Ironmonger Lane

Ironmonger Lane is a narrow, one-way street in the City of London running southbound between Gresham Street and Cheapside.

Ironmonger Lane has kept the same name since at least the 12th century when it was recorded as Ysmongerlane; "isen" was a typical early London dialect variant of "iron". Its name indicated that it was the location of ironmongers, but John Stow, writing at the end of the 16th century, records that the ironmongers of Ironmonger Lane and Old Jewry had already moved to Thames Street.

Until the Great Fire of London in 1666, Ironmonger Lane was one of only two accesses to the Guildhall (the other being Lawrence Lane), a matter which made the travel of dignitaries difficult as two vehicles could not pass each other. The problem was alleviated after the fire when King Street was added by Christopher Wren to provide an access to Cheapside.

Thomas Becket is said to have been born on the corner of Cheapside and Ironmonger Lane. The livery hall of the Worshipful Company of Mercers may lie on the same spot; it is a relatively modern building, the first hall having been destroyed in the Great Fire and a second in the Blitz.

The nearest London Underground stations are St. Paul's (Central line) and Mansion House (Circle and District lines). The closest mainline railway stations are Cannon Street and Moorgate.