Bear Gardens

Bear Gardens. Named, not because of a fragrant flower garden, but a instead a brutal form of entertainment that took place on the southern corner of the alley, the Bear Garden. This was a large round theatre that was used for the blood sports of bear-baiting, bull-baiting, and other “animal sports” in the London area during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Bear bones were found under the ground when development work started in the area harking back to this gruesome time. Tiptoe at night and you can just about hear the roar.