Covent Garden in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The London Gasketeers

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

1. The London Gasketeers Marker

Inscription.
The campaign to save Westminster's historic gas street lamps began here 2021

Erected by British Gas London Lamplighters.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 2021.

Location. 51° 30.642′ N, 0° 7.646′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Covent Garden. It is on Cecil Court east of Charing Cross Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 Cecil Court, City of Westminster, England WC2N 4EZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (a few steps from this marker); The Salisbury (within shouting distance of this marker); Flicker Alley

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Al Bowlly (within shouting distance of this marker); Brewmaster (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bear & Staff (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sidney Webb (about 90 meters away); Old Slaughters Coffee House (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.

Also see . . .
1. A Brief History of London's Gas Lamps (London Gasketeers). Excerpt:

The first recorded public street lighting powered by gas was demonstrated in Pall Mall, London, on 28 January 1807. In June of that year, a line of gas street lights was illuminated by Frederick Winsor, an engineer, to celebrate the birthday of King George III. Each one was fed with gas pipes made from the up-cycled barrels of obsolete musket guns.

In 1812, Parliament granted a charter to the London and Westminster Gas Light and Coke Company, the world's first gas company. Less than two years later, on 31 December 1813, Westminster Bridge was lit by gas-fuelled street lamps.

…Today, there are around 1,300 functioning gas fuelled street lamps in London, of which 270 or
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 26, 2026

2. The London Gasketeers Marker - wide view, looking west on Cecil Court
The marker is visible here on the left, next to the “BB” sign, with a gas lamp front and center.
so are found in the borough of Westminster City.

The British Gas team of London Lamplighters maintain these 1,300 gas lamps, with great dedication, skill and love for their 200 year old traditions. Their territory ranges from Richmond Bridge in the West to Bromley-by-Bow in the East. The long avenue of Kensington Palace Gardens is lit only by gas lamps. Each lamp is visited on a fortnightly rotation. Their mechanisms need to be wound and adjusted to the season's sunrise and sunset. The glass is polished and the ‘mantles’ are replaced. Each lamp base is marked with the crest of the monarch in the year it was erected. The oldest gas lamps in London can be found on Birdcage Walk with King George IV’s insignia.

(Submitted on April 14, 2026.)

2. Campaign fighting to save hundreds of London's gas lamps (BBC, 3 October 2022). (Submitted on April 14, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.