Shad Thames

Rags to Riches

Shad Thames is a historic riverside street found next to Tower Bridge, but the name is also used to describe the surrounding area. In Victorian times, Shad Thames was home to the largest warehouse complex in London, however during the 20th century business left and the area was forgotten and derelict.

The last few decades have seen something of a renaissance for Shad Thames. The empty but picturesque warehouses were converted into trendy flats, but the whole area retains is 19th century character. Iron bridges and overhead goods gantries connect the warehouses together, and many of the buildings have kept names signifying their original purpose. See, for example, Tea Trade Wharf and Court, or the rather more exotic Cayenne Court.

Sir Terence Conran is the man to thank for the wharf’s regeneration. He was a designer, architect and early sponsor of their developments here. He also opened the Design museum and a handful of stylish restaurants, including the Blueprint Café with its special panoramic view of the city.

St. Saviour’s Dock was once one of London’s most squalid areas, described by none other than Charles Dickens as being among “the filthiest and strangest localities hidden in London,” and by The Morning Chronicle as “The Venice of Drains” (that’s a good one). Nowadays it’s full of luxury apartments and film crews: you may recognise the setting from one of Pierce Brosnan’s finest outings, The World is Not Enough.