Elephant and Castle, Urban district in South London, GB
Elephant and Castle is an urban district in South London with a major transport junction that includes two underground stations, one mainline rail station, and twenty-eight bus routes. These routes connect central London destinations and make the location one of the best-connected areas south of the Thames.
The area emerged from two villages, Walworth and Newington, and took its name from a coaching inn established in 1765 near important road crossings. In the early 20th century it was known as the Piccadilly of South London with a theatre seating 4,000 people.
The district houses the Imperial War Museum, the Ministry of Sound nightclub, and the London College of Communication. Strong Latin American influences appear today in the shops and restaurants around the shopping centre.
The district is currently undergoing a large redevelopment program with new residential buildings, commercial spaces, and improved infrastructure. Visitors will find many construction sites and temporary barriers that will change the appearance over the coming years.
The name comes from an inn sign showing an elephant carrying a castle on its back, likely representing trade routes between England and India. The modern shopping centre carries a contemporary version of this historic motif on its facade.
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