Why is Vine Street on the Monopoly Board?

Vine Street, W1 is easily the most obscure property on the London version of the Monopoly board.
Compared to other properties such as King's Cross Station, Marylebone Station, Piccadilly, the Old Kent Road, Regent Street and so on, it's hardly a household name and, in reality, Vine Street appears to be nothing more than a little dead end, used as a service area for a hotel and other businesses.
There's a lot more to Vine Street than meets the eye though... and in this video we'll be looking at its intriguing history- including, of course, the reason why it ended up on the Monopoly board!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
02:19 The London Version of Monopoly
04:28 The History of Vine Street
06:51 A Bizarre Death...
10:09 Why Vine Street?
11:22 Vine Street Police Station
18:27 Outro
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Credits:
Music used in this video:
The Entertainer (E's Jammy Jams)
Swipesy Cakewalk (E's Jammy Jams)
Forest Lullaby (Asher Fulero)
Pirouette (Asher Fulero)
Beseeched (Asher Fulero)
The Easy Winners (E's Jammy Jams)
Faultlines (Asher Fulero)
Organ Grinder's Song (Will Osborne and His Orchestra)
Smokey's Lounge (TrackTribe)
Images:
Monopoly board video: pixabay.com
Victor Watson image: thoresby.org.uk
Angel Islington Monopoly Plaque: London Remembers
St James's Concert Hall: Victorianweb.org
Historic maps: David Rumsey and the National Library of Scotland
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[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much for watching! If you had the chance to design the London Monopoly board from scratch, what properties would you include? Please be sure to let me know in the comments....

[@brianparker663]

For me, it would have to include Abbey Road, Lord's and The Oval. 😃🏏🚶🚶‍♂🚶🚶‍♂

[@Robslondon]

@@brianparker663 And they would be excellent choices Brian!

[@arejayseeottawa]

Canary Wharf!

[@Robslondon]

@@arejayseeottawa Good one Robert ;-)

[@robertlordan3084]

@@Robslondon Cheers Robert!

[@Charstring]

Top video! An Americus Oglethorpe shows up the London Metropolitan Archives in a document from 1751 submitted to the magistrates at the Middlesex sessions. He he had been indentured as an apprentice to a mariner, William Tiffin for 7 years starting 14 June 1746 but Mr Tiffin died leaving Americus in the lurch. He was asking to be discharged from the apprenticeship because Mr Tiffin’s sister was trying to force him to do unpaid work for her.

[@Robslondon]

What a fantastic find. Thank you so much! Brings a lot of clarity to the story. Many thanks again and stay well 😊

[@Alan_Duval]

Just to add to this, both Americus and Oglethorpe are towns in Georgia, a mere 20 miles apart. Maybe the individual in question was born in Andersonville (approximately halfway between Americus and Oglethorpe), but decided that wasn't great as a personal name.

[@christopheralthouse6378]

@@Alan_DuvalIf said individual was around anytime close to the American Civil War, I could certainly see the desire to distance oneself from Andersonville as it was home to one of the most notorious Confederate prison camps of the war…😳😬

[@Alan_Duval]

@@christopheralthouse6378 Super interesting. Thanks!

[@christopheralthouse6378]

@@Alan_Duval Definitely! Andersonville Prison Camp has a rather unfortunate connection to my family as one of my ancestors (on my maternal grandmother’s side) died as a Union POW in that camp. Grandma spent quite a few years working to get the name on his gravestone corrected. William P. Vandever, if one ever gets curious enough to see…

[@davidjones332]

"I'm taking my secretary to London to research locations for a board game" must be the most original excuse for a dirty weekend ever!

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@andrewmurray5542]

Brilliant comment 😂😂😂

[@paulmcgee1867]

Best idea ever 😂

[@Chafflives]

😉😉,nudge, nudge.

[@antonysebastianclegg8498]

A few years ago, a group of us tried to complete the Monopoly Board pub crawl for a stag do. Our original plan to only drink a half at each stop soon deteriorated into pints and then shots for completing sides of the board. Needless to say, we didn’t quite finish it and had to visit four or five of the posher addresses the following weekend (a tip if plan to try it: don’t leave the more upmarket places till the end because you won’t find many pubs willing to allow a large group of already drunk men to enter - especially after midnight). Anyway, the one address we really struggled to find was Vine Street and we did wonder at the time why it was on the board. Now our questions are answered. Thanks for the video!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Great comment Antony, thank you... and you're braver than me! ;-)

[@hughjaars2285]

We went for wine from a wine box for Vine Street 😅on our monopoly board pub crawl. Need to start on the Brown ones as some of the pubs there open earlier. And yes, we did include railway stations!

