Road · Southwark · SE1 · Contributed by The Underground Map

JANUARY

1

2000

Southwark

Southwark is the area immediately south of London Bridge, opposite the City of London.

Southwark is on a previously marshy area south of the River Thames. Recent excavation has revealed prehistoric activity including evidence of early ploughing, burial mounds and ritual activity. The area was originally a series of islands in the River Thames. This formed the best place to bridge the Thames and the area became an important part of Londinium owing its importance to its position as the endpoint of the Roman London Bridge. Two Roman roads, Stane Street and Watling Street, met at Southwark in what is now Borough High Street.

At some point the Bridge fell or was pulled down. Southwark and the city seem to have become largely deserted during the Early Middle Ages. Archaeologically, evidence of settlement is replaced by a largely featureless soil called the Dark Earth which probably (although this is contested) represents an urban area abandoned.

Southwark appears to recover only during the time of King Alfred and his successors. Sometime in and around 886 AD the Bridge was rebuilt and the City and Southwark restored. Southwark was called ’Suddringa Geworc’ which means the ’defensive works of the men of Surrey’. It was probably fortified to defend the bridge and hence the re-emerging City of London to the north. This defensive role is highlighted by the use of the Bridge as a defense against King Swein, his son King Cnut and in 1066, against King William the Conqueror. He failed to force the Bridge during the Norman conquest of England, but Southwark was devastated.

Much of Southwark was originally owned by the church - the greatest reminder of monastic London is Southwark Cathedral, originally the priory of St Mary Overy.

During the Middle Ages, Southwark remained outside of the control of the City and was a haven for criminals and free traders, who would sell goods and conduct trades outside the regulation of the City Livery Companies. An important market - later to become known as the Borough Market - was established there some time in the 13th century. The area was renowned for its inns, especially The Tabard, from which Chaucer’s pilgrims set off on their journey in The Canterbury Tales.

After many decades’ petitioning, in 1550, Southwark was incorporated into the City of London as ’The Ward of Bridge Without’. It became the entertainment district for London, and it was also the red-light area. In 1599, William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre was built on the South Bank in Southwark, though it burned down in 1613. A modern replica, also called the Globe, has been built near the original site. Southwark was also a favorite area for entertainment like bull and bear-baiting. There was also a famous fair in Southwark which took place near the Church of St. George the Martyr. William Hogarth depicted this fair in his engraving of Southwark Fair (1733).

In 1844 the railway reached Southwark with the opening of London Bridge station.

In 1861 the Great Fire of Southwark destroyed a large number of buildings between Tooley Street and the Thames, including those around Hays Wharf, where Hays Galleria was later built, and blocks to the west almost as far as St Olave’s Church.

In 1899 Southwark was incorporated along with Newington and Walworth into the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, and in 1965 this was incorporated with the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell and Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey into the London Borough of Southwark.

Southwark tube station was opened on 20 November 1999 as part of the Jubilee Line Extension.

The original plan for the Extension did not include a station between those at Waterloo and London Bridge; Southwark station was added after lobbying by the local council. Although it is close to Waterloo, not near the Bankside attractions it was intended to serve, and its only rail interchange is to London Waterloo East mainline station; the passenger usage matches those of other minor central stations. It does however get over double the traffic of nearby Borough station and around triple Lambeth North.

