The other day, my London Shoes trotted off to the Soho district of London’s West End for the specific purpose of visiting a particular alleyway that has a load of history behind it – namely:-
“WALKER’S COURT” – LONDON W1
Walker’s Court is a small narrow pedestrian alleyway in the heart of Soho, that joins Berwick Street with Brewer Street.
Records show that its origins date way back to the beginning of the 1700’s – at a time when that particular part of London was quite a well-to-do area.
However – by the end of the 1700’s the pubs/taverns/music halls attracted many out-of-town folk to the area for a good old night out on the town and all that goes with it – which gradually gave Soho a reputation for being a rough and seedy part of town. In fact, by the 1770’s the areas first brothels were up and running in the streets surrounding Soho Square.
The area’s reputation didn’t get much better throughout the 1800’s when its cheap theatres / dingy drinking dens / sleazy entertainment – all mixed in with the arty types who frequented the Soho streets. It was very much one of the poorer run-down part of London.
Things didn’t change much as time progressed through the 1900’s – although there were loads of what you’d call ‘normal’ shops and businesses – by the 1960’s Soho was notorious throughout Britain, as being London’s centre of sleaze – with its illegal gambling dens / sex shops / gangsters / strip clubs / illegal drinking dens / adult book shops / protection rackets / peep shows / sex workers / adult cinemas and prostitution – activities which encouraged a lot of ‘visitors’ to ‘Red Light District’ as it was commonly referred to.
I do have a personal connection to Soho as between the years of 1974 to 1978 I worked the Barclays Bank branch in Wardour Street at the heart of the Soho district. I was aged just 17 when I started working there, and at that time Soho still had a very dodgy reputation about it – there were still ‘adult’ shops scattered throughout its streets – still the strip clubs / adult cinemas and still loads of what were referred to as “Soho Walk-Up’s” ie rooms above the shops where prostitutes used to ply their trade, so to speak.
I was by no means naive or innocent, I knew what’s what – but working in Soho for those 4yrs from the age of 17 to 21, and witnessing everything that was going on around me and experiencing the ‘vibe’ of the area – certainly educated me on the more seedier and grubby side of life. (As Lou Reed once said “Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side)
Getting back to “Walker’s Court” – it was once bang in the middle of Soho’s red-light district and as a result, it gained the nickname ‘Sex Alley’.
1958 saw the opening “The Raymond Revuebar” located at the southern end of Walker’s Court.
The Raymond Revuebar was basically a ‘high end’ strip club set up and owned by ‘Paul Raymond’ who was commonly referred to as the ‘King of Soho’.
For several years, the Raymond Revuebar was the only venue in London that offered full-frontal nudity on-stage – on a par with the similar clubs that existed in European cities. Its huge brightly lit neon signs on its exterior walls, declaring it to be the “World Centre of Erotic Entertainment”– made the Raymond Revuebar a well-known London landmark.
However, by the 1980’s the ‘vibe’ of the Soho area began to gradually change – and there were a number of reasons for that.
Firstly – much stricter by-laws and licensing laws were introduced by Westminster Council / there was a constant police crackdown on any businesses or persons that were operating illegally in the area / a ‘Soho Society’ was formed (in 1972) to help ‘clean-up’ Soho and its reputation.
By the late 1990’s the number of ‘adult’ shops and similar establishments had reduced considerably–and that reduction continues to this day–although there are still a few of those types of places around – in fact there are 2 situated in Walker’s Court.
These changing trends/attitudes and continual redevelopment projects throughout the Soho district, eventually saw the legendary Raymond Revuebar go into liquidation and then close for good in 2004. Despite all the changes that have taken place down Walker’s Court and its surroundings – the original Raymond Revuebar signage is still in situ – on full view to those passing through or nearby Walker’s Court.
Today – Walker’s Court is still as busy as it ever was – a much used cut-through from the end of Berwick Street into Rupert Street and Brewer Street.
Emerging from the southern end of Walker’s Court, my London Shoes took the opportunity to have a quick wander down Rupert Street and to one of Soho’s historic little alleyways, namely ‘Rupert Court’.
The reason why I wanted to pop down to Rupert Court was to do a little bit of ‘Then & Now’ coz Shoes luvs a bit of that.