[@jeremysanderson9673]

Fascinating and well researched. I was a Police Office in the 1980s to 1990s, and Vine Street was the last station I served in. It was still one of the busiest nicks in London then, mainly covering the Regent Street, Piccadilly and Soho area. Pub kicking-out time at the weekends was the busiest time, running fights with loud drunks right through to the early hours. I still have chronic back pain as a memento!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Cheers Jeremy ;-) Stay well.

[@Colganology]

We might have passed each other like shift workers in the night! I was there from 1985 to 1989 :)

[@johndaarteest]

Shane McGowan sings about Vine Street police station in the song 'The Ol' Main Drag' "between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled, and they ruined my good looks for the old main drag"

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Yes indeed! I toyed with the idea of mentioning it, but thought it would be too controversial for this family channel! 😉

[@CorvoFG]

Hi Rob. Regarding the train robbers. They did use Monopoly money. The mistake they made was not clearing it up and it had their fingerprints all over it. In some cases, this helped with their convictions. I have always wondered why a relatively insignificant street appears on the board tho! Cheers.

[@Robslondon]

Ah! I would’ve used real cash personally if there were stacks of it lying around! 😂

[@andicheese1763]

Amazing to think such a tiny street has so much history. Thanks for the research and sharing. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Robslondon]

It's an absolute pleasure Andi; thanks so much for watching.

[@likklej8]

There used to be an imports record store in the mid 60s The underpass under the station is interesting the Ship and Shovel is a good pub for tourists

[@johnbacon1854]

Rob, you have done it again. What an amazing walk through history, of a small Street in London. Incredible. You really brought Vine Street to Life. The history of how Monopoly was created was great in itself, but then to go through the eras, the changes and the stories you found just gave me a whole new history lesson on this little place. So sad about the little girl and the cheese block. You have just brought her memory back, and although she was only 4 when she passed, her memory continues to live on in History now. I loved the tie in to the third Bond Book, Moonraker. I am a huge Ian Fleming Fan, and the Bond series as a whole. It may just be a service road in modern standards today, but it trully deserves its place on the Board after seeing all this. I am not sure how many other Streets you have covered with the Monopoly tie in, but for sure this could be an awesome series of videos if you continue doing more. Wishing you and your family all the best as always.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much John; a lovely, lovely comment and just the sort of incredibly kind words which keep me going. Thank you again my friend and stay well.

[@brianartillery]

The only thing I know about Vine Street is that there was a Police Station there. It was also regarded, by some people, to be haunted by the ghost of a policeman who hanged himself in the cells. The atmosphere in some parts of the place was said to be unpleasantly oppressive, and gloomy. (even after it re-opened in the 1970's). I was told this by my late mother, who was a Metropolitan Police 'Special', in the mid 1950's. She never believed in ghosts or the supernatural, but the fact the story was told to her by stolid, unimaginative Policemen of the 'old school', who just stated it as fact, and were not trying to scare a 20 year old girl. The station was closed by the time mum was in the met, but she said she went to lots of places that just felt 'wrong', for no apparent reason, whilst on the beat and, being a tremendously rational person, it annoyed her that she could never find out why.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Yes... from what I've heard, the ghost is of a former bent copper- he took a lot of bribes in the early 20th century and apparently made a fortune. When he got found out, he promptly took his own life...

[@robertwells252]

Rob great research brings back memories. I served as a Det Sgt at Vine Street for 3 years in the 70s what a tremendous area the best posting I had in the 30 year service and although busy was so well organised you didn’t really notice it was the busiest police station in Europe well done great video 19:45

[@Robslondon]

Wonderful comment Robert, thank you so much. I bet you have quite a few stories to tell?! Thanks again for the kind words and stay well.

[@stevethornhill3304]

I used to be a police officer working for some time at the metropolitan police station in Vine Street,it closed in 1997

[@Robslondon]

You must have some interesting stories to tell Steve

[@johntailing5283]

As seen regularly on ‘Police5’ 🤭

[@NDKY67]

My little sister would always cheat at Monopoly, stealing money from the bank. I lost her last year, memories of her stealing Monopoly money make me smile now, she was a very special person, even though she was a cheat at board games.

