The Old Curiosity Shop

The Old Curiosity Shop is a house and shop located on Portsmouth Street in the City of Westminster. It dates from the 17th century, with some alterations made in the early 19th century. The building features a timber frame that is plastered, topped with a tiled roof. It has two storeys, with the first floor overhanging and two windows wide set on the corner. The ground floor includes shop windows that are believed to be from the 17th century or early 18th century, with wooden frames and early 19th-century glazing, along with a glazed and panelled door. The first floor has flush framed casements, and there is a moulded wood eaves cornice beneath the hipped roof. This building is said to be the inspiration for Charles Dickens' Old Curiosity Shop and is listed as Grade II* due to its literary associations.