LOCATIONS ON THE UNDERGROUND MAP

Aldgate:   Aldgate was a gateway through London Wall from the City of London to Whitechapel and the East End.
Aldgate East:   In a land east of Aldgate, lies the land of Aldgate East...
Beormund Primary School:   Community special school which accepts students between the ages of 5 and 11.
Bermondsey:   What's in a name?
Bermondsey Spa Gardens:   
Blackfriars Bridge railway station:   Blackfriars Bridge railway station was a railway station on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LC&DR). It was constructed in 1864 and, for six months, was the northern terminus for a line from Herne Hill via Loughborough Junction. It was part of a scheme by the company to extend into the City of London. It ceased to be the terminus when the line was extended across the River Thames to Ludgate Hill where a temporary station in New Bridge Street was opened on 21 December 1864.
Blackfriars Road railway station:   Blackfriars Road (Blackfriars Bridge) railway station was a station on Blackfriars Road in south London on the South Eastern Railway between Charing Cross and London Bridge stations. The former entrance under the railway bridge is still clearly marked.
Boar’s Head Theatre:   The Boar’s Head Theatre was an inn-yard theatre in the Whitechapel area.
Boutcher Church of England Primary School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 5 and 11.
Cherry Garden School:   Community special school which accepts students between the ages of 2 and 11.
City of London Academy (Southwark):   Academy sponsor led (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 19. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
Cobourg Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Coin Street Family & Children’s Centre:   This is a children’s centre.
Compass School Southwark:   Free schools (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
David Game College:   Other independent school which accepts students between the ages of 13 and 22. Admissions policy: Non-selective.
English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Goodman’s Fields Theatre:   Two 18th century theatres bearing the name Goodman’s Fields Theatre were located on Alie Street, Whitechapel.
Grange Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Harris Academy Bermondsey:   Academy sponsor led (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
Harry Gosling Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Hermitage Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Holy Trinity, Minories:   Holy Trinity, Minories was a Church of England parish church outside the eastern boundaries of the City of London, but within the Liberties of the Tower of London.
Hopton's Almshouses:   Hopton Street has had almshouses since 1752.
Kintore Way Nursery School and Children’s Centre:   Local authority nursery school (Nursery) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 5.
London Christian School:   Other independent school which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
London Enterprise Academy:   Free schools (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 16.
London Nautical School:   Foundation school (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
Mudchute Kitchen Frizzante:   
Mudchute Park:   Mudchute Park and Farm is a large urban park and farm just south of Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs.
Mudchute Park and Farm:   
Phoenix Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Portsoken:   Portsoken is one of 25 wards in the City of London, each electing an alderman to the Court of Aldermen and commoners (the City equivalent of a councillor) elected to the Court of Common Council of the City of London Corporation.
Riverside Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Snowsfields Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Southwark:   Southwark is the area immediately south of London Bridge, opposite the City of London.
Spa School:   Community special school which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 19.
St Botolph’s:   St. Botolph’s without Aldgate, located on Aldgate High Street, has existed for over a thousand years.
St James’ Church of England Primary School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 5 and 11.
St Michael’s Catholic College:   Academy converter (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
St Paul’s Whitechapel Church of England Primary School:   Voluntary aided school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Church of England School:   Voluntary aided school (Secondary) which accepts students between the ages of 11 and 18. Admissions policy: Comprehensive (secondary).
Tate Modern:   Tate Modern is the most-visited modern art gallery in the world, with around 4.7 million visitors per year.
The Ring:   The Ring was a boxing stadium which once stood on Blackfriars Road in Southwark.
Tower Bridge Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.
Tower Gateway:   Tower Gateway is a Docklands Light Railway station near to the Tower of London.
Tower Hill:   Tower Hill is an elevated spot outside the Tower of London and just outside the limits of the City of London.
Townsend Primary School:   Community school (Primary) which accepts students between the ages of 3 and 11.

PHOTOS OF THE AREA

Bridge House:   The building with the canopy is Bridge House, George Row, Bermondsey, in 1926.

