In the shadow of The Shard:
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe

Did you know?
During the 19th century, Bermondsey
was London's principle leather-working centre.

Bermondsey developed because of the leather trade. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, there was open countryside and a constant supply of water from the Thames and other smaller rivers. Today, we can see the many surviving buildings used for the leather trade. Several road names come from this trade too.

Rotherhithe was a principle area for boats and ships bringing cargo to London. There were docks here from the 17th century. It is also famous as being the place from where the ship, The Mayflower, sailed to America carrying The Pilgrim Fathers. Today, the docks have gone but we see many of the old wharves (buildings to store cargo from ships) that have become residential.

---

No 7 Grange Walk is thought to be part of the original gatehouse from Bermondsey Abbey.

We meet at London Bridge Station

We introduce ourselves over coffee before beginning the walk

On the walk we see:

• London Leather Hide & Wool Exchange buildings - 1879, showing different processes of leather-making
• Time & Talents Settlement - 1887. Later to help poor factory girls.
  
• St Mary Magdalen Church - 1690
• Bermondsey Square - on the site of Bermondsey Abbey
• The Railway Bridge that carried the first railway line to open in London.
• St Saviour's Dock and Jacob's Island
  
• Edward III's 14th century manor house
  
• Rotherhithe Street - one of London's longest streets
• The Mayflower Pub
  
• Brunel's Engine House
  

Did you know?
In 1843, Christy & Co was the largest
hat maker in the world. The chemicals
used made the workers tremble .

Gardens in Bermondsey, on the site of a workhouse for the poor.

Go over the  new vocabulary at the end

We finish at Rotherhithe where we relax over a coffee while we go over then new vocabulary together.

Ask your teacher and guide any questions.

St Mary Magdalen Church, Bermondsey

Rotherhithe Station is on the Overground Line. It is easy to change and go to any of the mainline stations.

The Mayflower Pub, Rotherhithe

You can find dates and prices here.

History notes will be given to you at the end.

Don't forget the VOCABULARY!
After your walk, find the new vocab here ...

Sculpture showing a 17th century Pilgrim Father.

Concordia Wharf leads to St Saviour's Dock and the site of Jacob's Island.

Did you know?
Charles Dickens used Jacob's Island in his book, Oliver Twist to describe the poverty in London.

Bermondsey Abbey

St Saviour's Dock. the River Neckinger flowed into the Thames here. It is now one of London's many 'lost' rivers.