Endell Street was originally built in 1845, as a street to provide housing to the local poor. It was a Victorian era social project conceived by Sir James Pennethorne. However, there is nothing poor about Endell Street today – one of the most thriving streets of the Covent Garden Area.
Something you don't see immediately, is that there is a large open-air swimming pool in Endell Street. The Oasis Baths, at 32 Endell Street, are a rebuilt version of public baths originally built in the C19th. Another excellent point about them is that they are still in civic ownership, and run by the London Borough of Camden – which means they are operated on a non-commercial basis, and are not expensive to use. No membership is needed either.
The Cross Keys Pub, at 31 Endell Street, is not only a historic traditional London pub – it's a remarkable attraction in its own right, and a regular winner of the “Best Pub” awards. Famous people have drunk at the Cross Keys for years, and if you go in to take a look – and perhaps enjoy something eat and drink – you'll find that among the bizarre and eclectic decorations on the walls are memorabilia from past visitors that include Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Yet it's not a rock'n'roll pub at all. The owner is a prominent collector of antiques and curiosities, and he uses his pub to share his collection with the public – including a brass diver's helmet, stuffed fish, old kettles, and rare Victorian paintings. The owners are not dismayed by the trendy nature of Covent Garden, however – they believe that there will always be people wanting to escape from the insanity of the fashion, music and theatre worlds, and seek solace in the comfortable atmosphere, delicious food and traditional ales available in a real English pub.
The Cross Keys makes a perfect place to start or end your Covent Garden walk, over a relaxing lunch in a traditional London atmosphere that's 100% authentic, and is not a modern imitation or theme pub. It's a free house, and has never been rebuilt by a beer company. The range of special ales on offer is always splendid. But the location – on the Northern borders of Covent Garden – makes it an ideal launching point to reach other places before or after visiting Covent Garden. It's just a short walk from here to the British Museum, for example.