We had a day out in London last Saturday to go and see British Sea Power at the Barbican in the evening, so decided to make a day of it and went up around lunch time to walk along the Limehouse Cut, which runs from Limehouse to Three Mills. The walk seemed to tick all the boxes for a good urban wander - ghost signs, industrial architecture, gas holders, abandonment and railways.
First up we have a ghost sign, albeit lovingly restored by the look of it, and now adorning what would seem to be flats in Limehouse.
Ghost sign, Limehouse, London E14
A few pictures now of the Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, looking rather marvelous against the clear, autumn sky. As with the signage in the previous picture, I imagine this has been restored at some stage as the buildings were renovated and converted.
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
I can only assume this chimney was at one stage considerably taller and said SPRATT'S as opposed to just T'S.
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
Spratt's Patent Limited dog food factory, Limehouse Cut, London
A considerably less legible sign now, as we leave the Limehouse Cut and join the River Lea.
BRITISH WATERWAYS
?? ONLY
BEYOND THIS POINT
Ghost sign, Limehouse Cut, London
As the Limehouse Cut joins the River Lea, we come across the Bow Locks with the former Bow gas works in the background.
Bow locks, London
Bow locks, London
Bow locks, London
Bow locks, London
Heading north from Bow Locks we came across a railway bridge carrying the District and Metropolitan lines from London towards Barking and Dagenham, and also the main line out from Fenchurch Street into Essex.
Railway bridge over the River Lea, Bromley-by-Bow, London
Railway bridge over the River Lea, Bromley-by-Bow, London
Former gas works, Bow, London
Former gas works, Bow, London
Whilst I fully expected to see gas works and railway lines, what I came across next was a complete surprise ... Three Mills Island, home to a large tidal mill and some television studios.
Three Mills Island, London
Three Mills Island, London
Three Mills Island, London
Couldn't resist taking this picture of some disused railway tracks. Not sure where the went to or from though, but presumably down to the river at some stage?
Three Mills Island, London
So as a day of excellent urban wandering came to an end, we made our way back into the City, took our seats in the Barbican, only to be cursed by a power failure which meant that the concert had to be postponed. Oh well, at least the day had not been wasted, and we returned to the country retreat disappointed but quite glad of an early night.
