It’s also a great spot if you fancy a pint or two with a really excellent pub
London is a city brimming with historical echoes, if you know where to search for them. Consider Narrow Street in Limehouse, for example.
It’s not simply a picturesque walk along the Thames providing magnificent views of London’s skyline, it’s also a voyage through the ages. The street harks back to the 18th Century, as demonstrated by its wonderfully preserved Georgian terraced houses.
And what finer way to satisfy your thirst during this historical wander than with a pint at The Grapes pub?
This delightful gastro-pub is owned by none other than Sir Ian McKellen himself. You might even catch a glimpse of Gandalf nestled in a corner on pub quiz night – just pray there aren’t any Lord of the Rings questions!
If you’re tested about The Grapes, here are some amusing facts – it was built in 1720, withstood the Blitz and was a beloved haunt of Charles Dickens.
Limehouse itself boasts a history stretching back to 1356 when it was known as Les Lymhostes – undeniably a more elegant name – named after the lime kilns employed in the local pottery industries. It’s difficult to fathom now, but this tranquil street was once a thriving centre of commerce owing to its prime position on the Thames.
Even Sir Francis Drake departed from Limehouse Wharf on one of his New World expeditions.
While most Londoners are acquainted with the lively Chinatown in Westminster, it’s not the original Chinese centre of the capital – that distinction belongs to Limehouse. In the late 19th century, a wave of Chinese sailors and their families made their home in Narrow Lane, transforming it into a thriving hub for tea and opium trade, for which the area became notorious.
Even Sherlock Holmes is said to have visited Limehouse for his opium fix. The Chinese community subsequently moved to Soho following the Blitz.
While you can still get a flavour of what Narrow Street was like in its heyday, the area has undergone substantial redevelopment since the 1990s, much like numerous parts of the capital. This transformation has caused property prices to soar and drawn some excellent restaurants to the neighbourhood.
One notable venue is Gordon Ramsay’s stylish gastropub, The Narrow. If you’re searching for things to do in London, a walk down Narrow Street won’t disappoint.
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