Way back in 1963 on the very cusp of Beatlemania – the ‘Fab Four’ did what’s now become a famous photoshoot in Rupert Court – at the same time, another now famous photo was taken of them standing alongside a fruit and veg stall at the top of Rupert Street, directly opposite the southern end of Walker’s Court. So – my London Shoes tried (its best) to replicate those 2 now historic photos of John / Paul / George / Ringo.
So – having taken all the photos I wanted of Walker’s Court and having pounded a few of the Soho pavements surrounding it, my London Shoes made their way northwards down Berwick Street, and through its market stalls, in search of some liquid sustenance.
Berwick Street Market was once a very popular and extremely busy street market, that specialised in fruit & veg – however, in today’s world, it is full of pop-up fast food stalls – very popular with all the local office workers.
Berwick Street offers another ‘Then & Now’ photo opportunity – as half way down it is the spot where the cover of the 1995 Oasis album “(What’s the story) Morning Glory” was taken – and at any time of day you will find folk standing in the middle of the Berwick Street road, attempting to replicate that album cover.
At the end of the Berwick Street Market site stands the famous ‘Blue Posts’ pub. There are actually a few ‘Blue Post’ named pubs in London – that are believed to be named after ‘blue posts’ that marked out spaces where ‘sedan chairs’ were allowed to park up whilst waiting for a punter – a sort of taxi rank of its day. However – there is another school of thought that believes these ‘blue posts’ were actually district ‘boundary markers’.
Anyway – what ever the origins of ‘blue posts’ there has been a pub on the current Berwick Street site since the mid 1700’s.
The pub was completely rebuilt in 1914 – and many of its internal fixtures & fittings from that period still remain in situ.
On the external walls of the pub there’s a commemorative green plaque on an external wall – plus photos and memorabilia inside, relating to famous British actress ‘Jessie Matthews’ who was born in Berwick Street and apparently took her first dance lessons upstairs at the pub.
Today, the pub is popular with both locals and tourists – and was the ideal place for my London Shoes to enjoy a couple of ‘cheeky’ ones. I used to frequent the ‘Blue Posts’ pub in Berwick Street now and again, when I worked just down the road in Wardour Street between 1974-1978 – and I can honestly say the place hasn’t changed one bit – I’m sure it’s the very same carpet as was back then!!!
Anyway – that’s “Walker’s Court” for you – another addition to the popular London Shoes category of “London’s Historic & Notorious Alleyways+Passages” – hope you enjoyed the read and the accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos/images taken to accompany this blog article
“Walker’s Court” London W1 as viewed from the end of Berwick Street and across Peter Street (2026)
Walker’s Court is a small narrow pedestrian alleyway in the heart of Soho, that joins Berwick Street with Brewer Street and Rupert Street
Records show that Walker’s Court origins date way back to the beginning of the 1700’s – at a time when that particular part of London was quite a well-to-do area.
By the end of the 1700’s the pubs/taverns/music halls attracted many out-of-town folk to the area for a good old night out on the town and all that goes with it – which gradually gave Soho a reputation for being a rough and seedy part of town.
By the 1770’s the areas first brothels were up and running.
The area’s reputation didn’t get much better throughout the 1800’s when its cheap theatres / dingy drinking dens / sleezy entertainment – all mixed in with the arty types who frequented the Soho streets. It was very much one of the poorer run-down part of London.
As time progressed through the 1900’s and by the 1960’s Soho was notorious as being London’s centre of sleaze – with its illegal gambling dens / sex shops / gangsters / strip clubs / illegal drinking dens / adult book shops / protection rackets / peep shows / sex workers / adult cinemas and prostitution – activities which encouraged a lot of ‘visitors’ to its ‘red light district’ as it was referred to
A photo of Walker’s Court in the late 1950’s
Throughout the 1970’s there were still ‘adult’ shops scattered throughout Soho’s streets – still the strip clubs / adult cinemas and still loads of what were referred to as “Soho Walk-Up’s” ie rooms above the shops where prostitutes used to ply their trade, so to speak
An old b&w photo of Walker’s Court in the 1960’s
In its 1960’s/70’s heyday – “Walker’s Court” was bang in the middle of Soho’s red-light district and as a result, it gained the nickname ‘Sex Alley’.
A photo of Walker’s Court in the late 1960’s
Between the years 1974 to 1978 (aged 17 to 21) I used to work in Wardour Street in the heart of the Soho district between the years of 1974 to 1978 aged from 17 to 21 – and even at that time Soho still had a very dodgy reputation as there were still plenty of ‘adult’ shops scattered throughout its streets – still the strip clubs / adult cinemas and still loads of what were referred to as “Soho Walk-Up’s” (ie rooms above the shops where prostitutes used to ‘operate’)
By the late 1990’s the number of ‘adult’ shops and similar establishments had reduced considerably – and that reduction continues to this day – although there are still a few of those types of places around and in fact there are 2 situated in Walker’s Court.
