Place Name

Little Turnstile, Greater London, England

Where the turnstiles spin and the puns begin!

Introduction

Right, ’ere we go. Little Turnstile. Now that’s a name that sounds like it belongs in a children’s book or on the poster of a quirky indie band. You hear it and you’re thinkin of a tiny fairground ride, or maybe a secret entrance to a magical world where everyone has to spin through a miniature gate before they’re allowed in.

Maybe it was named after an actual turnstile, maybe after someone who was obsessed with gates, or maybe it was just London bein London and givin things names that make you grin. Whatever the truth, it’s a walkway that makes you chuckle before you’ve even stepped foot on the cobbles.

It’s the kinda place where you half expect a tiny ticket inspector to pop out and ask for your fare.

Toponymy

Let’s break it down, Cockney style:

Little – Small, cute and a bit cheeky. Suggests this isn’t your average turnstile, it’s the fun‑sized version.

Turnstile – A gate that spins, a barrier that lets you through one at a time, and a word that always sounds like it belongs in a theme park.

Put together, Little Turnstile sounds like a miniature amusement ride for stressed Londoners.

Historical Context

The name’s been around since the sixteenth century, but the exact reason is lost in the fog of London history. Some say it was named after the turnstiles that once controlled access to the area. Others reckon it was just a nod to how narrow the passage is.

Whatever the truth, the name stuck, and now it’s one of those London quirks that makes you wonder what the namer was thinkin and thank them for it.

Points of Interest

If you’re wanderin about, ’ave a butchers at:

• Lincoln’s Inn Fields – Green, peaceful and perfect for a stroll.

• Royal Courts of Justice – Gothic, grand and full of drama.

• The British Museum – Culture, history and a lot of stairs.

• St George’s Gardens – Quiet, pretty and ideal for a sandwich.

• The Old Curiosity Shop – Dickensian charm in every corner.

Notable Figures

Folk tied to Little Turnstile or nearby include:

• Charles Dickens – Would’ve loved the name and written a chapter about it.

• Samuel Johnson – Would’ve defined it with flair.

• Virginia Woolf – Might’ve pondered its oddity on a walk.

• David Beckham – London icon who’d make even a turnstile look stylish.

• J.K. Rowling – Would’ve turned it into a magical gateway.

Conclusion

So next time you’re wanderin round Little Turnstile, take a moment to enjoy the charm of a place whose name sounds like a fairground ride but whose spirit’s pure London. It’s a walkway where the turnstiles spin, the puns begin and the stories practically write themselves.

For more funny and fascinating place names, ’ave a look at www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland keep churnin out names so odd you’d think the signposts were written by stand‑up comedians.

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