On a warm summer’s evening, members of the Society enjoyed a walking tour through Rotherhithe; redeveloped docks and historic fishing village, led by Blue Badge Tourist Guide Caroline Piper. We explored the waterscape of the redeveloped Surrey Commercial Docks, enjoying the peace and quiet and open skies of Greenland Dock and Russia Dock Woodland. A highlight was climbing Stave Hill, for fantastic views over both the City of London and Canary Wharf. A fascinating model of the old Surrey docks helped to contextualise where we had been walking, much of which would once have been under water.
From here we walked to Surrey Water and the river Thames to enjoy the views, before exploring the historic centre of Rotherhithe village with the famous Mayflower pub, the entrance to the Brunel tunnel under the river Thames and the lovely parish church of St Mary’s. The burials in this churchyard, of Captain Christopher Jones (who sailed the Mayflower to the New World and back) and Prince Lee Boo (a Pacific Island Prince) illuminated how this small London maritime neighbourhood played a global role!
After the tour several of the group retired to a nearby pub for a refreshing drink, whilst watching a beautiful pink sunset over London.
Organised by Caroline Piper