add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
hypnosis therapy stop smoking in Rotherhithe london control eating... hypnotherapyinlondon.co.u... |
Coordinates: 51°29′56″N 0°02′33″W / 51.4989°N 0.0426°W
Rotherhithe (pronounced /ˈrɒðərhaɪð/) is a district of central south-east London in the London Borough of Southwark, England. It is located on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping and the Isle of Dogs on the north bank, and is a part of the Docklands area. Rotherhithe has been a port since the 12th century or earlier, and a shipyard since Elizabethan times.
[edit] GeographyRotherhithe is joined to the north bank of the Thames by three tunnels. The Thames Tunnel to Wapping was the first underwater tunnel in the world. Built by the Brunels originally to carry cross river freight, it became a pedestrian tunnel, due to the money running out to build the necessary ramps. It is now occupied by the East London Line of the London Underground, which since 23 December 2007 has been closed for conversion to become part of the London Overground network by summer 2010. The later Rotherhithe Tunnel (opened 1908) carries a two-lane road to Limehouse. The Jubilee Line extension (opened 1999) has a railway tunnel to Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs. Rotherhithe is part of the SE16 postal district. Electorally, the western half is Rotherhithe ward and the eastern half Surrey Docks ward. As much of Rotherhithe was covered by the now-defunct Surrey Commercial Docks, the district is sometimes referred to as Surrey Docks or (since the late 1980s) Surrey Quays, though the latter name tends to be used more for the southern half of the peninsula. An eastern part, which became in effect an island when the docks were in use and locks open, is called "Downtown". This name was never related to the idea of a "downtown" in the American sense, and indeed this part of Rotherhithe has since the 1980s been quiet and suburban in nature. [edit] History[edit] EtymologyThe name "Rotherhithe" derives from Anglo-Saxon hryðer-hȳð = "Landing-place for cattle" or from redhra-hyð = "Sailor haven". The first recorded use of this name is circa 1105, as Rederheia[1][2] In the past Rotherhithe has also been known as the cognate "Redriff".[3] [edit] DescriptionAlthough the docks were closed and largely filled in during the 1980s, and have now been replaced by modern housing and commercial facilities, Rotherhithe is still given a large part of its character by its former maritime heritage. The largest surviving dock on the south bank, Greenland Dock, is the focal point for the southern part of the district, while there are many preserved wharves along the riverside at the north end of Rotherhithe. St. Mary's Church is at the centre of the old town of Rotherhithe village, which contains various historic buildings including the Brunel Engine House at the south end of the Thames Tunnel.  Rotherhithe had its own general hospital, St Olave's Hospital, in Lower Road. Built originally in the early 1870s on land adjoining Rotherhithe Workhouse, it became the infirmary of St Olave's Union in 1875, and was renamed St Olave's Hospital in 1930. Subsequently becoming part of the Guy's Hospital Teaching Group in 1966, it closed in 1985 and the site has been redeveloped into the residential Ann Moss Way. When the roundabout facing the Rotherhithe Tunnel was redeveloped in the early 1980s, several nineteenth century buildings were demolished including a school and a nunnery. A public house described in an early twentieth century history of the area as one its oldest, was also demolished. Rotherhithe is the traditional home of the football team, Fisher Athletic F.C., although the team currently ground-shares with Dulwich Hamlet. The sustainable transport charity Sustrans has proposed the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian swing bridge from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf, and cost-benefit and feasibility studies were undertaken. In January 2009 the London Mayor Boris Johnson said he would not fund the bridge, citing budget cuts due to the credit crunch,[4] with the result that the project is effectively on ice for the time being. [edit]See also: Nordic churches in London  Because much of the former Surrey Docks had strong trade links to Scandinavia and the Baltic region the area is still home to a thriving Scandinavian community.[citation needed] During World War II, in fact, it housed the Norwegian Government-in-Exile. Originally established as seafarers' missions, Rotherhithe is home to a Norwegian,[5] a Finnish[6] and a Swedish[7] church. The Finnish Church and the Norwegian Church are both located in Albion Street; they were built in 1958 and 1927 respectively (Rotherhithe Library is located between them). There are also a number of "community centres" for the Nordic community in London, including hostels, shops and cafés and even a sauna, mostly linked closely to the churches. Some of the redeveloped areas were built by Nordic architects, such as the Greenland Passage development[8] by Danish Company Kjaer & Richter. This gives some areas a distinctly "Nordic" feel in terms of house and street design. The relationship with Scandinavia and the Baltic is also reflected in the names of some of the buildings (such as the King Frederik IX Tower),[8] the street names (e.g. Sweden Gate, Baltic Quay, Norway Gate, Helsinki Square) or other place names (e.g. Greenland Dock). Another major influence factor was trade with Russia and Canada (mainly timber), reflected in names such as Canada Water[9] and the Russia Dock Woodland. Other connections include with the Indian subcontinent, with wharves being named Bombay Court and East India court. A neo-Indian community has also now found root here with many young upcoming Indian professionals moving to London to work in the technology, financial services and legal professions. The proximity to the City and Canary Wharf has made this a convenient choice and hub for graduates from the Indian Institutes of Technology. [edit] MayflowerThe ship, the Mayflower sailed from Rotherhithe for Massachusetts in 1620 with the group of emigrants that later became known as the "Pilgrim Fathers".[10] The ship's captain, Christopher Jones, died shortly after his return in 1621 and he is buried in an unmarked grave at St Mary's Church. The Mayflower sailed from near the Shippe public house in Rotherhithe Street, which was substantially rebuilt in the 18th century and is now named the Mayflower.[11] Several buildings and areas pay tribute to this journey and the connection it establishes with different parts of the New World and with Holland. Among these is Leydon Close, named after Leiden in Holland, where the pilgrims lived before the Mayflower voyage. [edit] Notable people associated with Rotherhithe
[edit] Cultural references
[edit] Main sights
[edit] Transport
The riverbank is path of the Richmond to Thames Barrier (28 miles – 45 km) section of the Thames Path through London. Most of the riverbank is accessible, apart from sections where warehouses and estates have established rights to the riverside.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] Maps
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