[@Robslondon]

A truly beautiful comment Nicholas; your words moved me very much. Thank you so much for taking the time to share memories of your sister here; I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Take care my friend, and thank you again.

[@veehoggard]

There's a fabulous book by Tim Moore called "Do Not Pass Go" which has the history of all the squares on the Monopoly Board. This however was another level Rob, great research. I wonder if you fancy doing a full series about Monopoly?

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Victoria 😊 I’ve not heard of that book, will have to look it up… as for a series, I’d be up for it if people would be happy to watch!

[@surreygoldprospector576]

Tim Moore was in my class at school! And yes, that book is very funny - recommended.

[@PaulB-17]

Rob I am sure you are to young to remember a radio show called listen with Mother. As children when it came on the radio we would be settled down with a mug of milk and some cake or biscuits to listen to the story, Well now 50 years later on the opposite side of the world I find my self doing the same thing when I see you have uploaded. Make a nice cup of tea piece of fruit cake and settle into the armchair to enjoy your story. such a relaxing pleasure, coming from close to Harrow your accent takes me back and adds to the London vibe.

[@Robslondon]

That is such a lovely comment Paul, thank you :-) Hope you're keeping well and thanks again.

[@kokobwild2413]

Nice of him to take his secretary down from Leeds for that weekend in London.

[@davidfarrell3539]

Another truly amazing video Rob, thank you so much. By strange coincidence I am reading 'Right Ho Jeeves' by P.G. Wodehouse, in which Bertie Wooster reminisces being 'hauled off to Vine Street Police Station' on Boat Race night and to avoid a drunk and disorderly fine 'assumed in a flash the identity of Eustace H. Plimsoll'. Doubt you could get away with that today, but if the circumstances arise I might just give it a try. Also, regarding Swallow Street: there is a Swallow Passage on the south side of Oxford Street. I wonder if they were both once connected?

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment David, thank you so much. I didn't know Vine Street police station as mentioned in that book! Swallow Passage I'm not sure about, will have to look into it... .thanks again and stay well.

[@martharunstheworld]

What a great story! Thanks Rob! Monopoly was always my favorite game as a kid, but I won't lie, I've turned that darn board over a time or two.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Martha :-) Stay well.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Brilliantly researched as always Rob, and finding the legal connection between the orange sites was just genius. Your content is so good that I'm sure you could make a book out of it (I know that you're already an author).

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much :-) I'd love to write more books, but it would appear online is the way to go now.... you never know though ;-)

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Rob An excellent video. Love the Monopoly facts. The company I work for just celebrated it's 100th anniversary and we sold a special Monopoly game based on our company. We now have three different board sets, the American original an London one and our company one. Loved the Only Fools and Horses clip. Thanks Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@kingsleysuessenbach7328]

I love your presentation style Rob. The unhurried, conversational nature of your voiceover has the charming qualities of being both engaging and relaxing. Very enjoyable.

[@Robslondon]

That means so much to me Kingsley, thank you my friend. Cheers and stay well.

[@jovanweismiller7114]

I've never been to London & odds are I never shall, but I love your channel! My Grandfather, a veteran of the Royal Field Artillery in the Great War, used to tell me where all the good pubs were. Of course, most of them had been bombed out during the Blitz. My Mum lived through the Blitz. I love learning the history of London.

[@Robslondon]

Such a wonderful comment Jovan, thank you. Your mother and grandfather sound like the sort of people I would loved to have listened to. I hope you do make it here one day… stay well my friend.

[@snowymatrix]

I was born in London quite a long time ago. I always learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. This one was outstanding! Thanks man👍🍺🍺

[@Robslondon]

Nice comment; thanks and thank you for watching 😉

[@simonfowler1290]

Brilliant Rob, well done on all the research! I knew the police station well, I joined the Met in 1983. So many police stations closing & being demolished, Chelsea police station in Lucan Place, SW3 being the latest to go under the swinging bal...

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Simon. Yes, even West End Central is now closed as you’ll know. Would loved to have seen inside Vine Street station (as a non-criminal of course!) Thanks again and stay well

[@thetragicyouth]

Rob, your videos never fail to inform and enchant - the perfect start to a Sunday evening! Wasn't there also a fairly notable police station at Gerald Road, near Eaton Square (I believe it featured in many 'well to do' scandals from the 1930s onwards)? On a side note, several decades ago I stayed overnight at the Cadogan Hotel in the very room where Wilde was arrested - no ghosts, alas.

