23 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DE
Philpot Lane Mice Sculpture
Tiny historic site
Place photograph
3.0
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.0Two tiny mice tussle over a piece of cheese on the wall of a Victorian City building. Their origin is unknown; the dramatic tale that links them to a fatal scaffolding accident is local legend, not verified history.
This is a brief urban discovery rather than a wild landscape: a small, easy-to-miss sculpture with a disputed story, tucked into the historic street fabric of the City of London.
Quirky
Find your way
Open map23 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DE
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The experience
A quick street-side stop to find the mice and inspect the details of the Victorian building around them. It is not a nature destination and has limited standalone visit depth.
Things to do
Find the two mice
Look up at the exterior wall of 23 Eastcheap for the small carving of two mice struggling over a piece of cheese.
A few minutes
Inspect the building’s exterior details
The Victorian building is described as having barley-twist columns and animal heads near the eaves; look up from the street to see what is visible.
A few minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick mouse-spotting stop
- 01
Go to the junction of Philpot Lane and Eastcheap.
- 02
Look up at the exterior of 23 Eastcheap to find the two mice sharing—or fighting over—a piece of cheese.
- 03
Take a moment to notice the building’s described architectural details, including barley-twist columns and animal heads near the eaves.
Verified history
The building at 23 Eastcheap was built between 1861 and 1862 as offices and warehousing for spice merchants Hunt and Crombie, to a design by John Young and Son. The source says the sculpture’s definitive origin is unknown. The mice are described as a carving on the building’s exterior.
Folklore & legend
One local tale says two workmen argued over missing lunches while working on scaffolding; they supposedly fell to their deaths before it was discovered that mice had taken the food, and the sculpture was made in their memory. This is an unverified legend, not established history. Another version attributes the mice to actual rodents stealing workers’ sandwiches, without the fatal accident.
Hidden details
A Victorian façade above the mice — The building’s barley-twist columns and animal heads near the eaves are additional details to look for while viewing the sculpture from the street.
When to go
· Daylight, when the small carving is easier to see.
The supplied sources give no seasonal reason to visit.
An exterior street-side stop; no weather-specific access information is supplied.
What to look for
Look up at the exterior wall for two mice competing over a piece of cheese. The nearby building is described as having barley-twist columns and animal heads near the eaves.
The story
Folklore & legend
Best time to go
Any season
Daylight makes it easier to see the small carving. No seasonal timing is established by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
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Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A small exterior carving on the building at 23 Eastcheap, viewed from the street. The supplied sources describe it as publicly viewable; check locally before visiting.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance, but does not establish the condition or accessibility of the viewing position on the pavement. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Philpot Lane Mice Sculpture
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph5.3St Margaret Pattens
Rood Lane, Eastcheap, City of London, London EC3M 1HS
0.1 km away
Source image3.7Londinium Original Roman Basilica Site
85 Gracechurch Street, City of London, EC3V 0DN
0.2 km away