Rotherhithe: Old and New (and with a history connection to St Paul's Cray)
Our new little book [Price £2] published in November 2025 celebrates the history and regeneration of Rotherhithe, an area of south London that is rich in maritime and engineering history. Our front cover shows Tia Hollyer's modern-day photo of the eye-catching colourful sculpture of the deal porters whose work was central to the maritime economy of old Rotherhithe. Who were the deal porters? They specialised in stacking timber planks imported from Russia and Scandinavia when the Rotherhithe waterfront brimmed with cargo being loaded or unloaded from all parts of the world.
Later, starting in the 1980s, the area was redeveloped as housing through a mix of warehouse and workshop conversions and new-build developments. The docks had been closed and were largely filled in or were left as freshwater landscaped attractions with benefit to the environment and the local ecology. Characterised today as a gentrifying residential and commuter area with modern housing and commercial facilities; also a vibrant transport hub; Rotherhithe still retains much of the beautifully preserved atmosphere and heritage of its famous past.
Our new little book [Price £2] published in November 2025 celebrates the history and regeneration of Rotherhithe, an area of south London that is rich in maritime and engineering history. Our front cover shows Tia Hollyer's modern-day photo of the eye-catching colourful sculpture of the deal porters whose work was central to the maritime economy of old Rotherhithe. Who were the deal porters? They specialised in stacking timber planks imported from Russia and Scandinavia when the Rotherhithe waterfront brimmed with cargo being loaded or unloaded from all parts of the world.
Later, starting in the 1980s, the area was redeveloped as housing through a mix of warehouse and workshop conversions and new-build developments. The docks had been closed and were largely filled in or were left as freshwater landscaped attractions with benefit to the environment and the local ecology. Characterised today as a gentrifying residential and commuter area with modern housing and commercial facilities; also a vibrant transport hub; Rotherhithe still retains much of the beautifully preserved atmosphere and heritage of its famous past.
'This splendid old (1935) photograph shows the Rotherhithe Tunnel, built between 1829 and 1843, the first ever tunnel to run beneath the River Thames. It was one of the greatest of many legendary engineering feats by Marc Isambard Brunel. There is a Brunel Museum in the Rotherhithe village today - and with a lovely roof garden too.
The Mayflower set sail from Rotherhithe in 1620 taking Pilgrims to the 'New World' of America. They sought to practise their Puritan beliefs without the restraints imposed upon them at home. That very famous voyage is very visibly commemorated in modern-day Rotherhithe: for example by a blue plaque on the church tower, a historic 16th-century waterfront pub, and the bronze figures [Photo] beside the river.
More than three centuries later there was another significant journey from Rotherhithe. This time the 'New World' destination was St Paul's Cray in Kent! A new 'London overspill' housing estate started to be built in 1948 for purpose of rehousing families bombed out of their homes in the dockland areas of south London including Bermondsey, Deptford, Peckham and Rotherhithe. Some 10,000 people moved into the 6,000 new residences in the St Paul's Cray estate to the west of the A224 Sevenoaks Way. It was the only one of the post-war 'New Towns' or 'London overspill' estates that came to Kent.
Today, Rotherhithe has grown a whole new population attracted by the new apartment housing, the close proximity to London and the amenities that seek to make living there a positive, pleasant and above all a practical experience, even for families with children.
Our new book can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or via e-mail [email protected]
More than three centuries later there was another significant journey from Rotherhithe. This time the 'New World' destination was St Paul's Cray in Kent! A new 'London overspill' housing estate started to be built in 1948 for purpose of rehousing families bombed out of their homes in the dockland areas of south London including Bermondsey, Deptford, Peckham and Rotherhithe. Some 10,000 people moved into the 6,000 new residences in the St Paul's Cray estate to the west of the A224 Sevenoaks Way. It was the only one of the post-war 'New Towns' or 'London overspill' estates that came to Kent.
Today, Rotherhithe has grown a whole new population attracted by the new apartment housing, the close proximity to London and the amenities that seek to make living there a positive, pleasant and above all a practical experience, even for families with children.
Our new book can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or via e-mail [email protected]