Hopton Street has had almshouses since 1752.
xx
Before the days of state provision for the old, infirm or poor, it was common for wealthy individuals to bequeath money or property to the local parish or to set up independent institutions to assist those in need locally. Many ancient parishes have such institutions and many almshouses still survive.
Hoptons Almshouses were founded from a trust set up by the will of Charles Hopton and provided accommodation for 26 residents, financial grants and fuel.
It is unusual to find one founded as early as 1752 still in its original form, carrying out its original function, so close to London.
This photo was taken in 1957. The modern view of these almshouses would take in the huge NEO
Bankside development behind which has dramatically altered the atmosphere of the courtyard.
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence
| CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCALITY |
 
Scott Hatton Added: 11 Sep 2020 19:47 GMT |
Millions Of Rats In Busy London
The Daily Mail on 14 April 1903 reported "MILLIONS OF RATS IN BUSY LONDON"
A rat plague, unprecedented in the annals of London, has broken out on the north side of the Strand. The streets principally infested are Catherine street, Drury lane, Blackmore street, Clare Market and Russell street. Something akin to a reign of terror prevails among the inhabitants after nightfall. Women refuse to pass along Blackmore street and the lower parts of Stanhope street after dusk, for droves of rats perambulate the roadways and pavements, and may be seen running along the window ledges of the empty houses awaiting demolition by the County Council in the Strand to Holborn improvement scheme.
The rats, indeed, have appeared in almost-incredible numbers. "There are millions of them," said one shopkeeper, and his statement was supported by other residents. The unwelcome visitors have been evicted from their old haunts by the County Council housebreakers, and are now busily in search of new homes. The Gaiety Restaurant has been the greatest sufferer. Rats have invaded the premises in such force that the managers have had to close the large dining room on the first floor and the grill rooms on the ground floor and in the basement. Those three spacious halls which have witnessed many as semblages of theatre-goers are now qui:e deserted. Behind the wainscot of the bandstand in the grillroom is a large mound of linen shreds. This represents 1728 serviettes carried theee by the rats.
In the bar the removal of a panel disclosed the astonishing fact that the rats have dragged for a distance of seven or eight yards some thirty or forty beer and wine bottles and stacked them in such a fashion as to make comfortable sleeping places. Mr Williams. the manager of the restaurant, estimates that the rats have destroyed L200 worth of linen. Formerly the Gaiety Restaurant dined 2000 persons daily; no business whatever is now done in this direction.
Reply |
 
Bruce McTavish Added: 11 Mar 2021 11:37 GMT |
Kennington Road
Lambeth North station was opened as Kennington Road and then Westminster Bridge Road before settling on its final name. It has a wonderful Leslie Green design.
Reply |
Richard Lake Added: 28 Sep 2022 09:37 GMT |
Trade Union Official
John William Lake snr moved with his family to 22 De Laune Street in 1936. He was the London Branch Secretary for the Street Masons, Paviours and Road Makers Union. He had previously lived in Orange St now Copperfield St Southwark but had been forced to move because the landlord didn’t like him working from home and said it broke his lease.
John William snr died in 1940. His son John William Lake jnr also became a stone mason and at the end of World War two he was responsible for the engraving of the dates of WW2 onto the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Reply |
MCNALLY Added: 17 May 2021 09:42 GMT |
Blackfriars (1959 - 1965)
I lived in Upper Ground from 1959 to 1964 I was 6 years old my parents Vince and Kitty run the Pub The Angel on the corner of Upper Ground and Bodies Bridge. I remember the ceiling of the cellar was very low and almost stretched the length of Bodies Bridge. The underground trains run directly underneath the pub. If you were down in the cellar when a train was coming it was quite frightening
Reply |
Johnshort Added: 7 Oct 2017 21:07 GMT |
Hurley Road, SE11
There were stables in the road mid way - also Danny reading had a coal delivery lorry.
Reply |
Robert smitherman Added: 23 Aug 2017 11:01 GMT |
Saunders Street, SE11
I was born in a prefab on Saunders street SE11 in the 60’s, when I lived there, the road consisted of a few prefab houses, the road originally ran from Lollard street all the way thru to Fitzalan street. I went back there to have a look back in the early 90’s but all that is left of the road is about 20m of road and the road sign.
Reply |
 
Tom Added: 21 May 2021 23:07 GMT |
Blackfriars
What is, or was, Bodies Bridge?
Reply |
Added: 27 Jul 2021 14:31 GMT |
correction
Chaucer did not write Pilgrims Progress. His stories were called the Canterbury Tales
Reply |
sam Added: 31 Dec 2021 00:54 GMT |
Burdett Street, SE1
I was on 2nd July 1952, in Burdett chambers (which is also known as Burdett buildings)on Burdett street
Reply |
Added: 3 Jun 2021 15:50 GMT |
All Bar One
The capitalisation is wrong
Reply |
| LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT |
Scott Hatton Added: 30 Jan 2023 11:28 GMT |
The Beatles on a London rooftop
The Beatles’ rooftop concert took place on the rooftop of the Apple Corps building in London. It was their final public performance as a band and was unannounced, attracting a crowd of onlookers. The concert lasted for 42 minutes and included nine songs. The concert is remembered as a seminal moment in the history of rock music and remains one of the most famous rock performances of all time.
Reply |
Michael Upham Added: 16 Jan 2023 21:16 GMT |
Bala Place, SE16
My grandfather was born at 2 Bala Place.
Reply |
Added: 15 Jan 2023 09:49 GMT |
The Bombing of Nant Street WW2
My uncle with his young son and baby daughter were killed in the bombing of Nant Street in WW2. His wife had gone to be with her mother whilst the bombing of the area was taking place, and so survived. Cannot imagine how she felt when she returned to see her home flattened and to be told of the death of her husband and children.
Reply |
 