The southern end of Walker’s Court – leading out onto Brewer Street and into Rupert Street.
Me & my London Shoes – in Walker’s Court
Walker’s Court – (2026)
Walker’s Court – (2026)
Views of Walker’s Court (2026)
Me & my London Shoes amongst the establishments of Walker’s Court – London W1
Walker’s Court – (2026)
A now privately owned walkway passage that joins one side of Walker’s Court to the other. This walkway was once part of the Raymond Revuebar
Me & my London Shoes – down Walker’s Court, underneath the walkway that was once part of the Raymond Revuebar building.
Walker’s Court – (2026)
1958 saw the opening “The Raymond Revuebar” located at the southern end of Walker’s Court. The Raymond Revuebar was basically a ‘high end’ strip club set up and owned by ‘Paul Raymond’ who was commonly referred to as the ‘King of Soho’.
The Raymond Revuebar was the only venue in London that offered full-frontal nudity on-stage – on a par with the similar clubs that existed in European cities.
The Raymond Revuebar at Walker’s Court – a major London landmark in its heyday (the 1960’s/70’s)
As times and attitudes changed, the legendary Raymond Revuebar eventually went into liquidation and then close for good in 2004. Despite all the changes that have taken place down Walker’s Court and its surroundings – the original Raymond Revuebar building frontage and signage is still in situ – on full view to those passing through or nearby Walker’s Court. (Walker’s Court arrowed – with the old Raymond Revuebar building to the left of it)
The old Raymond Revuebar venue building frontage and some of its signage is still in situ and on full view to those passing through or nearby Walker’s Court. (arrowed)
The view from the southern end of Walker’s Court – looking across Brewer Street and down into Rupert Street.
Emerging from the southern end of Walker’s Court, my London Shoes took the opportunity to have a quick wander down Rupert Street
A view looking back at Walker’s Court – from Rupert Street – there is a significance to this view……..>>>
A still from a 1963 photoshoot of the Beatles at the corner of Rupert Street and Brewer Street – looking towards Walker’s Court
Me & my London Shoes doing a 2026 ‘Then & Now’ – at the same spot as the 1963 Beatles photo
Whilst in Rupert Street my London Shoes visited one of Soho’s historic little alleyways, namely ‘Rupert Court’.
The little alleyway that is ‘Rupert Court’ – down in Rupert Street
Rupert Court – a narrow alleyway down in Rupert Street
The reason why I wanted to pop down to Rupert Court was to do a little bit of ‘Then & Now’ coz Shoes luvs a bit of that.
Way back in 1963 on the very cusp of Beatlemania – the ‘Fab Four’ did what’s now become a famous photoshoot in Rupert Court
Me & my London Shoes doing a bit of ‘Then & Now’ in Rupert Court – trying to replicate the famous Beatles photo taken down there in 1963
Having taken all the photos I wanted of Walker’s Court and having pounded a few of the Soho pavements surrounding it, my London Shoes made their way northwards down Berwick Street, and through its market stalls, in search of some liquid sustenance.
Berwick Street – a very busy street deep in the heart of Soho
Berwick Street offers another ‘Then & Now’ photo opportunity – as half way down it is the spot where the cover of the 1995 Oasis album “(What’s the story) Morning Glory” was taken
At any time of day you will find folk standing in the middle of the Berwick Street road, attempting to replicate that album cover. This is my London Shoes attempt at trying to get the exact spot.
Berwick Street Market was once a very popular and extremely busy street mar-ket, that specialised in fruit & veg – however, in today’s world, it is full of pop-up fast food stalls – very popular with all the local office workers.
Berwick Street Market was once a very popular and extremely busy street mar-ket, that specialised in fruit & veg – however, in today’s world, it is full of pop-up fast food stalls – very popular with all the local office workers.
Me & my London Shoes – alongside Berwick Street market
Berwick Street – Soho – was originally laid out in 1703
At the end of the Berwick Street market site stands the famous ‘Blue Posts’ pub.
There has been a pub on the current Berwick Street ‘Blue Posts’ site since the mid 1700’s.
