Why does traffic entering and leaving the Savoy Hotel in London drive on the right?
FOR more than 100 years now vehicles, be they horse drawn or mechanical, have entered and left 'Savoy Court' on the right-hand side of the road. This is due primarily to the construction of the 'court'. When approaching and leaving the hotel it is easier to do so while driving on the right-hand side of the road. Savoy Court is privately owned property. It is not a public thoroughfare as it leads only to the hotel itself. Therefore driving on the right-hand side of the road does not contravene British traffic regulations. Finally, it may be of interest to note that when being chauffeured in a horse-drawn carriage the lady or dignitary would traditionally sit behind the driver. By approaching the hotel on the right-hand side of the road, either the chauffeur or the hotel's doorman was able to open the door without walking around the car. This would allow the lady to alight from the carriage and walk straight into the hotel.
Rory Macfarlane, Press Office, Savoy Hotel, London WC2.
A SPECIAL Act of Parliament gave traffic the privilege of driving on the right when entering Savoy Court from the Strand because the Savoy Theatre is on the right-hand side. Taxis can deposit their fares directly outside the theatre without turning round in front of the Savoy Hotel, and when leaving they are then free to pick a new fare from the hotel as they turn around.
Peter Jackson, Chairman, London Topographical Society, London W5.
It might also be of interest that the small roundabout at the main entrance meant that vehicles needed a turning circle of 25' in order to navigate it. To this day, this is the legally required turning circle of all London taxis.
James Hamling, London
Contrary to what Rory McFarlane says Savoy Court leads to the Savoy Theatre as well as to the hotel.
Richard Jones, Bristol UK