Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of Holborn with this look at Dyott Street:

The space to the north of the High and Broad Streets was previously a notorious rookery.

Dyott Street, which still exists, though cut in half, had a most unenviable reputation.

The Maidenhead Inn, which stood at the south-east corner of this, was a favourite resort for mealmen and country waggoners.

There was in this street also a tavern called the Turk’s Head, where Haggart Hoggarty planned the murder of Mr. Steele on Hounslow Heath in 1802.

Walford mentions also Rat’s Castle, a rendezvous for all the riff-raff of the neighbourhood.

Dyott Street was named after an influential parishioner of Charles II.’s time, who had a house here. It was later called George Street, but has reverted to the original name.

South of Great Russell Street there were formerly Bannister’s Alley and Eagle and Child Yard running northwards.

From the former of these continued Church Lane, to which Maynard Lane ran parallel.

Bainbridge, Buckridge, and Church Streets ran east and westward.

Of these Bainbridge remains, a long, narrow alley bounded by the brewery wall.

Mayhew says that here “were found some of the most intricate and dangerous places in this low locality.”