What is an alley?
An alley (or alleyway) is a narrow street or passage between buildings, often too narrow for cars. A true alley usually links two larger streets and has houses or shops along it, sometimes on one side only. Alleys are typical of old town centres that kept their medieval street pattern. The Dutch word is steeg.
Types and local names
- Dead-end alley (blind alley): an alley closed at one end.
- Back lane or back alley: a narrow lane behind a row of houses giving access to gardens and rear doors, often gated.
- Gap between buildings: a very narrow strip between two side walls, mainly there to carry off rainwater, is not a street at all (in Dutch: ozendrop).
British English has many regional words for a narrow passage: ginnel (Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester), snicket (Yorkshire), twitten (Sussex), jitty (East Midlands), entry (Merseyside, parts of the West Midlands) and cut (North East).
Application
- Find out who owns it. A public alley is usually maintained by the council, but many back lanes are private: owned by one or more neighbours, or crossed by a right of way (an easement). Check your title deeds and the land registry entry.
- Keep it clear. An alley or back lane can be an escape route or an access for emergency services. Do not put up a shed, bin store or gate without checking whether you are allowed to.
- Ask before building. A canopy, bay window or extension that projects into or over an alley usually needs consent from the local authority and sometimes from the landowner. Rules differ by country and municipality.
- Watch for damp. Narrow alleys get little sun and wind. Make sure rainwater drains away and that walls facing the alley do not stay wet.
Common mistake: assuming a back lane is public because everybody uses it. Before arranging lighting, a gate or repairs, find out who owns it and what rights the neighbours have.
Related terms
- Easement
- Building line
- Canopy
- Facade
- City block
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