But what's the story behind the name? Well, the land was leased to John Wood, the Elder, by a man named Robert Gay. And yup, that's right, the street bears his name! So if you ever see a street named after yourself, you'll know how Robert Gay felt.
Now, let me tell you about these stunning houses. They are three stories high with fancy Mansard roofs that give them a touch of elegance. You'll notice that many of them have these fancy Ionic columns, giving the street a classic charm. It's like stepping into a postcard!
And here's a fun fact - the houses might look pretty similar, but if you take a closer look, you'll see slight variations in the window designs. It's like a little game of spot the difference, except you can't win a prize for it. Ah, well, it's still fun!
You'll also find some of these houses now being used as offices, but back in the day, some notable people called Gay Street home. Hester Thrale, also known as Mrs. Piozzi, lived at number 8. It's quite a fancy one, with those Corinthian pilasters on the ground and first floors. She must have had quite the style!
But wait, there's more! On the east side of the road, you'll find numbers 18 to 30. They were actually built before the houses on the west side, isn't that interesting?
Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for number 41, right on the corner between Gay Street and Queen Square. That was the home of John Wood, the Younger himself! Talk about having a prime spot!
Now, if you're a fan of Jane Austen, this next bit is for you. The Jane Austen Centre is located at number 40. But hold on, don't get too excited just yet. Although it's named after her, Jane Austen actually lived at number 25. So close, yet so far!
So there you have it, a fascinating mix of history, architecture, and a little bit of confusion thrown in. Gay Street is definitely worth a stroll, wouldn't you say? Let's continue our adventure and head to our next stop!
