Scrooge’s Counting House
This is one of the more mysterious locations in A Christmas Carol. Unlike other places in the novella, Dickens never explicitly tells us where Scrooge’s workplace is, so we’re left to guess based on context clues about “the ancient tower of a church” and “phantom houses” in the fog of a “narrow court.”
Ultimately, all signs point to Newman’s Court, a dark and narrow alleyway off Cornhill in the section of London known as “The City,” which has long been the financial center of London. Newman’s Court certainly looks like it could have been a place of miserly misery in the Victorian era. It’s not the most festive of locales, but don’t worry. We’re just setting the scene for things to come.
Scrooge’s Home
This is another location that historians can’t quite pinpoint with accuracy. Any bachelor pads that might have existed in the City back in the day have long been replaced with modern London office buildings.
When looking for Scrooge’s residence, however, two possibilities emerge. One is Lime Street, a place located near Leadenhall Market where the newly reformed Scrooge goes shopping for Christmas presents after being visited by the ghosts. Another is Brabant Court, an out-of-the-way yard that’s described as a lonely and forgotten place but still shows a spark of joy: Bob Cratchit goes sliding around the ice in Brabant on Christmas Eve.
Either way, if you want to look at some of these buildings this December and imagine Scrooge going “bah humbug” inside of them, these are the areas to check out.
The Cratchit House
If the story and plight of Tiny Tim is enough to bring a tear to your eye, then Camden Town is the destination for you. Bayhem Street is very likely where Bob Cratchit would have lived, surrounded by his humble and loving family. They lived on just 15 shillings per week before Scrooge gave up his stingy ways and became a better boss.
Interestingly, Charles Dickens himself lived on Bayham Street in his youth, which is probably why he was able to give such detailed descriptions of the area. You can even find a brick building with a commemorative plaque saying “Charles Dickens lived here.” Perfect for those A Christmas Carol selfies!
The Prized Turkey Shop
One of the best parts of A Christmas Carol is when ole Ebenezer has his change of heart. To celebrate, he buys a turkey for the Cratchits. Drumsticks for everybody!
Leadenhall Market is where you can walk in the footsteps of the joyous, newly generous Scrooge. The market is appropriately festive, and extremely well preserved, so you’ll have your pick of dining, shopping, and other entertainment options all under sparkling holiday lights. The market can also serve as a great jumping-off point for further travel in London. Since it’s centrally located, it can serve as a touchstone as you go exploring nearby attractions, such as the Tower of London, London Bridge, and the Tate Modern.
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Scrooge’s Gravestone
You won’t find a real gravestone for Scrooge since he is, after all, a fictional character, but you can certainly walk around the graveyard at St. Peter’s-upon-Cornhill Church, which is very likely the place Dickens had in mind when he wrote the scene in which the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come forced Scrooge to look upon his own gravestone. St. Peter’s is an impressively towering church to this day, boasting a neoclassic style that’s withstood the test of time from the Victorian era.
You might recognize the name Cornhill from Newman’s Court, the site of Scrooge’s counting house. One of the most frightening parts of Scrooge’s ghostly visions was the thought that he could live, work, and die in the same place, never loved or mourned by anyone because of his miserly ways.
If you really want to get a taste for the creepy Victorian graveyards — and, really, who doesn’t? — you might walk around London’s other churchyards and cemeteries as well, many of which date back centuries.