NEARBY STREETS AND BUILDINGS ON THE UNDERGROUND MAP

Abbey Gardens, SE1 · Abbey Gardens, SE16 · Abbey Street, SE1 · Abbots Lane, SE1 · Abercorn Way, SE1 · Aberdour Street, SE1 · Achilles Close, SE1 · Alderman Stairs, E1W · Alderman Stairs, SE1 · Aldgate Bus Garage, EC3N · Aldgate High Street, EC3N · Alexis Street, SE16 · Alice Street, SE1 · Alie Street, E1 · Alma Grove, SE1 · Alscot Road, SE1 · Alscot Road, SE16 · Alscot Way, SE1 · America Square, EC3N · Anchor Terrace, SE1 · Archie Street, SE1 · Artichoke Hill, E1W · Asher Way, E1W · Asher Way, E98 · Assam Street, E1 · Avocet Close, SE1 · Avondale Pavement, SE1 · Avondale Square, SE1 · Back Church Lane, E1 · Back Mews, SE4 · Bacon Grove, SE1 · Balaclava Road, SE1 · Bank End, SE1 · Bankside way, SE19 · Bankside, SE1 · Barge House Street, SE1 · Barnham Street, SE1 · Bartholomew Street, SE1 · Batty Street, E1 · Bear Gardens, SE1 · Beatrice Road, SE1 · Bedale Street, SE1 · Belvedere Building, SE1 · Bermondsey Square, SE1 · Bermondsey Street, SE1 · Bermondsey Wall West, SE1 · Bermondsey Wall West, SE16 · Bevington Path, SE1 · Bevington Street, SE16 · Black Eagle Yard, SE1 · Black Swan Yard, SE1 · Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 · Blackfriars Road, BL8 · Blue Anchor Lane, SE16 · Blue Anchor Yard, E1 · Bluelion Place, SE1 · Borough Market, SE1 · Bowmans Mews, E1 · Boyd Street, E1 · Braham Street, E1 · Breezer’s Hill, E1W · Brewery Square, SE1 · Bricklayers Arms Flyover, SE1 · Bridge Houseborough High Stlondon Bridge, SE1 · Broadwall, SE1 · Brockham Street, SE1 · Brodie Street, SE1 · Brunswick Court, SE1 · Buckle Street, E1 · Burge Street, SE1 · Burr Close, E1W · Bursar Street, SE1 · Burslem Street, E1 · Bushbaby Close, SE1 · Bushwood Drive, SE1 · Butlers Colonial Wharf, SE1 · Buttermere Close, SE1 · Cadbury Way, SE16 · Cadet Drive, SE1 · Camilla Road, SE16 · Camperdown Street, E1 · Cardamom Building, SE1 · Cardinal Cap Alley, SE1 · Cartwright Street, E1 · Cathedral Street, SE1 · Catlin Street, SE16 · Chamber Street, E1 · Chambers Street, SE16 · Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1 · Chaucer Drive, SE1 · Chettle Close, SE1 · Christian Street, E1 · City Walk, SE1 · Cleme, SE16 · Clemence Road, SE16 · Clement, SE16 · Clements Road, SE16 · Clements Rod, SE16 · Clements, SE16 · Clink St Studios, SE1 · Clink Street, SE1 · Cobourg Road Estate, SE5 · Cobourg Road, SE1 · Cobourg Road, SE5 · Cole Street, SE1 · Collett Road, SE16 · Commercial Pier Wharf, SE16 · Coopers Road, SE1 · Copper Row, SE1 · Cottons Lane, SE1 · Counter Street, SE1 · Crescent, EC3N · Cresent, EC3N · Crimscott Street, SE1 · Crofts Street, E1 · Crosswall, EC3N · Crucifix Lane, SE1 · Curlew Street, SE1 · Curtis Street, SE1 · Curtis Way, SE1 · Decima Street, SE1 · Deverell Street, SE1 · Devon Mansions, SE1 · Dickens Square, SE1 · Dock Street, E1 · Dockhead, SE1 · Dockley Road, SE16 · Dolben Street, SE1 · Doon Street, SE1 · Drappers Way, SE16 · Druid Street, SE1 · Duchy Street, SE1 · Dunsterville Way, SE1 · Dunton Road, SE1 · East Flank, SE18 · East Point, SE1 · East Smithfield, E1W · East Smithfield, EC3N · East Tenter Street, E1 · Elephant Castle Super Bowl, SE1 · Emerson Street, SE1 · Empire Square South, SE1 · English Grounds, SE1 · Enid Street, SE16 · Ensign Street, E1 · Ensign Street, SE3 · Equity Mews, W5 · Esmeralda Road, SE1 · Fair Street, SE1 · Fairclough Street, E1 · Falcon Point Piazza, SE1 · Farncombe Street, SE16 · Fendall Street, SE1 · Fenning Street, SE1 · Flank Street, E1 · Flat Iron Square, SE1 · Fletcher Street, E1 · Flockton Street, SE16 · Forbes Street, E1 · Fort Road, SE1 · Fortune Place, SE1 · Fountain Green Square, SE16 · Frank Mews, SE1 · Frean