Lower Thames Street holds significant historical and architectural importance and is a major traffic route in London.
’Thames Street’ is mentioned in the diary of Samuel Pepys. Its first recorded mention dates back to 1013 when the custom house was established on the street. During the reign of King Henry VIII, Thames Street was home to the London residences of numerous courtiers. Among them was William Compton, whose residence supposedly served as a meeting place for Henry VIII and his mistresses. The street was split into Lower and Upper sections
Lower Thames Street was home to notable landmarks such as Billingsgate Market and the Coal Exchange. The Coal Exchange, a cast-iron building constructed in 1849, garnered widespread acclaim for its magnificent "great domed interior." Its demolition was met with universal condemnation, especially from the likes of John Betjeman, who praised its architectural splendour.
Moving along the south side of Lower Thames Street, starting from the Tower end to the London Bridge end, one would come across several notable sites. Opposite St Dunstan’s Hill stands the Custom House, a location with a long history. Built in 1275, this custom house was responsible for levying duties on goods imported into London via the river. It was during the 1370s that Geoffrey Chaucer worked here as the controller of export tax on wool. The original custom house was destroyed by fire in 1559, and its replacement suffered the same fate during the Great Fire of London, leading to the commissioning of a new structure by Christopher Wren. However, this new building was severely damaged by an accidental gunpowder explosion in 1714. It was subsequently rebuilt by Thomas Ripley between 1717 and 1725. The present Custom House building, designed by David Laing and constructed between 1813 and 1817, now houses various offices.
Continuing along Lower Thames Street, next is Billingsgate Market, which operated from 1016 until 1982. Originally serving as a market for food, wine, and later fish brought into London by boat, it played a significant role in the city’s trade and commerce. In the early 20th century, notable figures such as writer George Orwell and the infamous Kray twins, Reggie and Ronnie, were associated with the market. Billingsgate Market relocated to the Isle of Dogs in 1982 after 900 years of operation in the City. The building itself, designed by Horace Jones in the 1870s in the French Renaissance style, has since been renovated and transformed into office spaces, preserving its architectural charm.