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me, thank you so much. Don’t know about the Gerald Road station, will have to look into it! And that’s quite something; staying in the great Oscar Wilde’s room! Very jealous! 😉 Stay well and thanks again

[@paulmerryman]

I can't begin to believe how much research goes into these video's. Amazing work as always Rob, very informative.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Paul, really appreciate your kind words. Stay well mate.

[@nicolek4076]

Always worth the wait ... another perfectly-formed little gem from Rob. I've not lived in London for many years, but his rambles through the streets and history always create a pang if nostalgia. Thank you, Rob.

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure as always Nicole, thank you so much for the kind words :-)

[@josh0g]

What a unique way to research history, and really come across a lot of interesting stories.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you!

[@badgerello]

Brilliant - past go and claim a new sub. We in Australia grew up with the UK version years before we got our own state specific Monopoly boards. Love that game and love this story.

[@Robslondon]

Such a lovely comment Brad, thank you so much for the kind words mate. Really good to have you here! Cheers and stay well 🇦🇺

[@clivefelgate9802]

As always a great vid Rob. As a child played this with my Gran, mum and dad and brothers and sister. Have played with my kids and now with my grand kids! Somethings never go out of fashion.

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Clive, thank you. Yes, I think Monopoly will always be here. Stay well 😉

[@markcarson8]

Thanks for all your hard work Rob, enjoyed that.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Mark, really appreciate your support. Stay well.

[@TheHarrip]

Fantastic work yet again my friend. Thanks.

[@Robslondon]

It’s an absolute pleasure my friend; thanks for watching and stay well.

[@dabsan]

It's always such a absolute pleasure to watch your videos, so interesting and very well researched. I am very much looking forward to watching your future videos.

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate your kind words Darren; they mean a lot to me. Stay well mate.

[@bryan3550]

Fascinating stuff, as usual, Rob! Excellent research. 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Bryan! Hope you’re keeping well

[@raymonde4272]

Fascinating stuff once again Rob. It's always amazing how much history even the most unassuming of streets has.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Raymonda :-) Yes; it never ceases to amaze me how much history is hidden away out there....

[@lindahart6049]

Rob, your research is amazing! Each video is so interesting, and you tie up all the loose ends so effortlessly. I look forward to each one.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Linda! Really kind of you to say :-) Stay well.

[@sharonleong7120]

Great content. I like it too. Thanks Robert.👍👍👍💜💜💜

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Sharon 😊

[@BobMuir100]

Wonderful!! I am a Londoner now living Manchester far too far away from the Emirates (or Highbury) but needs must. However it’s great to get such a London ‘fix’ such as this piece. I knew very little about this story so was doubly pleased. Thanks Bob England

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Bob; appreciate the kind words! Cheers ;-)

[@dougknight1720]

Loved it. Really interesting documentary as always. Nice to know a History of Monopoly and some of the Streets behind it.Thanks again Rob, keep up the good work

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Doug! Cheers ;-)

[@Rachel-bo3qg]

Yet another well researched video ! Great work.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Rachel :-)

[@annettescott5884]

Wow Rob - that’s an impressive and complex piece of research! Thanks for another great video 😊

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure Annette, thank you so much for the kind words 🙂

[@vickypedias]

What an excellent channel and video! Love you Rob!

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me, thank you Viktoria 😊

[@richardbrayshaw570]

Cheers Rob. Really loving these videos that bring my adopted home city to life.

[@Robslondon]

Absolute pleasure Richard, glad you like them! Thanks for watching and stay well.

[@martycrow]

Great research and engaging presentation style. Thank you Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated, thanks for watching 😊

[@martycrow]

@@Robslondon Subscribed too! Looking forward to viewing more. All the best!

[@Robslondon]

@@martycrow Lovely! Thank you 🙂

[@BonBonB]

Superbly written and edited video. Nice work!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you BonBon!

[@M500VYN]

Fascinating. Thanks for your research and producing this article. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Melvyn, thank you so much for watching.

