Ah, memories of school holidays past. That's when the Monopoly board would come out and fill afternoons buying and selling properties with funny names based on an unimaginably posh city faraway. At least that is what it was in my mind.
In Australia we traditionally play the UK version of Monopoly with dollars instead of pounds. On coming to London for the first time, we just had to seek out these places that formed a memorable part of our childhoods. In Monopoly get-up, of course!
Come with us as we journey around London visiting the properties found on the original British board.
Purple/Maroon Square: Old Kent Road
American version: Mediterranean Avenue
Purple/Maroon Square: Whitechapel Road
American version: Baltic Avenue
Light Blue Square: The Angel Islington
American version: Oriental Avenue
Light Blue Square: Euston Road
American version: Vermont Avenue
Light Blue Square: Pentonville Road
American version: Connecticut Avenue
Maroon/Pink Square: Pall Mall
American version: St. Charles Place
Maroon/Pink Square: Whitehall
American version: States Avenue
Maroon/Pink Square: Northumberland Avenue
American version: Virginia Avenue
Orange Square: Bow Street
American version: St. James Place
Orange Square: Marlborough Street
American version: Tennessee Avenue
Orange Square: Vine Street
American version: New York Avenue
Why Vine Street was included on the Monopoly board is anyone's guess. In reality it's a dead-end that serves as a goods delivery entrance for a hotel. It wasn't the cheapest of the properties either. But we could smell cookies – that's gotta add to property value!
Red Square: The Strand
American version: Kentucky Avenue
Red Square: Fleet Street
American version: Indiana Avenue
Red Square: Trafalgar Square
American version: Illinois Avenue
Yellow Square: Leicester Square
American version: Atlantic Avenue
Yellow Square: Coventry Street
American version: Ventnor Avenue
Yellow Square: Piccadilly
American version: Marvin Gardens
Green Square: Regent Street
American version: Pacific Avenue
Green Square: Oxford Street
American version: North Carolina Avenue
Green Square: Bond Street
American version: Pennsylvania Avenue
Now onto the prime positions on the board!
Dark Blue Square: Park Lane
American version: Park Place
Dark Blue Square: Mayfair
American version: Boardwalk
And the stations!
White Square: King's Cross Station
American version: Reading Railroad
White Square: Marylebone Station
American version: Pennsylvania Railroad
White Square: Fenchurch Street Station
American version: B. & O. Railroad
White Square: Liverpool Street Station
American version: Short Line
Go directly to jail. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200.
Where “jail” is might not be specified on the board, but we couldn't resist including it on our adventure. Tower of London it is!
GIVEAWAY TIME! Nomads, would you like to win a 12-month Hostelworld Gold Card Membership? That means the waiving of all your Hostelworld service fees for a full year from activation!
To gain two entries into the draw, tell us your favourite Monopoly property (could be one listed here or from the version you play) by commenting on this post by 1 December 2013.
Head on over to our Facebook page and tell us your favourite Monopoly property there by commenting on the post pinned to the top of the page (also by 1 December 2013) to receive one extra entry!
Maximum number of entries per person: 3.
We have two of these awesome memberships to give away! Winners will be drawn at random and will be notified by email or Facebook. Good luck!
Getting Close To
Sunday 1st of December 2013
This is such a great way to explore London along with that wondrous feeling of nostalgia!
Jessica Korteman
Tuesday 25th of March 2014
Definitely! It shows you many different sides of the city too so it's actually a great way to get to know London as a visitor.
Getting Close To
Sunday 1st of December 2013
I love this! What a great way to explore London with the wondrous feeling of nostalgia.
Britt Skrabanek
Saturday 30th of November 2013
Ha! Love these so much! Were people stopping and taking photos of you and your cutesy mustache? : )
Jessica Korteman
Tuesday 25th of March 2014
Thanks, Britt! A few people had a bit of a chuckle. Didn't get "papped" as they say here (do you use this term in the States too?), but would like to think we made someone's day. ;)
Caroline Good Mitchell
Monday 25th of November 2013
Hello my favourite London monopoly property is king cross station and my favourite Irish one is Grafton street:-)
Jessica Korteman
Monday 25th of November 2013
Hi Caroline! I'd love to play the Irish version! Do you play with Euros?
Juliann
Friday 22nd of November 2013
Cute pictures and cute post! I am such an American; only the American version names mean anything to me. But it's interesting to think of those magical squares as faraway places instead of common spots here. And now I want to play with pounds instead of dollars! That would be a hoot.
Jessica Korteman
Monday 25th of November 2013
Thanks, Juliann! You should definitely give the UK version a play! :)