Sunday 21 March 2010

Rotherhithe - SE16

It is only recently that I could say with certainty that Rotherhithe was south of the river and that is because I started driving there - I think it's because the Thames does one of its many kinks at Rotherhithe so the east west thing is tricky.  Anyway - I've always liked Rotherhithe (even if I did think it was in East rather than South East London).  The river seems wider and moodier this far east and the area's past as commercial docklands is still evident.  We went there a couple of weekends ago to walk the Brunel tunnel to Wapping, but then it turned out that half of London had the same idea so we wandered around instead and it reminded me of just what a quirky and interesting area this is.  Last time I was there I had a beer at The Angel (pictured) and it did feel that at any moment smugglers were going to come into the bar demanding rum.  Just opposite this pub is a park with the ruins of a 14th century manor house - which kinda gives you the Rotherhithe vibe...history, lots of it!  There are lots of new flats - the nicest in converted warehouses and I think this would be a really cool place to live.  Pity about the tunnel - I really wanted to walk through it, but I should know by now that you need to get up early in this town to beat the crowds.

2 comments:

  1. Hmmmmm not sure about The Angel - can get pretty ropey in there!

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  2. I do admit - I have only been there once and that was 9 years ago! I had read that it can sometimes get a bit rowdy with football crowds so perhaps best to avoid on game days.

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