English Walks
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      • Walk: Sailing to Stepney Green
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      • Walk: Barnes Bridge to Fulham Palace
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Sailing to Stepney Green

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In the 11th century, Stepney was thought of as the capital of the East End.

The area continued to be rural for nearly all of the 18th century. However, the population expanded with the arrival of several immigrant communities:

*The Huguenots (17th century)
*The Irish (18th and 19th centuries)
*The Ashkenazi Jews (from 1880s)


As  industry developed and the population of London grew, Stepney had become an urban area by 1900.

By the second half of the 19th century, the area was dominated by overcrowded slums. Several philanthropists used their money to build better housing as well as create educational and leisure opportunities for the poor.

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A mural painted in 2011 which depicts the history of this area.
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Stepney Green, the historic centre of Stepney.
We meet at Stepney Green Station.
After a coffee to introduce ourselves and go over the first part of the English Worksheet, we begin our walk.

During the walk we pass:
  • Charringtons Anchor Brewery
  • Genesis Cinema
  • Wickham's Department Store
  • Stepney Green - 17th & 18th century houses; old Jewish synagogues; a clock tower; and gardens
  • Stepney Green City Farm
  • St Dunstan's Church
  • The Regent's Canal
  • The People's Palace
  • Mile End Place



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All that remains of the Charrington Anchor Brewery founded 1738



Did you know?
When Wickham's Department Store opened in 1890s, it was called Harrod's of the East End?

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Wickham's Department Store, 1890s

Go over the new vocabulary at the end.


At the end, relax over a tea and go over the new vocabulary together. Ask your teacher any questions.

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Built in 1896 by the 4% Industrial Dwellings Company to provide housing for the poor.
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A house in Stepney Green, 1690








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Captain Cook was one of many sailors who lived in Stepney
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Stepney City Farm

Did you know?
In 1979, local residents campaigned to use land that was bombed in World War II to create a community farm? Today, the farm's open six days a week and it's free. 

History notes will be given to you at the end.

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The Regent's Canal provided coal for the Commercial Gas Company in the 1820s.
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The huge gas pipes from the Commercial Gas Company, 1840s
Don't forget the VOCABULARY! You will find the vocabulary from your walk here ... 
















Did you know?
The area around Mile End Road was used by Londoners to assemble for public meetings, processions and campaigning.

Did you know?
St Dunstan's Church was called the 'Church of the High Seas'? Many sailors were buried here and there is a carving of a 'ship' over the entrance.


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The sailor's church, St Dunstan's
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St Dunstan's Church
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The devil's tongs! It's believed that Dunstan pinched the Devil's nose with a pair of tongs.




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The People's Palace was built in 1887 to provide education and culture to the poor. It was rebuilt in 1937 after a fire.
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The People's Palace
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Mile End Place, 19th century cottages. Behind the wall at the end, are two of the most historic Jewish cemeteries in the UK dating from the 1690s.
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"He who sails on the wide sea is a parishioner of Stepney."