There are a few ‘Blue Post’ named pubs in London’s Soho area – they are believed to be named after ‘blue posts’ that once marked out spaces where ‘sedan chairs’ were allowed to park up whilst waiting for a punter – a sort of taxi rank of its day. However – there is another school of thought that believes these ‘blue posts’ were actually district ‘boundary markers’.
The ‘Blue Posts’ pub – Berwick Street-London W1
On the external walls of the pub there’s a commemorative green plaque on an external wall – plus photos and memorabilia inside, relating to famous British ac-tress ‘Jessie Matthews’ who was born in Berwick Street and apparently took her first dance lessons upstairs at the pub.
Actress ‘Jessie Matthews’ – born in Berwick Street way back in 1907
Today, the ‘Blue Posts’ pub in Berwick Street is popular with both locals and tourists – and was the ideal place for my London Shoes to enjoy a couple of ‘cheeky’ ones.
I used to frequent the ‘Blue Posts’ pub in Berwick Street when I worked just down the road in Wardour Street between 1974-1978 – and I’m sure it’s the very same carpet as was back then!!!
Inside the ‘Blue Posts’ pub – Berwick Street – London W1
A luverlee pint of the ‘black stuff’ just begging to be consumed – in the ‘Blue Posts’ pub – Berwick Street London W1
Me & my London Shoes enjoying a refreshing ‘cheeky’ Guinness in the ‘Blue Posts’ pub in Berwick Street – following an enjoyable day pounding the pavements of Walker’s Court and its surrounding streets.
Another really interesting post, Geoff, though it does concern me that you seem to know so much about the seedier side of Soho life…… sign of a mis-spent youth? 🤣
I must admit I never knew that Jessie Matthews was born and raised in Soho and though the peak of her career was a little before even MY time, I do recall that in her latter years she did take on the role of Mrs Dale in the extremely popular BBC Radio programme, Mrs Dale’s Diary when the original actress was apparently sacked in 1963. Jessie played the role until the programme itself was axed in 1969.
What was The Raymond Revuebar is now a nightclub called The Box, though you have to be in the know to find it as they have never put a sign outside and in fact it looks as though it’s closed up but it’s not. Next to that is the Boulevard theatre which is a new build on the site of Paul Raymond’s former Boulevard theatre and is owned by his granddaughters (who also own the Box but lease it out). Opposite The Box in Walkers Court is where a new strip club will open called The Penthouse and bizarrely doesn’t exactly fit the name as it’ll be several floors underground and will be occupying the space that was originally the drag nightclub Madam Jo Jo’s which originally had it’s entrance on Brewer St. Sadly the hugely expensive rebuild of Jo Jo’s adding a large stage and auditorium was done but the reopening dropped in favour of the strip club
Spent….many…many….many nights in the sex shops of Soho. It’s pretty vanilla these days.
What about Peter Street 🤔
Takes me back a bit Geoff. Great info. I can remember my Dad being a member at Raymond’s back in the 60s. 👍
I will say as always “Fascinating post!” 👍
Interesting place, and a trip down memory lane for you!!
So much history in London that we all take for granted and actually know very little about.
A good read which may have put future visitor figures to the area up!!
A great nephew, very street wise and the black sheep of the family, told me of his running a Soho shop selling pornographic magazines etc.
One day an individual came in and enquired had he had some more hardcore ‘erotic’ literature than that on display.
He confirmed that he had, in a back room.
At which point the individual, who was of course in plain clothes, announced he was a police officer and that he would be heavily fined (£2,000!?) with the threat of closure hanging over his head.
He had to contact the Eastern European owner to pay the fine. An occupational hazard no doubt as rich pickings were still to be made.
I grew up at a time when gangsters, some Maltese, ran the seedier side of Soho.
It was a pitfall for the naïve, inexperienced, and unsophisticated.
It is of course right that the area has been cleaned up.
But might some of that edginess that made Soho ‘special’ have disappeared with it too?
Nevertheless Soho is still a village and any of us prepared to keep our ears and eyes open, to see past the neon and the tourists, can be witness to entertaining exchanges that confirm that.
Great photos, thanks for sharing
Good stuff.
I was based around the corner at St Anne’s Court, 1966/68 for a film company.
The street scene always lively with a sort of stale curry smell in those narrow Court’s!
Again fabulous information on such a interesting area of London when my dad found out my friend and I went down there one night to see all the action Did not end well for me Hahahahah