Castle Baynard

Features

The Ward covers an irregular shaped area, sometimes likened to a tuning fork, bounded on the east by the Wards of Queenhithe and Bread Street; the River Thames to the south; the Ward of Farringdon Without to the north and west; and the Ward of Farringdon Within to the north.

Major landmarks within the Ward include Blackfriars Bridge (the full span of which falls within the City and this Ward), naval establishment HMS President, and St Paul's Cathedral. In addition the area includes the churches of St Bride's, which Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman described as "magnificent, even by the exalted standards of Sir Christopher Wren", and St. Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe. In former times the Ward also included the Church of St Mary Magdalen Old Fish Street which burned down in 1886 and was not rebuilt and its own charitable foundation, Castle Baynard Ward School. The Mermaid Theatre, on the site of Curriers' Alley and Puddle Dock, nowadays lie within the Ward's catchment area. The north-bank entrance of Blackfriars station, the only London station to span the Thames, also lies within Castle Baynard.

Boundary changes in 2003 expanded the Ward considerably into the traditional area of the two Farringdon Wards, though a small amount of territory was lost to Queenhithe Ward. Today, Castle Baynard is busy and an exceptionally concentrated area of commercial and tourist activity, but still retains its own distinct identity.

History

Castle Baynard derives its name from Baynard's Castle which existed here from the Norman Conquest until it was burnt down during the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was anciently spelled as one word — Castlebaynard — but this is regarded today as incorrect.

Politics

Castle Baynard is one of 25 Wards in the City of London, each electing an Alderman to the Court of Aldermen and Commoners (the City equivalent of a Councillor) to the Court of Common Council of the City of London Corporation. Only electors who are Freemen of the City of London are eligible to stand.