Street, SE16 · Gabriels Wharf, SE1 · Gainsford Street, SE1 · George Inn Yard, SE1 · George Row, SE16 · Globe Street, SE1 · Golding Street, E1 · Goodman?s Yard, E1 · Goodmans Yard, E1 · Goodwin Close, SE16 · Gower’s Walk, E1 · Gowers Walk, E1 · Grange Road, SE1 · Grange Walk, SE1 · Grange Walk, SE16 · Grange Yard, SE1 · Great Dover Street, SE1 · Great Guildford Business Square, SE1 · Green Dragon Court, SE1 · Green Walk, SE1 · Griggs Place, SE1 · Griggs Road, E10 · Guinness Court, SE1 · Guinness Square, SE1 · Hamlet Way, SE1 · Hankey Place, SE1 · Hardwidge Street, SE1 · Harmony Place, SE1 · Hartley Buildings, SE1 · Hatchers Mews, SE1 · Hay’s Lane, SE1 · Haydon Street, E1 · Haydon Street, EC3N · Hays Galleria, SE1 · Hays Lane, SE1 · Hazel Way, SE1 · Henley Drive, SE1 · Henley Drive, SE16 · Henriques Street, E1 · Hermitage Court, E1W · Hermitage Wall, E1W · Holland Street, SE1 · Holyrood Street, SE1 · Hooper Street, E1 · Hopton Street, SE1 · Horselydown Lane, SE1 · Humphrey Street, SE1 · Hunter Close, SE1 · Ibex House, EC3N · India Street, EC3N · Invicta Plaza, SE1 · Ivory House, E1W · Jacob Street, SE1 · Jacob Street, SE16 · Jamaica Road, SE1 · Janeway Street, SE16 · Jewry Street, EC3N · Joan Street, SE1 · John Felton Road, SE16 · John Roll Way, SE16 · Joiner Street, SE1 · Kennet Street, E1W · Kings Head Yard, SE1 · Kintore Way, SE1 · Kipling Street, SE1 · Kirby Grove, SE1 · Knighten Street, E1W · Knighton Street, E1W · Kotree way, SE1 · Lafone Street, SE1 · Lamb Walk, SE1 · Lansdowne Place, SE1 · Larnaca Works, SE1 · Law Street, SE1 · Leathermarket Street, SE1 · Leman Street, E1 · Leroy Street, SE1 · Library Square, E1 · Linsey Street, SE16 · Little Somerset Street, E1 · Llewellyn Street, SE16 · Lloyds Wharf, SE1 · Lockyer Estate, SE1 · Loncroft Road, SE5 · London Bridge Street, SE1 · London Bridge, EC4R · London Bridge, SE1 · Long Lane, SE1 · Long Walk, SE1 · Longfellow Way, SE1 · Longley Street, SE1 · Lovegrove Street, SE1 · Lower Road, SE1 · Lucey Road, SE16 · Lucey Way, SE16 · Lynton Road, SE1 · Macks Road, SE16 · Madron Street, SE1 · Magdalen Street, SE1 · Maggie Blake’s Cause, SE1 · Maggie Blake’s Cause, SE1 · Maguire Street, SE1 · Maguire, SE1 · Maiden Lane, SE1 · Maltby Street, SE1 · Maltings Place, SE1 · Manciple Street, SE1 · Mandela Way, SE1 · Mandela Way, SE16 · Mandela Way, SE1P · Manningtree Street, E1 · Mansell Street, E1 · Mansell Street, EC3N · Marcia Road, SE1 · Maria Close, SE16 · Market Place, SE16 · Market Yard Mews, SE1 · Marlborough Grove, SE1 · Mason Close, SE1 · Mason Street, SE1 · Meakin Estate, SE1 · Melior Place, SE1 · Melior Street, SE1 · Merrick Square, SE1 · Mews Street, E1W · Middle Yard, SE1 · Middlesex Street, EC3A · Mill Street, SE1 · Mill Yard, E1 · Milroy Walk, SE1 · Minories, EC3N · Minories, EC3N · Monnow Road, SE1 · More London Place, SE1 · More London Riverside, SE1 · Morgans Lane, SE1 · Mulvaney Way, SE1 · Nebraska Street, SE1 · Neckinger Street, SE1 · Neckinger, SE16 · Nesham Street, E1W · New Concordia Wharf, SE1 · New Globe Walk, SE1 · Newhams Row, SE1 · Newington Court, SE1 · Nicholson Street, SE1 · North Tenter Street, E1 · Old Jamaica Road Business Estate, SE16 · Old Jamaica Road, SE16 · Old Kent Road, SE1 · Old Kent Road, SE14 · Olmar Street, SE1 · Orton Street, E1W · Ossory Road, SE1 · Oxford Drive, SE1 · Oxley Close, SE1 · Oxo Tower Wharf Barge House Street, SE1 · Oystergate Walk, SE1 · Pages Walk, SE1 · Pardoner Street, SE1 · Park Street, SE1 · Parkers Row, SE1 · Pennington Street, E1W · Perkins Square, SE1 · Philchurch Place, E1 · Phoenix Wharf Road, SE1 · Pickfords Wharf, SE1 · Pickwick House, SE16 · Pier Head, E1W · Pilgrimage Street, SE1 · Pinchin Street, E1 · Pope Street, SE1 · Porlock Street, SE1 · Porter Street, SE1 · Portsoken Street, E1 · Potters Fields, SE1 · Prescot Street, E1 · Prioress Street, SE1 · Providence Square, SE1 · Quadrangle Close, SE1 · Queen Elizabeth Street, SE1 · Radcliffe Road, SE1 · Raven Wharf, SE1 · Reverdy Road, SE1 · Rich Industrial Estate, SE1 · Riley Road, SE1 · Riverside Walk, SE1 · Rock Grove Way, SE16 · Rolls Road, SE1 · Rope Walk, SE1 · Rose Alley, SE1 · Rothsay Street, SE1 · Rouel Road, SE16 · Rowcross Street, SE1 · Royal Mint Court, EC3N · Royal Mint Place, E1 · Royal Mint Street, E1 · Royal Oak Yard, SE1 · Saint Katharine’s Way, E1W · Saint Katherine’s Way, E1W · Saint Thomas Street, SE1 · Sampson Street, E1W · Scarborough Street, E1 · Scoresby Street, SE1 · Scott Lidgett Crescent, SE16 · Scotts Sufferance Wharfmill Street, SE1 · Secker Street, SE1 · Setchell Road, SE1 · Setchell Way, SE1 · Shad Thames, E1W · Shad Thames, SE1 · Shand Street, SE1 · Shipwright Yard, SE1 · Shorter Street, E1 · Shorter Street, EC3N · Simms Road, SE1 · Six Bridges Trading Estate, SE1 · Snowsfields, SE1 · Soho Wharf, SE1 · South Bank, SE1 · South Tenter Street, E1 · Southwalk Street, SE1 · Southwark Park Road, SE16 · Southwark Street, SE1 · Spa Court, SE16 · Spa Road, SE1 · Spa Road, SE16 · Springalls Wharf Apartments, SE16 · Spurgeon Street, SE1 · St Anthony’s Close, E1W · St Botolph Street, EC3A · St Clare House, EC3N · St Clare Street, EC3N · St Jamess Road, SE1 · St Jamess Road, SE16 · St Katharines Way, E1W · St Katharine’s Way, E1W · St Mark Street, E1 · St Thomas Street, SE1 · St. Botolph Street, EC3A · St. Thomas Street, SE1 · Stainer Street, SE1 · Stamford Street, SE1 · Stanworth Street, SE1 · Staple Street, SE1 · Star Place, E1W · Sterry Street, SE1 · Stevens Street, SE1 · Stevenson Crescent, SE16 · Stevenson Cresent, SE16 · Stockholm Way, E1W · Stoney Street, SE1 · Stork’s Road, SE16 · Strathnairn Street, SE1 · Studios, N17 · Stutfield Street, E1 · Sugar Quay Walk, EC3N · Sugar Quay Walk, SE1 · Sumner Street, SE1 · Swan Court, SE1 · Swan Street, SE1 · Sweeney Crescent, SE1 · Swift Court, SE1 · Tabard Street, SE1 · Tanner Street, SE1 · Telfords Yard, E1W · The Circle, SE1 · The Globe Rope Walk, E14 · The Grain Stores, SE1 · The Grange, SE1 · The Jam Factory, SE1 · The Leather Market, SE1 · The Leathermarket, SE1 · The Tanneries, SE1 · The Terrace, SE1 · Thetford House, SE1 · Thomas Lane Car Park, SE6 · Thomas More Square, E1W · Thomas More Street, E1W · Thorburn Square, SE1 · Thrale Street, SE1 · Three Crown Square Borough Market, SE1 · Three Oak Lane, SE1 · Thurland Road, SE16 · Tooley Street, SE1 · Toussaint Walk, SE16 · Tower Bridge Approach, E1W · Tower Bridge Approach, EC3N · Tower Bridge Piazza, SE1 · Tower Bridge Road, SE1 · Tower Bridge, E1W · Tower Bridge, SE1 · Tower Hill, EC3N · Tower Walk, E1W · Tower Workshops, SE1 · Tranton Road, SE16 · Trinity Church Square, SE1 · Trinity Street, SE1 · Trothy Road, SE1 · Tyers Gate, SE1 · Umberston Street, E1 · Unity Wharf, SE1 · Upper Ground, SE1 · Vauban Street, SE16 · Vaughan Way, E1W · Vine Lane, SE1 · Vine Street, EC3N · Vintage Yard, SE1 · Virginia Street, E1W · Vogans Mill, SE1 · Wade House, SE1 · Wade House, SE16 · Waterside Close, SE16 · Weavers Lane, SE1 · Webb Street, SE1 · Webster Road, SE16 · Wellclose Square, E1 · West Tenter Street, E1 · Weston Street, SE1 · Whites Grounds Estate, SE1 · Whites Grounds, SE1 · Wicker Street, E1 · Wild’s Rents, SE1 · Wilds Rents, SE1 · Willow Walk, SE1 · Wilson Grove, SE16 · Winchester Square, SE1 · Winchester Walk, SE1 · Wolseley Street, SE1 · Wood’s Place, SE1 · Woodmill Close, SW15 · Woolstaplers Way, SE16 · Yalding Road, SE16 · Zoar Street, SE1 ·