Queenhithe: An Anglo-Saxon Dock And A Wonderful Mosaic

The South bank of the river in London is very popular for a weekend wander and for obvious reasons: the Globe, Tate Modern and Borough Market to name but a few sights.

I would however also recommend the less well-trodden North bank between Tower Bridge and Blackfriars. It is usually a bit quieter and also has many historical secrets and surprises to discover.

One of those sites is Queenhithe Dock. It has a fascinating history and a 30m long mosaic laying out a timeline of the city’s tumultuous history. 

Queenhithe Dock

Queenhithe Dock can be found here. 

The name means ‘The Queen’s Dock/Wharf’ and it is the only surviving Anglo-Saxon dock, not only in London but in the whole world. 

Archeological evidence of Roman quays has been found here but it was in 886AD when Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings and reoccupied the old Roman city when the dock’s life truly began.

Alfred established ‘Ethelred’s Hythe’ here as a trading shore where goods were sold directly from boats. The area around the dock was among the earliest parts to be re-founded and charters date the dock to 889AD. 

Various wooden revetments going back through the Anglo Saxon period have been uncovered here, preserved by the waterlogged, anaerobic conditions in the mud and silt. 

It became known as ‘Queenhithe’ in the early 12th century when Queen Matilda, wife of Henry I, was granted duty payments from the dock. 

By the 13th century it had become the principal dock in London for foodstuffs, particularly grain, but its usage started to decline in the 15th century as better facilities could be found downriver at Billingsgate for larger ships.

At low tide you can still spot the remains of 19th century barge beds. These were used to level and flatten the foreshore for flat bottomed barges. 

Today the dock is a scheduled ancient monument, you can see its Historic England list entry here.

The Mosaic

The Queenhithe Mosaic was installed from 2011 to 2014 by 300 artists and volunteers. Experts, led by Tessa Hunkin, worked alongside local residents and school children.

It tells the history of Queenhithe and London from the Romans…

… through the medieval period and key events such as the Battle of Hastings…

… right up to the 21st century and the creation of the mosaic.

What To Look Out For

The Thames is the reason London exists where it does and has always been at the heart of London’s story, so you will see that the Thames runs through the middle of the entire 30 metre mosaic. Spot also London Bridge crossing over it, the only bridge over the Thames in central London until 1750. 

Incorporated into the design are pottery, materials and shells found on the foreshore here relevant to the timeline, each item dated by archaeologist Mike Webber. For example, the Tudor section is lined with Tudor tiles. 

It contains depictions of London’s major disasters: the Great Fire, the Great Plague and the Blitz. 

Key figures from the city’s history appear such as Shakespeare and Dick Whittington. 

I also loved the depictions of the flora and fauna of the river.

A historic site, with a fantastic bit of artwork and a lovely stop along the way on a walk along the North bank.

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