Heritage

The Spa name dates back to 1820, when entrepreneur Thomas Keyes created an entertainment complex there, including a pleasure garden and art gallery.

Bermondsey Abbey

A Priory dedicated to St Saviour was founded in 1082 by Aylwin Child and took 7 years to build.  At this time, the Cluniac monks came from France and were given property of the Abbey by William II, Henry I, Stephen & Edward I.  In 1213 an almonry was set up which later became St Thomas's Hospital.  In the 1380s the establishment broke from France and undertook building work to form a Benedictine Abbey in 1399.  It was surrendered to Henry VIII in 1537-8 when the abbot was given a pension and later made Bishop of Hereford.  The abbey buildings were sold and pulled down and the materials used by Sir Thomas Pope to build Bermondsey House (since demolished). 

The only remnant of the abbey is some stonework of the East Gate (demolished 1760) within 7 Grange Walk where some hinges can be seen.  The 300' nave lay along the line of Abbey Street with the crossing at the present Tower Bridge Road junction.  Bermondsey Square was the site of a courtyard with an inner gate to the north (demolished 1805) and an outer gate onto Bermondsey Street. Prior to the redevelopment of Bermondsey Square archaeological excavations were undertaken.  Grange Walk and Grange Road mark the location of the abbey farm.  Goods could be transported along the Neckinger to/from St Saviour's Dock and there was a riverside corn mill at present Mill Street.

Industry in Bermondsey Spa

Over the last 250 years, Bermondsey Spa has seen some radical changes. At the start of the 19th century, the area was mostly agricultural land.  Following this, food processing and leather industries were important in the area. The biggest industry was leather, dominated by two large tanneries - Grange Tannery and Neckinger Mills.

The Bermondsey riverfront was known as London's Larder due to the volume of foods unloaded and stored. Numerous household names were processed in the area but none remain.

Courages (beer) - Horsleydown Lane
Crosse & Blackwell (pickles) - Crimscott Street
Hartleys (jams) - Tower Bridge Road
Jacobs (biscuits) - Wolseley Street
Pearce & Duffs (custard) - Spa Road
Peek Freans (biscuits) - Drummond Road
Sarsons (vinegar) - Tower Bridge Road
Spillers (dog biscuits) - Jacob Street

As the river became an increasingly important trading centre, business boomed.  Slowly, the area became more urban, with the construction of workers accommodation, until by the mid-19th century, Bermondsey Spa had some of the most densely packed, unhealthy living and working conditions in London. 

Civic pride

It was also developing a sense of identity and civic pride.  In 1881 Bermondsey Town Hall was built, along with schools, a library and public baths.  Volunteer organisations and philanthropic individuals attempted to alleviate the growing poverty, most notably Alfred Salter who provided food, clothing, education and medical services, as well as planting trees and encouraging new businesses.

In the early part of the 20th century, Bermondsey Council embarked on a major programme to improve the area, building new housing, planting more than 6,000 trees and creating Bermondsey Spa gardens.

After that time, the pace of change slowed. The local authority undertook some rebuilding following severe damage sustained during World War Two bombing raids, and more recently, the property boom has led to some private housing development, including warehouse conversions.  But gradually, the traditional industries have died out, replaced by a limited number of offices, shops and community facilities.  The area has experienced considerable de-population in the past hundred years which is surprising given its proximity to central London employment and amenities.