For this week, the entry on to my London Shoes website is about a small specific area of London right alongside the Thames and not very far away from where I worked in Carnary Wharf – but, although small, a place that has a wealth of nautical and social history.
The subject matter for my jaunt this week is:- “Narrow Street” and “Limehouse” – London E14
Narrow Street is erm… a ‘narrow street’ running parallel to the River Thames through the Limehouse area of East London.
The street itself is the oldest part of Limehouse, and located in it are some of the few remaining and best preserved terraced houses in London, originating from the early 1700’s Georgian period.
The earliest reference to the area of Limehouse itself, dates right back to 1356 when the district was known as “Les Lymhostes” because of its connections to lime kilns used in the pottery industries that operated from there in the 14th century.
Also – because of the towns position on the Thames, particularly in relation to the River’s tides and currents etc, Limhouse was a natural location as a landing spot for boats and ships – it’s very first wharf being constructed there in 1348.
Throughout the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, the whole area grew rapidly and became one of the leading centres in London for world trade – so much so that by the early 1600’s half of the town’s population were either mariners, or connected to other nautical trades such as ropes making, ships chandlers and producing pottery utensils for ships etc.
In fact there was so much congestion in the area along this particular part of the river front, what with all the wooden residencies of the workers and the businesses producing nautical necessities – it is believed that is how ‘Narrow Street’ got its name – simply because of the crammed closeness of all the buildings situated along it.
The famous Elizabethan explorer Sir Francis Drake, set off on one of his voyages to the New World from the Limehouse wharf.
In 1661, the famous diarist Samuel Pepys wrote a lengthy piece about a visit he made to a porcelain factory located in Narrow Street, while on his way to view work on boats being built for herring fishing.
In 1766, the Limehouse Bridge Dock was constructed for barges and small ships to access the ‘Limehouse Cut’, which was a man-made canal that led further inland to the River Lee.
Although most of the trading ships cargoes were unloaded further up the Thames at the Pool of London – the ‘Limehouse Basin’ was opened in 1820 as the Regent’s Canal Dock, specifically to transport unloaded smaller goods and cargo, on to barges on the Regent’s Canal – making Limehouse an important connection between the Thames and the canal systems, where cargoes could be transferred from larger ships to the smaller canal boats.
The ‘Basin’ and the ‘Cut’ were linked together in the early 19th century – but over the following 100 years, the use of Limehouse Basin as a major distribution hub eventually declined with the growth of the railways – so much so that as a result of the development of technology, the ‘Limehouse Basin’ became one of the very first of London’s docks to close in the late 1960s.
From the Tudor period right up until the late 1800’s ships crews were employed on a casual basis – and a lot of foreign sailors found themselves disembarking at places such as Narrow Street in Limehouse, whilst ‘in-between’ jobs/journeys – and this had the effect of creating mini-communities of different nationalities.
In the late 1800’s, Limehouse became an area where particularly large communities of Chinese sailors (and their families) settled.
Chinese sailors generally traded in tea and opium, and Limehouse became notorious for its opium dens. It was also famous for its Chinese Laundry’s – and as a result the area developed its own Chinatown district – the first in London — and Limehouse even had its own Confucian temple.
This caused quite a few ‘social’ problems in the area, especially in the late 1800s, and Londoners became quite prejudiced against the Limehouse Chinese. These attitudes were not helped by popular books such as the “Fu Manchu” series, which focussed on Limehouse opium dens and its criminal problems. Even Arthur Conan Doyle had Sherlock Holmes regularly come to Limehouse in his novels, in search of his opium.
Today, there are still a number of residential streets in the Limehouse area that reflect the Chinese influence on the area.
Even the 1930’s/40’s entertainer George Formby referred to Limehouse in one of his most popular hits of the time “Chinese Laundry Blues” – see lyric extract below:-
“Now Mr. Nu, he’s got a naughty eye that flickers.
You ought to see it wobble when he’s ironing ladies ‘blouses’.
Mr. Wu, what shall I do, I’m feeling kind of Limehouse Chinese Laundry Blues”
Like much of the east end of London, particularly near the old dock areas, Limehouse remained a settling point for immigrants, but after the devastation of the Second World War many of the Chinese community in the Narrow Street and the Limehouse area, relocated to Soho in London’s west end.
So – after a day of strolling up and down a freezing cold and blustery Narrow Street, and the rest of the area –and in desperate need of a ‘cheeky’ beer – I decided to visit probably one of Limehouse’s most famous and most popular tourist attractions – “The Grapes” pub in Narrow Street – a boozer that itself is steeped in history.
“The Grapes” is a small early Georgian building that has been a pub site for over 500 years – and it has certainly been resilient throughout the centuries as it has survived the industrial revolution, centuries of redevelopment and even The Blitz!
One of its main claims to fame is that it was once a favourite drinking den of the author Charles Dickens – who used it as an influence by referring to it as “The Six Jolly Fellowship Porters pub” in the opening chapter of his 1685 book “Our Mutual Friend”.
In 2011 the legendary actor “Sir Ian McKellen” and a couple of his mates, bought the pub – and still own it to this day.
In fact Sir Ian frequents the pub regularly, and the barman told me that he is particularly fond of the Monday evening quiz nights.
Behind the bar is the actual wooden “staff” that Sir Ian used when portraying the character of Gandalf in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ blockbuster films.
So – Narrow Street & Limehouse – a really good place (on a warm sunny day) to spend an enjoyable few hours.
Hope you enjoyed this piece and its accompanying photos.

