Down Memory Lane: St Katharine's Dock and Aldgate

LOCAL HERITAGE WALKS from

TOYNBEE HALL

DOWN MEMORY LANE St Katharine’s Dock and Aldgate

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The Tower of London is one of Britain’s most remarkable buildings – a one-time royal palace, state prison, fortress and stronghold for the crown jewels. In the approach subway, fiery murals depict elements of its colourful history.

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Once a busy interchange for handling imports of tea, spices and wine, St Katharine’s Docks are now a tranquil haven – a place to stroll beside luxury yachts or enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of many eating places.

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At London Dock – a development of 1800 new homes – pavement panels set out a plethora of cargoes you might once have seen here, from tortoise shells to tobacco, potash to prunes. The dancing fountains are an added delight.

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Wilton’s Music Hall is the world’s oldest surviving grand music hall. It’s an atmospheric place for an entertaining night out; take your pick from over 80 productions each year or just enjoy a drink in the Mahogany Bar.

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to spot along the way

DID YOU SPOT THEM? Walking figures on the CitizenM hotel; Emperor Trajan beside a section of London Wall; crowns and beefeaters in the Tower of London subway; royal barge Gloriana moored at St Katharine’s Dock; sculptures depicting cargoes once handled in the docks; a giant riverside sundial with views over to Butler’s Wharf; the timber-framed Dickens Inn; ‘Trading Words’ inset into Gauging Square; Vitruvian Man at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; the Co-operative ‘Labor and Wait’ on Leman Street; and the former goods yard pump house on Hooper Street.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

CURIOSITIES

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The former Co-operative Wholesale Society offices and warehouses – built in 1887 – rise up on Leman Street, crowned by a clock tower. No 1 Prescot Street features a ‘co-operative’ hand-shake and beehive above the doorway.

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Pause to enjoy the lush gardens within Goodman’s Fields – a 900-flat development that occupies the footprint of the former London, Tilbury and Southend Railway goods yard.

Look out too for galloping horses!

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Tucked along Alie Street, St George’s German Lutheran Church was established by wealthy German sugar bakers in 1762, when this area was known as ‘Little Germany’. Today, it’s home to the Historic Chapels Trust.

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Architecturally, the former Eastern Dispensary wouldn’t look amiss among the gentlemen’s clubs on Pall Mall. Rebuilt in 1858 – “supported by voluntary contributions” – it provided free healthcare to East Enders in need.

TRADING PLACES, PAST AND PRESENT There are glimpses of industrial heritage around St Katharine’s Docks and Aldgate. On this walk, you’ll see how former docks, warehouses and railway goods yards have been transformed. In Aldgate, residential towers have sprouted up dramatically in recent years, providing highrise living on the City fringes.

Walk East, 2021

WALKEAST