Betterton Street offers a view of some private C18th houses in the centre of London – a rare sight, since they have most been pulled down to make way for office blocks or shops. The street was originally called Brownlow Street, after the wealthy merchant James Brownlow who lived here in the home now called 'Brownlow House'. The street was renamed in honour of a 17th century actor called Thomas Betterton, who acted at another theatre in Drury Lane in the 1650s – the Cockpit Theatre. He continued to act into old age, appearing alongside the female star of her generation, Mrs Bracegirdle. Betterton Street leads us neatly into Endell Street. Perhaps Charles Dickens was passing here - on his way to drink at the Lamb & Flag pub - and borrowed Brownlow's name, and his lovely house, for the philanthropist who saves Oliver Twist.