Close-up map of the Limehouse district and its alignment to the River Thames – and also Narrow Street

Old street sign of Narrow Street

Examples of the early 1700’s Georgian terraced housing – in Narrow Street

Example of the old warehouse type buildings located down in Narrow Street – that depict the shipping/nautical industries of the past

Another example of the old warehouse type buildings located down in Narrow Street – that depict the shipping/nautical industries of the past

More examples of the old warehouse type buildings located down in Narrow Street – that depict the shipping/nautical industries of the past

More examples of the old warehouse type buildings located down in Narrow Street – that depict the shipping/nautical industries of the past

More examples of the old warehouse type buildings located down in Narrow Street – that depict the shipping/nautical industries of the past

Me – & examples of the early 1700’s Georgian terraced housing – in Narrow Street

A fine example of the early Georgian terraced housing – in Narrow Street

Me – mooching down (a very cold and windy) Narrow Street

Examples of the old Georgian style front doors and windows – down in Narrow Street

More examples of the Georgian terraced architecture down in Narrow Street – with the towers of Canary Wharf in the distance

More examples of the Georgian terraced architecture down in Narrow Street – with the towers of Canary Wharf in the distance

The view at the very end of Narrow Street – very close to where I used to work in Canary Wharf

Street reference to the Limehouse Basin area – off Narrow Street

Looking out from the Limehouse Basin area – onto the Thames

World renowned Chef Gordon Ramsey’s “The Narrow” restaurant – in Narrow Street

Me – on the ‘Thames Path’ that runs parallel to Narrow Street, – looking towards Canary Wharf

Me – on the ‘Thames Path’ that runs parallel to Narrow Street, – looking towards the ‘Pool of London’ – near the City

View from the ‘Thames Path’ that runs parallel to Narrow Street, – looking towards Canary Wharf

Public signage on display – re: Lock and River controls – Limehouse Basin

Street signage references to the Limehouse Basin and the Limehouse Cut – waterways – just off Narrow Street

Looking towards the Limehouse Basin

The locks situated around the Limehouse Basin

The locks mechanisms situated in the Limehouse Basin

Me – In the Limehouse Basin – now a marina

Locks – in the Limehouse Basin waterways

Example of ‘plastic pollution’ – Limehouse Basin

The ‘river’ side views of the buildings currently down Narrow Street

Street signs of Limehouse – reflecting the historic trades that were conducted there

Street signs of Limehouse – reflecting the historic trades that were conducted there

One of the many streets in Limehouse that reference the earlier residency of the Chinese communities that settled there

Another of the many streets in Limehouse that reference the earlier residency of the Chinese communities that settled there

Another of the many streets in Limehouse that reference the earlier residency of the Chinese communities that settled there

Another of the many streets in Limehouse that reference the earlier residency of the Chinese communities that settled there

The old Victorian viaduct in Limehouse – that now accommodates the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) -……….you can see one of the trains passing over it

An extremely freezing me – alongside the old Victorian viaduct, next to Limehouse station

“The Grapes” pub sign – Narrow Street

The early Georgian building that is now “The Grapes” pub in Narrow Street – the site has been a pub for over 500 years – and has been co-owned by actor Sir Ian McKellen since 2011

