London’s Alleys: Cockpit Steps, SW1

Named after an inn and a dark period of history, this rather posh passage and charming steps can be found just around the corner from Parliament.While most tourists use a main gate just down the road, the Cockpit Steps are used by local workers heading to the posh offices that surround St James.It is however named after the Royal Cockpit which used to be next door, which was an inn that also carried out the barbaric — if at the time very popular — sport of cock fighting. Despite it&r