Ten Things To See In Rotherhithe Village: If you fancy exploring an idyllic village head for Rotherhithe. It lies on the South Bank peninsula of the River Thames bordering Bermondsey. The area has a rich maritime history harking back to Elizabethan times until the early 20th century. Wander around the streets flanked with grade II listed warehouses that were converted into gorgeous apartments in the 1980s. St Mary’s Church is picture-perfect, and the gardens are glorious. The Brunel Museum, Mayflower Pub, Watch House, Engine House, Free School, Old Mortuary and Picture Research Library are included on my Ten Things To See in Rotherhithe Village List. Travel to Rotherhithe Overground Station which is close by, and you can enjoy a saunter around this beautiful part of London SE16.
Pretty Rotherhithe Street
10 Things To See In Rotherhithe Village, London SE16:
- Brunel Museum
- Rotherhithe Street and the listed warehouse buildings
- St Mary’s Church and Gardens
- Mayflower Pub
- St Mary Rotherhithe Free School House
- Rotherhithe Picture Research Library and Sands Films
- Hope Sufferance Wharf
- Old Mortuary
- Watch House
- Engine House
Ten Things To See In Rotherhithe Village
Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, SE16 4LF: Set inside the Brunel Engine House designed by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel is a museum dedicated to the construction of the Thames Tunnel. You might notice letters spelling out Brunel on the roundabout near the Rotherhithe Tunnel entrance.
Rotherhithe Street: The beginning of Rotherhithe Street is adorable. It has many listed warehouse buildings opposite each other with overhead walkways. It was initially built as a shelter for ships waiting to offload their goods at London quays. Look out for the following warehouse buildings: 101 (mid c19 small granary warehouse), 103 (1850-60 warehouse), 105 (1890-1900 warehouse), 111-115 (Thames Tunnel Mills), 127-131 (former Brandram Brothers factory is now the Brandrams Housing Cooperative c1870-80), 135 (Charles Hay & Son barge building and repairs mid c19), and 263 (Nelson Dock Offices c1850).
St Mary’s Church and Gardens, St Marychurch Street SE16 4NJ: The existing parish church replaced the12th century building which was completed in 1716. It was designed by John James, an associate of Sir Christopher Wren. The church garden is pretty and a tranquil place to sit. There is a blue remembrance plaque for The Reverend Nicolas Richards 1942-2006 (Father Nick) Rector of St Mary’s Rotherhithe is on the building at 72 St Marychurch Street.
Mayflower Pub, 117 Rotherhithe Street SE16 4NF: Pretty building which is said to the oldest pub on the Thames. It is named after the Pilgrim Fathers who set sail nearby in 1620.
St Mary Rotherhithe Free School House, 70 St Marychurch Street SE16 4HZ: The free school was established in 1613 for the education of 8 sons of seamen by Peter Hill. The blue-coated male and female statues are quite special. The stone on the front of the building says it is a free school founded by Peter Hill and Robert Bell. The building has Grade II listed status.
Rotherhithe Picture Research Library and Sands Films, 82 St Marychurch Street SE16 4HZ: The Picture Library was established in 1975, and is open to everyone. Sands Films has a costume-making shop and is a cinema club. The building is a Grade II listed former granary.
Hope Sufferance Wharf: The grade II listed building was a grain warehouse and workshop c19. It is now a residential converted warehouse.
Old Mortuary, St Marychurch Street SE16 4NJ: The Old Mortuary (1895) backs onto the Church gardens. It now houses the Time and Talents Centre.
Watch House, 69 St Marychurch Street SE16 4HZ: The watch station was where a guard stood to prevent body snatching from the graveyard of St Mary’s Church. It is now a cute café.
Engine House: Engine House was home to the village fire engine. The stone on the front bears the date 1821.
Green Spaces Near Rotherhithe Village
After you have explored Rotherhithe Village, you might want to sit down in a green space.
Southwark Park, Gomm Road London SE16 2TX: This large park, designed by Alexander McKenzie opened in 1869. It has many attractions including the Ada Salter Rose Garden, a bandstand, lake and the Caryatides of Rotherhithe Old Town Hall. The entrance closest to Rotherhithe station is at Jamaica Road. Read my Southwark Park Review for more information.
King’s Stairs Gardens, 281 Jamaica Road, London SE16 4RS: A tranquil riverside park with views over the River Thames bordering Bermondsey. Look out for the following attractions nearby: The Salter Family statues, Moated Manor House of King Edward III and the Angel Pub.
Stave Hill, Ecological Park and Russia Dock Woodland: Walk up the hill for views of Canary Wharf and the City of London. The area was previously Stave Dock and Russia Dock which were filled in during the mid-1980s when the London Docklands Development Corporation redeveloped the land. Read my London Bridge to Stave Hill Walk for more information.
For historical information visit the Wikipedia Rotherhithe Page.
To see more photographs of the area take a look at my Love Rotherhithe London Pinterest Board.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
