Limehouse Facts for Kids

Limehouse is an area in the East End of London, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is about 3.9 miles (6.3 km) east of Charing Cross, a well-known central point in London. Limehouse sits on the northern bank of the famous River Thames, which has played a huge role in its history.

Discovering Limehouse: A Historic London Area
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Discovering Limehouse: A Historic London Area

Limehouse is a fascinating part of East London with a rich history, especially linked to its docks and the River Thames. For centuries, it was a busy port area, full of ships, sailors, and trade. Today, it's a mix of old and new, with historic buildings alongside modern apartments.

Where is Limehouse Located?

Limehouse is positioned along the north side of the River Thames, making it a key part of London's riverside landscape. It's part of the wider London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is known for its diverse communities and historical significance. Being close to the river meant it was perfect for ships to load and unload goods, helping London grow as a major trading city.

Limehouse Through Time: A Brief History

Limehouse has a long and interesting past. Its name might come from the lime kilns that were once common here, used to make lime for building.

The Busy Docks and River Trade

For hundreds of years, Limehouse was a very important part of the Port of London. Ships from all over the world would come here, bringing in goods and taking out others. This made Limehouse a bustling place, full of sailors, merchants, and dockworkers. The area was known for its shipyards, where new ships were built and old ones repaired. You can see this in old pictures, like

John Boydell's view of the riverside at Limehouse in 1751 shows respectable houses and shipyards crowding onto the riverfront

Famous People and Limehouse

One famous person linked to Limehouse is Sir Humphrey Gilbert. He was an explorer and adventurer in the 1500s, known for his voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. While he lived a long time ago, his connection to areas like Limehouse shows how important these riverside communities were to England's exploration and trade.

Connecting Canals: Regent's Canal

Limehouse is also where the Regent's Canal meets the River Thames. This canal was built to connect the busy docks of Limehouse with other parts of London and beyond, making it easier to transport goods by barge. The Limehouse Basin is a large dock where the canal joins the river, and it's still a popular spot for boats today. You can see the Commercial Road Lock on the Regent's Canal entering the Limehouse Basin in some pictures.

Limehouse Today: What to See

Today, Limehouse is a vibrant area that blends its historical past with modern life. Many of the old warehouses and dock buildings have been turned into homes and businesses, but you can still feel the history.

Historic Streets and Buildings

If you walk along streets like Narrow Street, you can see beautiful old Georgian houses, like the ones in

Early Georgian terrace on Narrow Street, with The Grapes public house

. These buildings give you a glimpse into what Limehouse looked like centuries ago. The area also has traditional pubs, like The Grapes, which have been around for a very long time.

Modern Developments and Views

While there are many historic buildings, Limehouse has also seen a lot of new development. Modern apartments and buildings have been constructed, especially along the riverfront and around the old docks. From some parts of Limehouse, you can get amazing views of the modern Canary Wharf skyline, showing how close the old and new parts of London are.

Taken from Narrow Street, this shows the proximity of Limehouse to four of the high rise buildings of Canary Wharf.

Transport in Limehouse

Limehouse is well-connected by public transport. The D.L.R. (Docklands Light Railway) has a station here, making it easy to travel to other parts of East London and into the city centre. The D.L.R. is a modern, automated train system that runs above ground, giving passengers great views of the area.

A picture of Limehouse D.L.R. station in 2002.

Images for kids

A map showing the civil parish boundaries in 1870.
John Boydell's view of the riverside at Limehouse in 1751 shows respectable houses and shipyards crowding onto the riverfront
Limehouse Reach seen from above Limehouse Marina, with Ropemakers' Fields in the foreground.
Limehouse Basin looking north, DLR train in background. (January 2006)
Early Georgian terrace on Narrow Street, with The Grapes public house. (January 2006)
Corner of Burdett Road and Commercial Road.
Sir Humphrey Gilbert, c. 1583
Commercial Road Lock on the Regent's Canal entering the Limehouse Basin.
Limehouse Basin Lock separating Limehouse Basin from the Thames
Construction of apartments on Commercial Road (now complete).
Taken from Narrow Street, this shows the proximity of Limehouse to four of the high rise buildings of Canary Wharf.
The Mission, formerly the British Sailors Society, now apartments.
A picture of Limehouse D.L.R. station in 2002.