Brian J MacIntyre Added: 8 Jan 2023 17:27 GMT |
Malcolm Davey at Raleigh House, Dolphin Square
My former partner, actor Malcolm Davey, lived at Raleigh House, Dolphin Square, for many years until his death. He was a wonderful human being and an even better friend. A somewhat underrated actor, but loved by many, including myself. I miss you terribly, Malcolm. Here’s to you and to History, our favourite subject.
Love Always - Brian J MacIntyre
Minnesota, USA
Reply |
Robert Burns Added: 5 Jan 2023 17:46 GMT |
1 Abourne Street
My mother, and my Aunt and my Aunt’s family lived at number 1 Abourne Street.
I remember visitingn my aunt Win Housego, and the Housego family there. If I remember correctly virtually opposite number 1, onthe corner was the Lord Amberley pub.
Reply |
Added: 30 Dec 2022 21:41 GMT |
Southam Street, W10
do any one remember J&A DEMOLITON at harrow rd kensal green my dad work for them in a aec 6 wheel tipper got a photo of him in it
Reply |
Fumblina Added: 26 Dec 2022 18:59 GMT |
Detailed history of Red Lion
I’m not the author but this blog by Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms has loads of really clear information about the history of the Red Lion which people might appreciate.
Source: ‘Professor Morris’ and the Red Lion, Kilburn
Reply |
BG Added: 20 Dec 2022 02:58 GMT |
Lancing Street, NW1
LANCING STREET
Reply |
The Ring The Ring was a boxing stadium which once stood on Blackfriars Road in Southwark. Anchor Terrace, SE1 Anchor Terrace is a large symmetrical building on the east side of Southwark Bridge Road, situated very close to the River Thames. Argent Street, SE1 Silver Street connected Orange Street (now Copperfield Street) and Loman Street. Bankside, SE1 Bankside is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Bear Lane, SE1 Bear Lane is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Blackfriars Road, SE1 Blackfriars Road runs between St George’s Circus at the southern end and Blackfriars Bridge over the River Thames at the northern end, leading to the City of London. Brad Street, SE1 Brad Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Broadwall, SE1 Broadwall is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Burrows Mews, SE1 Burrows Mews is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Coin Street, SE1 Coin Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Cons Street, SE1 Emma Cons was the founder of the Royal Victoria Coffee Music Hall, that later became known as the Old Vic. Copperfield Street, SE1 Copperfield Street was named after the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, by association with nearby Dickens Square. Doyce Street, SE1 Doyce Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Duchy Street, SE1 Duchy Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Ewer Street, SE1 Ewer Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Greet Street, SE1 Greet Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Hatfields, SE1 Hatfields is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Hopton Street, SE1 Hopton Street was known as Green Walk until the late nineteenth century. Joan Street, SE1 Joan Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Loman Street, SE1 Loman Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Miller Walk, SE1 Miller Walk is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Milroy Walk, SE1 Milroy Walk is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Paris Garden, SE1 Paris Garden is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Queenhithe, EC4V Queenhithe is a small and ancient ward of the City of London, situated by the River Thames and a minor street. Rose Alley, SE1 Rose Alley is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Southwark Street, SE1 Southwark Street is a major street just south of the River Thames. It runs between Blackfriars Road to the west and Borough High Street to the east. Sumner Street, SE1 Sumner Street runs from Great Guildford Street to Southwark Bridge Road. The Cut, SE1 Lower Marsh and The Cut, with its street market, formed the commercial heart of the area from the early 19th century. Theed Street, SE1 Theed Street is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Upper Ground, SE1 Upper Ground is one of the streets of London in the SE1 postal area. Zoar Street, SE1 Zoar Street is named after the former Zoar Chapel here, named for the Biblical Zoara. The Ring The Ring stands on the corner of The Cut and Blackfriars Road.
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.
In the neighbourhood...
Click an image below for a better view...
Cardinal Cap Alley is an alley in Bankside.
Bankside was a bawdy place, full of taverns, brothels then called ’stews’ from the stewhouses, which were steam baths doubling as brothels. There were bear and bull-baiting pits and, in the time of Shakespeare, public theatres. Cardinal Cap Alley, off Bankside, used to lead to a brothel called the The Cardinal’s Cap which was so-called because it had been owned by Henry Beaufort, the Bishop of Winchester, who had paraded here, wearing his red hat, after being appointed a cardinal by the Pope.
In the photo, the entrance to Cardinal Cap Alley is under the lamp, left of the yellow door.Credit: Peter HolmesLicence: 
