View of 228-232 Strand, City of Westminster (south side). A major thoroughfare, the Strand runs east to west from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar. Named from the Old English ‘strond’, meaning the edge of a river, as before modern embankments and land reclamation it ran alongside the north bank of the River Thames. On the left at number 231-232 is Thanet House, a five-storey building with attics and two small cupolas on the roof. Named after Thanet Place on whose site it was built, itself named after the Earl of Thanet who owned the land. The ground floor shop is ABC Bakeries, formerly the Aerated Bread Company founded in 1862 by Dr John Dauglish who had patented a new method of bread making. In the window is an advertisement for 'Belgian Buns 5d'. The upper floors advertise 'Morris Hadley and Company, Estate Agents and Surveyors', and 'Brandis Davis Publicity Agency'. The building is now a small supermarket; but the sign for the Aerated Bread Company is still visible. Number 230 is a late-seventeenth or early-eighteenth century four-storey terrace house with shop on the ground floor, Grade II listed, number 1236756. Number 229 is of a similar date and was originally built as the home of the gatekeeper of Temple Bar, one of the gates through London's Wall. It survived the Great Fire of London and is Grade II* listed number 1264444. Both buildings are occupied by The Wig and Pen Club; an exclusive private members club since 1908, directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice and hence where gossip was sold to journalists by those appearing in court. It closed in 2003 and is now a restaurant. Number 228 is a four-storey building with semi-circular attic with railings. The upper floors have bowed windows and include the office of the 'Guardian Assurance Group'. Founded in 1821 as Guardian Fire & Life, in 1968 it merged with Royal Exchange Assurance to form Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance. It is now a restaurant.