This is a proposed walk taking in two London landmarks which gave words to the English language or used London-coined words.
Directly opposite the future site of Southwark station – the other side of Blackfriars Road was The Ring. The Ring – named after its shape – opened on 14 May 1910, with the arena soon staging events four to five times a week. The term “boxing ring” is not derived from the name of the building, contrary to local legend but instead from the London Prize Ring Rules in 1743, which specified a small circle in the centre of the fight area where the boxers met at the start of each round. The term ’ringside seat’ dates from the 1860s. The Ring was destroyed in the Blitz during 1942.
And just under the bridge – and clearly visible – is the former entrance to Blackfriars Road railway station. The station was opened in January 1864 and closed almost five years later in 1868, to be replaced by the station now called Waterloo East.
The Cut
Southwark station – born in 1999 – is in a road called The Cut. The Cut, with its street market, formed the commercial heart of the area from the early 19th century. Dating from 1798, it runs between Waterloo Road in Lambeth and Blackfriars Road in Southwark, approximately parallel to the South Eastern Railway.
The market in the Cut continued until the 1950s. The remaining traders moved to Lower Marsh where some street stalls continue.
The Old Vic theatre is at the western (Lambeth) end, and the more experimental Young Vic theatre halfway along on the other side.
Joan Street
We’re going to leave The Cut almost immediately to follow Joan Street behind Southwark station. Joan Street began as part of Green Walk – which led through the open land in this area to the Thames. Later this was called Collingwood Street. The southern portion is now a separate road called Joan Street.
Isabella Street
Just before going under the railway bridge, turn left into the verdant Isabella Street. The street contains a number of restaurants which are housed in the railway arches below the London Bridge – Charing Cross railway lines.
Hatfields
At the end, turn right into Hatfields. The Bankside area was a centre for hat-making. There were seven hat-makers in Stamford Street alone in 1882. The street is full of interesting buildings. Overshoot Roupell Street to find Hatfields Green, an open area before returning to walk along Roupell Street.
Roupell Street
Before the existence of Roupell Street, there was an area known as Glover’s Halfpenny Hatch, which served as a convenient shortcut through fields.
This area was once part of Lambeth Marsh which extended from Blackfriars Road in the east to Lambeth Bridge in the south, centred around St George’s Circus. The landscape was characterised by marshland, sandbanks and tributaries of the River Neckinger spreading across the marsh and joining the Thames.
The area was developed by John Palmer Roupell in the 1820s. Roupell, a gold refiner, resided with his family at 16 Meymott Street, known as Cross Street at that time. He undertook the development of the land to create housing for artisan workers. The result was the construction of modest, two-story, terraced houses made of brick, arranged along conventional streets.
Windmill Walk
Halfway down, beside the Kings Arms, turn right into Windmill Walk – look down Cons Street which is home to the Peabody Trust’s Ipsden Flats serving as a testament to the potential of well-designed social housing – and then left into Whittlesey Street.
Whittlesey Street
On Easter Monday 1768, Philip Astley, a renowned cavalry hero, and his wife Patty organised their inaugural performance of “activity on horseback” in this location – probably the location of the White Hart pub further down Whittlesey Street.
Philip and Patty, who was also a talented rider, put on a show that showcased various feats and displays of horsemanship. This marked the beginning of their successful career in entertainment, which eventually led to the establishment of Astley’s Amphitheatre, a renowned venue for equestrian performances and circus acts.
Glover’s Halfpenny Hatch was a path used as a shortcut between Blackfriars and Westminster bridges. In this field Astley set up his first circus ring in 1768. He marked out a circular arena and erected a modest fence around it, creating a designated space for his equestrian performances. The circular design of the ring allowed for better visibility and made it easier for spectators to follow the action. Astley discovered that by galloping in a tight circle, the centrifugal force helped him perform daring feats on horseback without losing his balance.
The word circus in the sense of a performing area was born (though the word itself, without the meaning, is of Latin origin)
Admission to the circus was sixpence, or one shilling for a seat reservation. For wealthier patrons or those from the nobility and gentry, private matinée shows were available at a higher price of ten guineas.
Over time, the field and the circus evolved, and today The White Hart stands on the site, preserving a piece of prime circus history.
Cornwall Road, Sandell Street and Waterloo station
Turn right onto Cornwall Road, under the railway bridge and right onto Sandell Street, past the Union Jack Club and into Waterloo East. Navigate to Waterloo station.
Next: We continue on the Waterloo to Westminster walk