An area first recorded in 1356 as the place of Les Lymhostes, the streets and people of Limehouse have paid an invaluable part in the history of East London. With industries such as shipbuilding, ship chandlering and rope making based here, Limehouse was the London home for visiting sailors from all corners of the world, and became the capital’s first China Town.
Its streets have inspired writers such as Charles Dickens and Peter Ackroyd, and it also has an important political role through associations with Clement Atlee, the formation of the SDP and the Battle of Cable Street. In more recent years, the former docks have been redeveloped as the Limehouse Basin, providing home to many house-boat dwellers and a stunning leisure destination. Daniella King is our guide.
Presented in partnership with East London on Foot.
We’ve been working with our wonderful friend from Thoroughly Good, Jon Jacob, on a series of podcasts for you to listen to pre (or post!) our events. We hope you enjoy listening!
Episode 1: What’s in the Spitalfields Festival 2021
Jon Jacob speaks to composers Errollyn Wallen, Edmund Finnis, Howard Goodall, and David Fennessey about their new works, including a tribute to those carers who lost their lives in the first wave of the COVID pandemic.
