (geddit) the original story somewhat, and has poor old Nancy brutally clubbed to death by the evil Bill Sykes – on the steps of London Bridge…..and that is how the staircase is inaccurately known as “Nancy’s Steps” – a set of steps that have absolutely nothing to do with her fate in Dickens ‘Oliver Twist’.

So – the moral of the story is…..don’t always believe what you read on a commemorative plaque.

Having uncovered the truth about Nancy’s Steps, my London Shoes headed off in search of a place for a quick liquid refreshment, before setting off back home – and ended up at the fascinating and interestingly unique “Counting House” pub, located at no.50 Cornhill in the centre of the City of London.

The building was built in 1893 – and its foundations sit on a 2,000 year old Roman Basilica Wall.

Its was opened as Prescott’s Bank – and in 1918 became the National Provincial Bank – then in 1970 it became a National Westminster Bank branch – and from 1998, it has been a ‘Fullers’ pub.

The Counting House pub has done a brilliant job in trying to retain its old Victorian features and fixtures – and, in my opinion, is an extremely comfy environment to have a few beers – I certainly enjoyed my ‘cheeky’ one there – would thoroughly recommend it.

Anyway – hope you found my tale about the fraud that is “Nancy’s Steps” interesting, and enjoyed its accompanying photos.

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See below the full Gallery of photos taken to support this “Nancy’s Steps” blog

The blue plaque on display at the foot of the ‘Nancy Steps’ in Tooley Street, that lead up to the southern bank of London Bridge

A view of the little know Nancy Step’s in Tooley Street – that lead up to the southern bank of London Bridge

Me – at the top of the Nancy Step’s

A long range view, looking down on the ‘Nancy Steps’ (and blue plaque) – leading up from Tooley Street to the southern start of London Bridge

Charles Dickens “Oliver Twist” first published in 1838

Another (incorrect) commemorative plaque on display close to “Nancy’s Step’s” that lead up to the southern approach to London Bridge

An illustration from an early edition of the Charles Dickens “Oliver Twist” – which shows that Nancy’s Steps was actually where Nancy speaks in secret to Oliver’s benefactor, about the whereabouts of young Oliver. The conversation was overheard and the info relayed back to Bill Sykes – who then clubbed Nancy to death in their bedroom m- NOT on the Nancy Steps in Tooley .

A closer view of Nancy’s Steps – leading up from Tooley Street onto the southern banks of London Bridge

A closer view of Nancy’s Steps – leading up from Tooley Street onto the southern banks of London Bridge

The epic film “Oliver” – released in 1968 – breaking all box office records at that time – and still regularly being shown on TV

A ‘still’ from the 1968 blockbuster film “Oliver” – showing Nancy (played by Shani Wallis) & Bill Sykes (played by Oliver Reed). The film see’s Nancy murdered by Bill Sykes on steps leading up from Tooley Street to London Bridge…..which is a lie, as in the actual book, she’s murdered in a room she shares with Bill Sykes

An illustration from an early edition of Charles Dickens “Oliver Twist” – that shows how Nancy met her fate at the hands of Bill Sykes. In a room, and not on the steps of London Bridge – as the commemorative plaques displayed on the bridge state

Views from London Bridge

Me – using other steps, rather than Nancy’s ones – on London Bridge

View of London Bridge

On London Bridge

Views from London Bridge

Views from London Bridge

Views from London Bridge

A more unusual view of London Bridge

Me – alongside London Bridge

The “Counting House” pub – at 50 Cornhill in the City of London. Built in 1893, it had been a Bank since 1918 – and now a Pub since 1998

Inside the former Bank – that is now the Counting House pub

Inside the former Bank – that is now the Counting House pub

Me – necking down a ‘cheeky’ beer in the “Counting House” pub – Cornhill-London EC1