[@brianparker663]

Another fascinating and well-researched video Rob. I'm told that professional Monopoly players (who knew there was such a thing!?) very much covet the orange set as opponents leaving jail are very likely to land there. 🤑

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Brian! I didn’t know that, very interesting- will have to bear it in mind next time I play 😉

[@richiesimons4403]

That was a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable video. Thank you Rob. Brought back fond memories of my time living in London. I lived in Angel Islington for 18 months and loved it there.

[@Robslondon]

It's an absolute pleasure Richie; thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching! Stay well.

[@ladymissp1880]

Great research, so detailed and informative! Just came up in my feed and now a subscriber! Lived in London from 1980-2002 and loved everything about it; never bored always something new to discover and I’m now going to continue exploring via your videos!

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment LadyMissP, thank you! It's great to have you here 🙂

[@thewrecker3140]

What a smashing post

[@calhungus]

Brilliant video Rob,what an interesting subject for a video.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Cal, thanks for watching 😊

[@nicholaswalker2494]

Hi Rob super video,happy to know that Victor and Marjorie came from My home county “God’s own”I happened to find a old German Monopoly set in the recycling centre and the Vine Street equivalent is called Berliner Straße and costs 4000 Marks.All the property names are standardised like the station’s are named main,north and south etc.The street names also like Park,Museum,station,new and direction streets like Munich and Berliner Straße.Not any kind of imagination as our beloved game.Cheers mate and thanks once again 👍👍

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment Nicholas, thank you. Leeds is a great city 😉

[@filipweemaes1926]

Always fascinating storytelling 👍

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate that Filip; thank you so much my friend. Stay well.

[@mikereilly5005]

Hi Rob Thoroughly enjoyed that one, I know all of the areas you mentioned, but once again, you have shown me the history, as with all your videos, I always make a point of driving past the locations, Thank you All the best Mike

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Mike, hope you’re keeping well.

[@BdManus]

Hi from Texas. Excellent video. I am simply amazed how you find all of the research to tell the stories that you do.

[@Robslondon]

Truly appreciate that Bd Manus, thank you my friend. Great to have someone from Texas here! Thanks again and stay well.

[@RemnantCult]

As an American, I have always been interested in hearing the reasoning behind the street names in the UK version of monopoly. Brilliant video. I'm fascinated by UK and English history.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! Lovely comment 😉

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I love your videos so much Rob, especially when they don't go too far east 🙂 Not being a Monopoly man 'Vine Street Police Station' has always been the phrase or name that pops into my mind but I don't believe I have ever stepped in Vine Street itself. Though I've sold books to a dealer in (I think) Albemarle Street and have perused the stalls in front of St James' Church I think of myself as on the Regent Street side of things rather than the Picadilly, which apart from the Royal Academy has never interested me as much. When I was young it was Hamleys and in the late sixties the guitar shops in Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road and then when working with a Thai gentleman with an intrepid streak in the '80s, eating at all manner of Chinese and Indian restaurants that he had uncovered in his travels. Thanks again Rob, for all your work. I enjoyed your Monopoly inspired graphics.

[@Robslondon]

What a brilliant comment! Thank you as always Paul, really enjoy hearing your memories- it’s important to share them, for it’s how people in the future will gain a window into our lives. Thanks again my friend and stay well.

[@seansersmylie]

Fantastic little slice of history, thanks very much!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Sean 😊

[@williamevans9426]

Thank you Rob - yet another fascinating video. I'm very interested in the sites of now demolished buildings, especially in central London - trying to imagine the scene at each location in times past. Your impeccable research is therefore greatly appreciated!

[@Robslondon]

Glad to be of service, William :-) Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@Mooocheropordis]

I was once incarcerated at Islington nick for the night in Tolpuddle st. Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of sampling the delights of Vine St. Great Video!

[@Robslondon]

😂 Cheers Andrew!

[@rachelhenderson2688]

Did that make you a Tolpuddle Martyr, then?

[@Mooocheropordis]

@@rachelhenderson2688 Ha, no i was guilty

[@nilo70]

Thank You Rob , for making this interesting episode today ! Cheers from California 😊

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure Olin! Hope life in California is treating you well ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@thewrecker3140]

Outstanding work Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers!

[@SLane249]

Another "I never knew that" video, great job ! Thanks for your work.

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Stephen! Cheers 😉

[@mjwemdee]

A great video - and evidently took a lot of effort to put together! I live in the Netherlands now, but still homesick for London every now and then. Every street has a story to tell.

[@Robslondon]

Such a beautiful comment, thank you so much mjwemdee. Stay well my friend.

