A Practical Guide for Post-War London
Published by R.H. & S. Rogers Ltd., Rocola’s Guide to London was a practical travel guide from the 1950s that not only helped visitors navigate the city but also placed a strong emphasis on road sense and safety—a reflection of the increasing traffic and urban growth post-World War II.
This guide provides an insightful look into how London was structured at the time, highlighting major districts, landmarks, and recommended itineraries. With a population of 8.3 million (as of 1948), London was expanding rapidly, absorbing Middlesex and reaching into Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, and Surrey. The book captures this transformation, detailing the different definitions of “London”—from The City (the historic and financial core) to the broader Greater London area.
Now, let’s explore what Rocola’s Guide to London suggested to visitors, and how its recommendations hold up today.
What the Guide Says: The Best Routes to See London
The guide provides several suggested itineraries, aiming to cover as much of the city’s thoroughfares, landmarks, and historic sites as possible in a short time. The routes seem designed for visitors who wanted to experience London efficiently, perhaps in just a day or two.
Route 1: Trafalgar Square to London Bridge
• Trafalgar Square – Featuring Nelson’s Column, The National Gallery, Admiralty Arch, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
• The Strand – Passing the Savoy Hotel, Somerset House, the New Waterloo Bridge, and theatres like the Drury Lane Theatre.
• Fleet Street – Once home to Britain’s newspaper industry. The guide highlights Law Courts, Temple Church, and Ludgate Circus.
• The Bank of England – At the heart of the financial district, near The Royal Exchange.
• London Bridge – Leading towards Tower Bridge and beyond.
🕰️ What’s still there today?
Most of these landmarks remain iconic stops in any London visit. Trafalgar Square, The Strand, Fleet Street, and the financial district are still bustling. However, Fleet Street no longer hosts newspapers, and Temple Bar, a historic city boundary marker, has been moved to Paternoster Square.
Route 2: Trafalgar Square to Westminster, Hyde Park & Buckingham Palace
• Whitehall & Government Buildings – Featuring Downing Street, The Cenotaph, Scotland Yard, and The Houses of Parliament.
• Victoria Street – Home to the Middlesex Guildhall (now the UK Supreme Court).
• Buckingham Palace & The Mall – Including St. James’s Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner.
🕰️ What’s still there today?
Everything in this route is still key to London’s tourist experience. The guide notes the ceremonial importance of The Mall, still used for royal processions today. Westminster and Buckingham Palace remain unchanged in their significance, though security measures have increased.
Route 3: Trafalgar Square to The West End
• Cockspur Street & Haymarket – Historically a hub for shipping offices.
• Piccadilly Circus – Described as “London’s pleasure life” with its theatres, cinemas, and restaurants.
• Regent Street & Mayfair – Featuring Burlington Arcade and The Royal Academy of Arts.
• Oxford Street – Already described as “one of the largest and most attractive shopping streets.”
🕰️ What’s still there today?
Oxford Street remains one of the world’s busiest shopping streets, though today it faces a decline due to online shopping and retail closures. Piccadilly Circus still serves as a nightlife and theatre hub, but Regent Street and Mayfair have become more exclusive shopping districts.
Route 4: Piccadilly Circus to Holborn, The Bank, Victoria Embankment & Trafalgar Square
• Shaftesbury Avenue – The heart of London’s theatre district.
• Bloomsbury & The British Museum – Highlighting London’s intellectual and academic district.
• Cheapside & St. Paul’s Cathedral – The financial district’s blend of commerce and history.
• Holborn Viaduct – A Victorian engineering marvel spanning Farringdon Street.
• Victoria Embankment – Featuring the Royal Empire Society building.
🕰️ What’s still there today?
Many locations along this route are still famous today, though the Royal Empire Society no longer exists under that name. Cheapside remains a commercial district, but many historical structures are overshadowed by modern skyscrapers.
Want to Know More?
If Rocola’s Guide to London has inspired you to explore the capital, here are some resources to plan your own historical visit:
• 📖 London Transport Museum – Learn about how people travelled in 1950s London.
• 🏛️ Museum of London (until it reopens as The London Museum) – For a deep dive into London’s post-war history.
• 🎭 Theatre District Walking Tours – Experience the West End as described in the guide.
• 🚶♂️ Self-Guided Walking Apps – Many apps offer historical London walking routes, including Fleet Street and The Strand.
