Hercules Road
Hercules Road runs north from Lambeth Road near Lambeth Palace, on the site of Penlington Place, in the London Borough of Lambeth, south London, England.[1][2]
The road is named after Hercules Hall, which was built by and was the home of Philip Astley (1742–1814), riding instructor, horse-trainer, and acknowledged as the inventor of the modern circus.[3] Performing nearby in an open field behind the present site of St John's Church, Waterloo, Astley realised the advantages of riding in a circle, and thus invented the circus ring. He was a principal among the many performers who made Lambeth a popular entertainment resort at that time.
Historically, Hercules Road is most well known for a former resident, the poet and visionary artist William Blake (1757–1827), who lived in a large house, 13 Hercules Buildings, and his address was Mr Blake Engraver, Hercules Buildings, Westminster Bridge.[4][5] There is a series of mosaics inspired by Blake in a tunnel nearby.[6] The site is marked with a plaque.
Hercules Road was a location for the film Passport to Pimlico.[7]
The Pineapple public house is located at 53–55 Hercules Road.[8]
Gallery
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View on Hercules Road. -
William Blake Estate building on Hercules Road. -
Plaque on William Blake Estate building in Hercules Road, marking the location of the artist and poet William Blake's former house. -
Railway arches on Hercules Road.
References
- ^ Weinreb, Ben; Hibbert, Christopher, eds. (1983). "Hercules Road". The London Encyclopædia. London: Macmillan. p. 374.
- ^ "Hercules Road". Lonson SE1 Community Website. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ The book of days: A miscellany of popular antiquities in connection with the calendar, including anecdote, biography, & history, curiosities of literature and oddities of human life and character p.474. W. & R. Chambers, 1864
- ^ Blake by Peter Ackroyd, 1996, Vintage, ISBN 0749391766
- ^ "William Blake's House, Hercules Road, Lambeth".
- ^ 10 things to know about William Blake, BBC London, UK.
- ^ "Reel Streets".
- ^ The Pineapple, London SE1.
51°29′48″N 0°06′53″W / 51.49667°N 0.11472°W
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