Hay's Galleria facts for kids
Hay's Galleria is a cool building in London that has offices, restaurants, shops, and apartments. It sits right on the south bank of the River Thames. Long ago, it was a very busy warehouse and dock called Hay's Wharf. It was rebuilt in the 1980s and is now a special historic building.
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History of Hay's Galleria
From Brewhouse to Busy Wharf
Hay's Galleria gets its name from Alexander Hay, who bought the land in 1651. Back then, it was a place where beer was made!
Later, in the 1800s, the property was changed into a special enclosed dock called a 'wharf'. This happened in 1856 and it became known as Hay's Wharf.
London's Larder
During the 1800s, Hay's Wharf was super important for ships bringing tea to London. It was so busy that about 80% of all the dry goods imported into London came through this wharf! Because of this, people nicknamed it 'the Larder of London', meaning it was like London's pantry.
The wharf was rebuilt after a big fire in June 1861. It kept working for almost another century until it was badly bombed in September 1940 during the Second World War.
Changes in Shipping
In the 1960s, ships started using large metal boxes called 'containers' to carry goods. This meant ships needed deeper ports further down the Thames. Because of this change, Hay's Wharf closed down in 1970.
What You Can Do There Today
Hay's Galleria is a popular spot for both tourists and people who work nearby. It's located right on the southern Thames Path, offering great views of the City of London. You can also find it between London City Hall and Southwark Cathedral.
The pub by the river is called 'The Horniman at Hay's'. Its name remembers one of the main tea companies that used to trade here.
For many years, Hay's Galleria had a market called the Hays Galleria Market. It was open seven days a week and had artists and independent sellers. They sold souvenirs, clothes, and jewelry from small carts. The market carts were removed for a while in 2010 but were brought back after 2014. As of 2017, there were 8 carts operating in the Galleria.
How to Get There
- River services: London Bridge City Pier (for boats)
- Tube/National Rail: London Bridge station (for trains and underground)
Images for kids
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The Navigators, 1987, a sculpture by David Kemp
