London locations (was Chapter Discussions: Chapter 4)

[queen_astrofiammante]

No: HPFGUIDX 83865

>First June said:  

"My geographical siting of 12 Grimmauld Place was (for no other 
reason but that I know them fairly well) either Hackney in North East 
London or Stoke Newington - similarly located and virtually next 
door.  Both these areas are full of large victorian properties which 
are how shall I put it? Run down.  Ever so slightly seedy.  <snip 
rest of post>"
 
> Then Liz said:   

"I believe it takes the kids and their escorts about 20 minutes to 
walk to Kings Cross Station on September 1, so Hackney and Stoke 
Newington are unlikely... More probable locations would be Kings 
Cross itself, Kentish Town, Angel/Islington, Camden Town." 

<snip>

"12 Grimmauld Place has always had a 'posh gone to seed' element for 
me, especially considering the attitudes and snobbery of the Blacks, 
more inner-north-west than north-east."


Now Astrofiammante's thoughts:

I like your arguments for north west London - other possibilities 
would be Holborn, which has got some very posh bits but also 
some 'formerly posh bits' gone to seed, and which is close to Kings 
Cross. Also Clerkenwell or Farringdon?

I always thought that St Mungo's was probably around Tottenham
Court Road/Oxford Circus, because of the dilapidated department store 
screening it and the feeling that it is in a shopping district, but 
one that is not too smart.

As for the Ministry of Magic, I suppose we must assume that's close 
to Whitehall, since it is described as right in the centre of 
London - also handy for the Charing Cross Road which might explain how
Fudge got to Harry so quickly at the start of PoA.

The slightly dilapidated neighbourhood housing the visitors' entrance 
could conceivably be off towards Covent Garden, or even south of
the river.

Astrofiammante
 
www.deadjournal.com/users/astrofiammante