[@callycat6660]

Thankyou Rob this is so interesting ..I lived in London for many happy years and it's wonderful finding out the History from the past 😊

[@Robslondon]

Such a lovely comment Cally cat, thank you :-)

[@connie_d]

the title was intriguing but this vid is even more fascinating than i expected. really good work. just wish there was the same vast amount of information presented this well about all our other cities as there is about london. if anyone has any suggestions pls let me know.

[@Robslondon]

Your comment has made my day; thank you so much! Really appreciate your kind words. Cheers and stay well 🙂

[@Slycockney]

Brilliant video Rob, really enjoyed it. Vine Street is a location I have walked past hundreds of times and not even noticed it is there, feel a bit guilty now.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much! And I’m sure you’re not alone; I was guilty of that until recently!

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

That was fascinating as usual Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Kerry 😊

[@philipdove6987]

Vine street and the orange is the best investment in monopoly. Cheap to buy and develop, but with crippling rents if you have 4 houses or hotels. If you land on go then the statistical chance of throwing a combination of throws that puts you on an orange property is around 50%. The orange set are a real cash cow

[@Robslondon]

Good tip ;-)

[@mickey4125]

Fantastic as always Rob me old mucker! That whole Vine Street- Little Vine Street switcheroo seems like much ado about nothing, a very strange affair! With love from Yorkshire x

[@Robslondon]

Chew Mickey! And yes, very much in agreement 😉

[@SeventhSwell]

Very interesting video. Thanks!

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated; thanks for watching 😊

[@Byzmax]

Amazing video presented so well.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Iain. Cheers and stay well.

[@mikego18753]

A very enjoyable vid Rob. Thanks.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks very much Mike

[@katrinabryce]

I used to work very close to there, and I didn't know it existed. I recognise most of the other nearby streets you showed in the video, but not Vine Street.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Katrina, hope you found it interesting 😊

[@JTonson]

Absolutely fascinating - well done

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Jacob 🙂

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Vine Street police station gets a mention in the Pogues song "Old main drag".

[@Robslondon]

Yep! I did want to mention it... but also have to keep it clean ;-)

[@TheCardiganR]

I knew Vine Street from despatching in London in the mid 80s. I also got to know Great Marlborough Street from an appearance in the magistrates Court for having a missing L plate on my scooter after getting pulled in Regent Street. This was before the days of Instant fines. The copper was determined to get me for something, I remember he went over everything on the scoter. Grrr!, still riles me today. 😉

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Cheers ;-)

[@alanchriston6806]

Rob, Superb video. Once again 😊🏴‍☠️

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Alan, thank you. Hope you're keeping well.

[@alanchriston6806]

@@Robslondon always much better , especially on a Monday morning, after watching and listening to one of your fabulous London videos. The Best city in the World Always a Treat 😊🏴‍☠️

[@Robslondon]

@@alanchriston6806 Thanks!

[@ruthdorward6105]

Very interesting! Looking forward to exploring London again. Hi from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Ruth! Hope you make it back here soon.

[@callycat6660]

Fabulous video so interesting ..It's very nostalgic for me as I used to live in London for a good few years and will be fascinating for me to see your other video's ..Subscribed and Thankyou 😊

[@Robslondon]

It's wonderful to have you here Cally cat! Thank you so much for the kind words :-) Stay well.

[@callycat6660]

@@Robslondon Thankyou 💙

[@Robslondon]

@@callycat6660 🙂

[@Colganology]

I used to work at Vine Street Police Station! Long gone now, as is Bow Street.

[@priscillamontoya]

I love your channel so much. Thank you. ❤

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Priscilla :-) I couldn't do it without the lovely support of wonderful people such as yourself. Stay well and thanks again.

[@tonycox5625]

Thanks Rob, still got our old Monopoly game dating back to the early 60s, who knew that Vine Street had so much history?! 👍😊

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Tony ;-) Yes, it's an interesting little place for sure.

[@nelliemelba4967]

Ahh, so that's Vine Street! Nice informative video, Rob, thank you.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Nellie 😊

[@leifvejby8023]

Didn't know that I didn't know this, and certainly not that it was a very interesting tale! Thanks!!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks very much for watching, Leif Vejby :-) Stay well.

[@whyyoulidl]

Rob, just have to echo the positive comments below. Many thanks for bringing this hidden gem to our attention. Truly grateful!

