Rotherhithe has been a port since the 12th century or earlier, and a shipyard since the Elizabethan era. It used to be part of the county of Surrey until the GLC (Greater London Council) got hold of the boundaries.
It 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 Brunel originally to carry cross-river freight, it became a pedestrian tunnel when money ran out. It is now part of the London Overground network.
Surrey Commercial Docks covered much of Rotherhithe. The docks operated in one form or another from 1696 to 1969. Surrey Water (originally Surrey Basin and Surrey Canal Basin), is one of the few that remain. Many of the docks were closed and largely filled in during the 1980s. However, Rotherhithe still retains character from its former maritime heritage.
Because much of the former Surrey Docks had strong trade links to Scandinavia, the area is still home to a thriving Scandinavian community. During World War II Rotherhithe housed the Norwegian Government-in-Exile. Originally established as seafarers’ missions, Rotherhithe is home to both a Norwegian and a Finnish church. The relationship with Scandinavia and the Baltic is reflected in the names of some of the buildings and street names (e.g. Sweden Gate, Baltic Quay, Norway Gate, Helsinki Square, Greenland Dock etc). The area is steeped in maritime history, far too much to list here.
One of our most famous sons is Michael Caine, born here in 1933, his mother a cook and charwoman, his dad a fish market porter.
Congratulations to -KROP- for FTF, Second - Loony Londo. And also congrats go to VAUC for first to find after re-enabling, and Martybartfast for persisting!
