Shadwell Basin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shadwell Basin |
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 Shadwell Basin in 2023 |
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 Shadwell Basin
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| OS grid reference | TQ351806 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly | |
Shadwell Basin is a cool spot in Wapping, London. It's a mix of homes and fun activities, all built around an old dock. This dock used to be part of the big London Docks, which were important for ships bringing goods to London.
Today, Shadwell Basin is one of the most important parts of the old London Docks that still exist. You can find it on the north side of the River Thames. It's east of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and west of Limehouse.
Contents
Exploring Shadwell Basin Today
A Special Watery Place
Unlike some other London Docks that were filled in, Shadwell Basin was kept. It's the most eastern part of the old dock system. This area is now a 2.8-hectare (about 7-acre) water space. People use it for fun activities like sailing, canoeing, and fishing.
Three sides of the basin are surrounded by modern homes. These homes were designed by famous British architects and built between 1986 and 1988.
Homes with History
The buildings are four or five storeys tall. They have a cool design with open arches and solid walls. This look reminds people of the big warehouses that used to be along the docks in the 1800s. The design was inspired by the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.
These homes are on Newlands Quay, Maynards Quay, and Peartree Lane. In 2018, Historic England added them to the National Heritage List for England. This means they are now Grade II listed buildings, recognized for their special design.
What You Can See Around the Basin
On the south-west side of Shadwell Basin, you'll find Benson Quay. Riverside Mansions and the Monza Building overlook the south side. At the south-eastern end, there's the old Wapping Hydraulic Power Station building.
On the north side, east of Newlands Quay, stands St Paul's Church. Its tall spire makes a dramatic background. The area around the church, called the St Paul's Church Conservation Area, reaches the water's edge. It has a terraced walkway with an outdoor gym.
A special kind of bridge, called a Scherzer bascule bridge, crosses one of the entrances on the east side. The Port of London Authority built this bridge in the 1930s. It was fixed up in the 1980s when the area was redeveloped.
Shadwell Basin is a popular path for people to use. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers enjoy the walkway along the water. It connects open spaces and canals between the river and Hermitage Basin, which is near St Katharine Docks to the west.
A Look Back in Time
How Shadwell Basin Grew
The London Docks got bigger towards the east in the 1830s. This happened when the Eastern Dock and Shadwell Basin were opened (built from 1828 to 1832). To let ships reach these new docks from the river, a new entrance was built at Shadwell. It opened in 1832 and was called Shadwell Entrance.
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By the 1850s, the London Dock Company realized their entrances were too small. Newer, larger ships were being built. So, between 1854 and 1858, the company built a new, wider entrance (45 feet wide) and a new basin at Shadwell. This new basin is the only part of the original London Docks system that is still here today. It was connected to the western docks by the Eastern Dock and the short Tobacco Dock.
The Docks Close Down
By the early 1900s, the London Docks were becoming old-fashioned. Steam-powered ships were now too big to fit into them. Goods had to be unloaded further down the river. Then, they were ferried by smaller boats to warehouses in Wapping. This way of working was slow and expensive. It was one of the main reasons why London's western docks closed first in the 1960s.
The London Docks complex stopped being used for shipping in 1969. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets bought Shadwell Basin and the western part of the docks. The area became run down, mostly just a large open space with water. In 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) took over. They redeveloped Shadwell Basin in 1987. This led to 169 houses and flats being built around the historic dock that was kept.
Important Places Nearby
North of the Basin
- St. Paul's Church, Shadwell — This church is sometimes called the "Church of Sea Captains."
South of the Basin
- The old Wapping Hydraulic Power Station building.
- Prospect of Whitby pub — A very old and famous pub.
East of the Basin
- King Edward VII Memorial Park — This park gives you access to the River Thames.
- The Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre — This center includes Tower Hamlets Canoe Club and Docklands Dive School.
Famous People Connected to Shadwell
Some interesting people have connections to the Shadwell area:
- Captain James Cook (1728–1779) lived nearby. Some of his children were baptized at St. Paul's Church, Shadwell.
- Jane Randolph Jefferson (1720–1776), who was the mother of US President Thomas Jefferson, was born in Shakespeare Walk. This road used to run through what is now Shadwell Basin. She was also baptized at St. Paul's Church, Shadwell.
- John Wesley (1703–1791), a famous religious leader, preached at St. Paul's Church, Shadwell.
- Sir William Henry Perkin (1838–1907), a chemist who discovered a purple dye, was baptized at St. Paul's Church, Shadwell.
Streets Around Shadwell Basin
North of Shadwell Basin
- Newlands Quay — This street was once called Elbow Lane (in 1862).
East of Shadwell Basin
- Pear Tree Lane — This street was once called Fox's Lane (in 1862). It's named after an old inn called The Pear Tree.
West of Shadwell Basin
- Maynards Quay off Garnet Street — This was once called New Gravel Lane (in 1862).
- Benson Quay
South of Shadwell Basin (from west to east)
- Milk Yard
- Monza Street
- Wapping Wall
