Everything about Shadwell totally explained
Shadwell is a inner-city district situated within the
London Borough of Tower Hamlets located on the north bank of the
Thames between
Wapping to the west and
Limehouse to the east. It is located east of
Charing Cross and forms part of the
East End of London.
History
Virtually uninhabited until the 17th century, Shadwell was originally a marine-centred
hamlet with roperies, tan yards, breweries, wharves, smiths and numerous taverns, which built up around the chapel of St Paul's. Seventy-five sea captains are buried in its churchyard, while
Captain Cook had his son baptised there. The name supposedly derives from an unpleasant (
Shad, literally 'shite') local well. (The name of
Shad Thames on the south bank is likely unrelated.)
The area is dominated by the enclosed former dock,
Shadwell Basin. This once formed the eastern entrance to the then London docks, with a channel leading west to
St Katharine Docks. It is actually two dock basins - the south basin was constructed in 1828-32 and the north basin in 1854-8. Unlike nearby
Limehouse Basin, few craft larger than canoes can be seen on Shadwell Basin, which is largely used for fishing and watersports - and as a scenic backdrop to the recent residential developments that line it.
The basin, however, is still connected to the Thames and the channel is spanned by an impressive bascule bridge that's rarely raised these days.
Parish church
St. Paul's Shadwell with St. James Ratcliffe, is traditionally known as the
Church of Sea Captains. In 1656 the church was established as a
Chapel of Ease, from
St Dunstan's, at
Stepney. In 1669, it was rebuilt as the Parish Church of Shadwell, and it was the last of five parish churches rebuilt after the
Restoration. In 1820, it was again rebuilt as a '
Waterloo church'.
Captain
James Cook was an active parishioner and
John Wesley preached in the church from time to time.
Isham Randolph, one of
Thomas Jefferson's grandfathers and son of
William Randolph, was married in St. Paul's church. Jefferson's boyhood home was named
Shadwell after the parish.
Notable current and former residents of Shadwell
Transport and locale
Nearest places
Wapping
Stepney
Limehouse
Whitechapel
Nearest tube stations
Shadwell tube station
Wapping tube stationFurther Information
Get more info on 'Shadwell'.
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