Sitting along the south bank of the Thames in the London Borough of Southwark in south-east London, Rotherhithe is a largely residential district within the Docklands area. Rotherhithe has a long maritime history; its shipyards date back to Elizabethan times and continued to function right up until the 1970s.
Owing to its shipping history, you can find lots of trendy warehouse conversions in Rotherhithe, as well as new-build developments and more upmarket housing built along the river following redevelopment.
Fulfilling your lifestyle dreams…
The Brunel Museum celebrates the first ever underwater tunnel, which was built on the museum site in 1843. With the help of his teenage son Isambard, engineer Marc Brunel designed the tunnel using pioneering technology and techniques. His aim was to provide pedestrians with an alternative to the bridges, with a view to reducing the congestion around the busy River Thames. The tunnel is still functional today, though it is now used by trains. For a fascinating and educational day out, the museum offers guided tours of the tunnel shaft, beginning at Bermondsey Tube station.
For an after work tipple that takes you back through the ages, drop into local favourite The Mayflower. With its leaded windows and blackened beams you will get a great feel for the area’s past, and from the terrace there are fantastic views of the river. If you’re feeling peckish, you can then head over to the Street Feast indoor night market at Hawker House in Canada Water.
Here you’ll be able to please your palate with something delicious from the huge range of street food stalls, including Yum Bun’s baozi, Club Mexicana, Chin Chin Labs ice cream, or stop by the ‘Cluck Truck’ for Mother Clucker’s famous cajun fries. The night market also contains eight different bars, and if you’re feeling brave you could try your luck at the very dangerous sounding ‘whisky roulette’. Open every Friday and Saturday from 5pm until late, and admission free before 7pm.
Getting around
Rotherhithe Overground train station (Zone 2) is located on the East London Line, between Wapping and Canada Water. The closest Underground station is Canada Water on the Jubilee Line from where you can get to Canary Wharf in 2 minutes and London Bridge in 4 minutes. Buses serving Rotherhithe include the 1, 47, 188, 199, 225, 381, C10, N199 and N381.
Families will love
Just across the Thames from Canary Wharf and covering over two acres, the Surrey Docks Farm was established in the late 1970s when locals wanted a place to grow their own food. The farm is home to a range of fluffy friends and creepy crawlies, but the real star of the show is Keira, the resident miniature Shetland pony, who is always a big hit with small children. The farm is an educational facility too, and offers lessons in beekeeping, animal husbandry and natural fabric dyeing.
There are plenty of primary schools in Rotherhithe, including Albion Primary School, St Joseph’s RC Primary School and Redriff Primary School. Good local secondary schools include St Michael’s Catholic College and the Spa School. To discover properties within the catchment area, contact Franklyn James, sales and letting agents Rotherhithe.
