Walworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walworth |
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 Walworth
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| OS grid reference | TQ325785 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SE1 (Old Kent Road), SE17 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Walworth is a lively area in south London, England. It's part of the London Borough of Southwark. Walworth is next to Camberwell in the south and Elephant and Castle in the north. It is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) south-east of Charing Cross.
Some of the main streets in Walworth are the Old Kent Road, New Kent Road, and Walworth Road.
Contents
History of Walworth
The name Walworth likely comes from old English words. Wealh meant "Briton" (an early person from Britain). Worth meant "homestead" or "enclosure." So, Walworth probably means "British farm."
Walworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. This was a very old survey of England. At that time, Walworth had a church and land for farming. It was owned by Bainiard.
Important Buildings and Places
John Smith House is on Walworth Road. It was named after John Smith. He was the leader of the Labour Party from 1992 until he passed away in 1994. The Labour Party is one of the main political parties in the United Kingdom. This building used to be their main office. Today, it is used as a hostel, which is a type of affordable accommodation.
St Peter's Church, Walworth was built around 1825. It is a great example of the neo-classical style. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. The church was designed by a famous architect named Sir John Soane. It shows how wealthy the people living there were back then.
Manor Place Baths used to be a public wash house. It is a special building because it is a grade II listed building. This means it is protected for its history. In 2007, a Tibetan Buddhist centre called Manor Place Samye Dzong opened there. They renovated the building and use it for their activities.
Walworth is also home to the Pullens buildings. These are old Victorian buildings. They have homes and workshops mixed together. Many of the flats have one bedroom. Some flats are still connected to workshops in the yards nearby.
Long ago, Walworth even had a zoo! It was in Royal Surrey Gardens. Even Queen Victoria visited this zoo.
Changes in Walworth
Walworth is going through many changes right now. This is called "regeneration." Old buildings are being updated or replaced. For example, the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre was taken down. A new tall building called Strata tower was built.
Some large housing estates, like the Heygate and Aylesbury Estates, are also being rebuilt. St Mary's Churchyard is being turned into a new park. There are also plans to extend the Bakerloo Underground line. This would add two new stations along Old Kent Road.
Walworth in Books and Movies
Walworth has appeared in many stories and films:
- The famous author Charles Dickens wrote about Walworth in his book Great Expectations. A character named Mr Wemmick lives there in a small wooden cottage.
- The 2016 book London Lies Beneath by Stella Duffy is set in Walworth in 1912.
- In the 2017 movie The Foreigner, the main character's restaurant is located in Walworth.
- The play The Walworth Farce, from 2006, takes place in a flat near Elephant & Castle. It talks about Irish people moving to London. Walworth has been a place where many Irish immigrants have settled since the 1800s.
People from Walworth
Many interesting people have lived in Walworth, including:
- Charles Babbage, a very smart person who worked on early computers
- Robert Browning, a famous poet and writer
- Sir Charlie Chaplin, a well-known actor and director, born in 1889
- Samuel Palmer, a painter
- Frank Stubbs, a brave soldier who received the Victoria Cross
- Charles Upfold, a businessman
- The Walworth Jumpers, a religious group from the 1800s
Getting Around Walworth
Nearby Places
Nearest Underground Stations
- Elephant & Castle (on the Bakerloo and Northern lines)
- Kennington (on the Northern line)
Nearest National Rail Station
- Elephant & Castle
See also
In Spanish: Walworth para niños
