Cannon Street runs nearly parallel with the River Thames, about 250 metres north of it, in the south of the City of London.
The London Stone, from which distances were measured in Roman times, was originally situated in the middle of Cannon Street.
The area around Cannon Street was initially the place of residence of the candle-makers. The name first appears as Candelwrichstrete (i.e. "Candlewright Street") in 1190. The name was shortened over 60 times as a result of the local dialect and settled on Cannon Street in the 17th century. It is not related to firearms.
In the late Victorian period, Cannon Street was occupied by large warehouses - especially of cotton goods.
