Originally built by the Romans, Bishopsgate stood as oney northern gates into the city of London( of which there were seven), named for its historical association with the Bishop of London, who traditionally held jurisdiction over the area. The area was originally named after the 7th-century Bishop of London, or Bishop's Gate.  It is additionally estimated to be the first, by some historians, of the seven. The actual structure of the gate was built at least three times, and despite being built by the Romans, is true to the 1700s. This is evident in the depictions of the gate.

Holmes and Watson travel by train to Leatherhead to reach the fictional Stoke Moran. The railway station at Leatherhead opened in 1859.