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Earl's Sluice facts for kids

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Earl's Sluice
Culverted mouth of the Earl's Sluice at Deptford Wharf.jpg
The culverted mouth of the Earl's Sluice at Deptford Wharf
Country England
Counties Greater London
Towns Deptford
Physical characteristics
Main source Ruskin Park
Denmark Hill
51°28′0″N 0°5′33″W / 51.46667°N 0.09250°W / 51.46667; -0.09250
River mouth River Thames
Deptford Wharf
51°29′35.19″N 0°1′55.26″W / 51.4931083°N 0.0320167°W / 51.4931083; -0.0320167
Basin features
Tributaries
  • Right:
    River Peck

Earl's Sluice is a river that flows mostly underground in south-east London, England. It begins in Ruskin Park on Denmark Hill. As it travels, it joins another river called the River Peck in South Bermondsey. Finally, it flows into the famous River Thames at Deptford Wharf.

What is Earl's Sluice?

Earl's Sluice is known as a subterranean river. This means that for most of its journey, it flows hidden beneath the ground. It's one of several such rivers in London that have been covered over as the city grew.

Where Does It Flow?

The river starts its journey in Ruskin Park, which is located on Denmark Hill. From there, it makes its way through various parts of south-east London. In an area called South Bermondsey, it meets and combines with the River Peck. After this meeting, the combined waters continue their flow until they reach the mighty River Thames at Deptford Wharf.

A River with History

Earl's Sluice has a long and interesting history, playing a role in how London developed over the centuries.

How It Got Its Name

The river is named after a powerful person from long ago: the Earl of Gloucester. He lived during the time of King Henry I, who ruled England from 1100 to 1135. The word "sluice" refers to a channel or a gate that controls the flow of water. This suggests that the river's path might have been managed or controlled even in ancient times.

An Old Boundary Marker

For many years, Earl's Sluice served as an important boundary line. It marked the edge between two old church areas, known as parishes. These were St Mary's parish in Rotherhithe and St Paul's parish in Deptford.

Even further back in time, until 1889, the river also marked the boundary between two historic counties: Kent and Surrey. This shows how important natural features like rivers were for defining different regions.

The Earl Pumping Station

There was once a building called the Earl Pumping Station. Its job was to help manage the water from Earl's Sluice and pump it into the River Thames. Although this station has been closed for many years, it played a role in controlling the river's flow and preventing flooding in the past.

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