Me – outside “The Grapes” pub – Narrow Street

The wooden staff behind the bar of The Grapes pub – that was used by Sir Ian McKellen during his portrayal of Gandalf in the blockbuster movies “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”

Me – neckin down a ‘cheeky’ one in The Grapes – Narrow Street-Limehouse-London E14
Used “The Grapes” pub a lot when working at Limehouse. Was run by a lovely lady called Barbara who I believe was previously top bunny at the Playboy Club – my mate Clarkey (RIP) never lied. Fantastic pub to meet and chat. My friend Dennis Booty owned Boots just a few doors along. He was an ex-boxer and true gentleman, a best friend of Henry Cooper. Both also sadly departed. Your blog has brought back so many memories, thankyou. Brilliant
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I am fascinated by this because my 3rd great grandfather John Giles Lamb born in 1798 and members of his family were mast and block makers. They owned Lamb’s Wharf at either number 90 or 92 Narrow Street. I live in New Zealand, will be in England in August and hoping to find the time to take my own photos of Narrow Street and drink a toast to my ancestors in The Grapes
Hi Madeleine,
I have come across your post while researching the docks for a family project.
There is a painting by Charles Napier-Hemy which depicts the buildings of Narrow Street from the Thames and clearly shows Lamb Mast & Block Maker – a copy can be seen on the Art UK website – link below:
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/london-river-the-limehouse-barge-builders-34790
Thought this might be of interest. The original is currently on display in the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.
Amy
Hi Madeleine,
I have come across your post while researching the docks for a family project.
There is a painting by Charles Napier-Hemy which depicts the buildings of Narrow Street from the Thames and clearly shows Lamb Mast & Block Maker – a copy can be seen on the Art UK website – link below:
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/london-river-the-limehouse-barge-builders-34790
Thought this might be of interest. The original is currently on display in the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.
Amy
Hi Amy
Thank you for being so kind in letting me know about the painting. However, I was aware of it and have made my own copy to attach to my family tree. I also found a black and white photo of Lamb’s Wharf taken in 1937 which took several years to find.
I did go to The Grapes last year and saw a copy of the painting hanging on the wall. Not quite the same as seeing the original but good enough for me.
I well remember the docks, I lived south of the river and crossed on the ferry to get to my grandparents house. I loved seeing all the ship’s funnels and the ‘busyness’ in the East India dock.
Thanks again and best wishes, Madeleine
Interesting, my Great great great grandfather Aubrey Alfred Woodwell was a wharfinger, coal merchant and flour factor in Limehouse, born in 1785. The next 2 generations were all Limehouse born and bred. I too now live in New Zealand!
Hi Caroline
Thanks for your message. It’s taken me a while to reply, a bit rude of me I think.
Anyway, I am now convinced – it really is a small world.
I tried to find your ancestors in the Ancestry website, I did it when I got your message and now I can’t remember how much i found.
I traced my fifth great grandfather, he was born in Bermondsey in 1753 his sons moved across to Limehouse where they had the mast and blockmakers business at Lamb’s Wharf.
It’s all fascinating stuff.
Kind regards, Madeleine
Wow, this particular blog is fantastic. My younger sister is currently studying London’s history and these
kind of historic places, and I am therefore going to make sure she reads this..
Hi there – I just wanted to say, what a wonderful blog
Hi
I own a flat in LimeHouse Wharf on Narrow Street it’s a great place to live.
Do you know the best place to find out more about our building and the J&R Wilson Co that used the building as a warehouse for ships supplies. Old photos of the building over the last 80 years is something I’m also looking for.
Hi Kevin
Like most things these days you will find Google very handy for finding things, I searched for ‘J&R Wilson Co limehouse’ and found a photo here:
https://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/view-item?i=121503&WINID=1563441987974
Other than that I can’t find anything quickly, i’d suggest you keep plugging away.
I’m not from this part of London but found this website while looking for something else. Thank you, it is fascinating. No matter how many time I read it, I see something I missed.
Hi Michael – just wanted to thank you for taking the time & trouble to contact London Shoes – I’m so pleased to hear that you are enjoying my website and finding my blogs interesting – hopefully you will continue follow and enjoy my future publications.
Kind regards……..GEOFF (LONDON SHOES)