[@Robslondon]

Much. appreciated; thank you 🙂

[@garyphisher7375]

I've been fishing at the pond by Bridego Bridge, where the robbery happened. You always get a few people visiting, who know a great deal about the robbery. Always fascinating listening to them.

[@Robslondon]

I noticed the fishing area when filming this Gary 😉

[@samsaunders6738]

This is great Rob, I used to work at the hotel and have fond memories of coming into work through Vine street, always wondered why it was on the board and now I know 😊. Anyway, thanks for bringing back some great memories and enlightening me at the same time!

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Sam, thank you!

[@butchknapman3939]

Rob, greetings to you again from Thailand, oh Monopoly as kids my brother always had to be the Banker and sometimes games went on for days. As always yet again very interesting and thought provoking video. August 1993 I was actually working on a farm in Buckinghamshire a little more than a stones throw from Leatherslade farm , the concrete track in those was mud and there lies a story of its own. Looking out for the next video

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Butch, thank you! Hope you're keeping well.

[@raystewart3648]

JUST Subscribed. Very good history lesson of Vine St, a street I have past many hundreds of times, but with very little knowledge or any at all about it. There is another story about Swallow Street or near by it, that its where a murder took place in 1896 of two young boys, but the case was not followed, as the boys where part of the Dove-Row Gang.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Ray! That's interesting about Swallow Street, I wasn't aware of that...

[@jillwalker925]

great storytelling! well-paced & voiced. brian potiki

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated, thank you :-)

[@gmdhargreaves]

Fascinating video- great free education- I love it I really love it❤

[@Robslondon]

That you so much ☺️ Your kind words mean a great deal to me, thank you for watching and stay well.

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

Wow, such an interesting video :) just discovered your channel. Can't wait to check out more.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much! It's great to have you here 🙂

[@totspur6376]

This is brilliant. Thank you Rob.

[@Robslondon]

It’s an absolute pleasure, thanks for watching 😊

[@philrougier5533]

Fantastic as always. I can't count the number of times I've been bankrupted on Vine Street because of the extortionate hotel bills

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! I know the feeling! Cheers Phil ;-)

[@Jsmith2024]

Thank you. Your depth of knowledge and presentation are exceptional. I have been to London a few times but am not familiar with Vine St.

[@Robslondon]

I appreciate that Jeff; many thanks sir.

[@piepowered]

Fascinating stuff. Thanks!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you :-)

[@cjg1970]

Very informative. I always thought Vine St. was a bit obscure but never gave it a second thought.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you :-)

[@Alan_Duval]

How cool! I've been to that Bermondsey Street watchhouse cafe :D I was watching this as a follow-up to my finding out that the choice of train stations on the Monopoly board was due to the fact that those stations served Leeds, unlike the other, sometimes larger and more important stations (e.g. Waterloo, London Bridge, Paddington).

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Alan! And that’s a very interesting fact 😉

[@SlurpyDave254]

You're on to something here Rob, u could do a vid of every square of Monopoly. 🤣 that makes sense all the orange ones being associated with Law. Excellent explanation of Vine St👍🙂

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Dave, cheers! There is a Monopoly pub crawl but I’ve not been brave enough to ever attempt it! 😬

[@hannahk1306]

Thanks, I've taken part in Monopoly Run Live (you play Monopoly by visiting the real life locations from the London Monopoly board) a few times now and always wondered why Vine Street seemed to be down a random back alley. Now, if my Guides ask me when we play again in a few weeks time, I can tell them that it used to be the location of an important police station. I think a modern version would probably centre around the attractions of London, e.g. one colour set for the museums, as well as places like the London Eye, Tower of London and London Dungeons being included. You could also have well-known buildings like the Shard, Gherkin and Walkie-talkie on there. In terms of stations, Waterloo, Paddington, Liverpool Street and one of Euston/St Pancras/King's Cross would be good options for the four corners of London.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment Hannah, I enjoyed reading that. I didn't realise there was a Monopoly run! Cheers and stay well :-)

[@hannahk1306]

@@Robslondon Yeah, it happens on the first Saturday in March every year, but it's only open to people in Scouting and Guiding. So if you see loads of kids (and adults) in uniform running about London on 4th March you know why.

[@Robslondon]

It's due soon then!

[@andrewniles9479]

Great work mate.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers, much appreciated ;-)