A short wander around the former factories of Bermondsey

Being fairly new to wandering around Bermondsey in South London, some of the finds on my wanders which inspired me most were the former factories. Although the area was bombed heavily during the second world war, there are a number of factories still standing, although no longer used for their original purpose but instead converted to mostly high-end, residential dwellings.

First up we have the former Hartley's Jam Factory in Green Walk, London SE1. This was built in 1890 and at the height of its use employed over 2,000 workers. Sugar would be delivered to Hartley's own wharf on the Thames from the sugar factory in Silvertown, and fruit was brought in by train from Kent.

The buildings and chimney are still intact, and much of the original signage exists, although I suspect it may have been treated to a fresh coat of paint.

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Being unsure whether I should try and negotiate entry with the security staff, I decided to restrict my picture taking to the outside of the complex, which meant unfortunately I could not get any decent pictures of the chimney. The nearest I managed to get were these two, where the chimney is just about visible through the railings, and the vertical lettering can just about be seen.

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Former Hartley's Jam Factory, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Next up we have the Pickle Factory, on the site of the former Crosse and Blackwell's factory in Crimscott Street, Bermondsey, SE1, where in its pickling heyday some 2,000 onions were peeled by hand, contributing to both Branston Pickle and Worcestershire Sauce. The factory eventually closed in 1969.

Former Pickle Factory, Crimscott Street, Bermondsey, South London SE1

Former Pickle Factory, Crimscott Street, Bermondsey, South London SE1

And finally in this short post, we have what is probably my favourite of the three, not for the trade it used to deal in, but for the art deco architecture and lettering. The Alaska Factory, on Grange Road, was a fur processing factory that took sealskin deliveries from Canada and Alaska. In world ward two, the factory used sheepskin to make RAF flying suits and linings for flying jackets. The factory was eventually closed in 1960 and converted into apartments.

The white art deco tower below was built in the 1930's and was not part of the original 1869 factory.

Former Alaska Factory, Grange Road, Bermondsey, South London

The original arch with the more recent art deco tower in the background.

Former Alaska Factory, Grange Road, Bermondsey, South London

A slightly more close-up picture of the original 1869 arch, where you can just about make out the seal above the year.

Former Alaska Factory, Grange Road, Bermondsey, South London

Unfortunately I ran out of time to explore the roads around this wonderful piece of architecture as I'm sure they would have revealed even more ... maybe that will have to wait until next time.

A wander around Kennington, South London SE11

 Days, weeks, months, and even years pass by and I realise that I've not found time (or more accurately not made time) to write blog posts. I have plenty of material to share, ranging from psychogeographic drifts through London and other villages, towns and cities, to my rediscovered love of vinyl. So, where to (re)start? Perhaps it's best to start with a post work wander through a part of London that, until recently, I wasn't familiar with at all: Kennington.

I guess my work locations, record shopping trips, and previous train spotting haunts as a kid, never took me to Kennington. The closest I would have ventured would have been the Imperial War Museum, I guess, and that would most likely have been by tube, or the short walk from Waterloo.

So, when I started a new contract in early 2023 near the Tate Modern, I couldn't wait to use my lunch breaks and evenings to wander the nearby streets to see what was around.

First up is the rather wonderful clock attached to the London Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance Friendly Society building, at 176 Blackfriars Road. It seems the clock has stooped at ten to six. I didn't realise this at the time, as it must have been around that time of day when I was wandering past, but all the other pictures I've found of it on the internet have the same time. Still, at least it's correct twice a day.

Sons of Temperance Friendly Society, 176 Blackfriars Road

As I continued my drift southwards, I soon entered a bit of a lost world of former shops and pubs, all of which now seem to have been converted into residential premises.

Former pub, The Two Eagles, Austral Street, Kennington, London

Unfortunately there don't seem to be any clues as to what this building used to be. It looks like a former shop, but all I could find online was an estate agent advertisement for it.

Former shop, Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

At least this former shop next door bears a name telling everyone of its previous purpose. Quite an impressive size if all of it was a sweet shop.

Former sweet shop, Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

Now back to a few more unidentified buildings, which once again I am assuming were at one time, shops of some sort.

Former shop, Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

Former shop, Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

Not sure about this one however. It has more of a look of a mews building, with perhaps stables where the garages now are.

Again, there's a dearth of information as to what the building below once was. It has the looks of some sort of factory requiring plenty of light, judging by the windows, and reminds me of former print works I have seen in other parts of London. 

Former factory(?), Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

Fortunately both the signage and the internet gives plenty of indication what this used to be. This is the former Walcot Stores, again in Walcot Square. The blank space beneath the wording WALCOT STORES on the sign once read

for Quality

GROCERIES

PROVISIONS

COOKD MEATS

The shop was used as the location for one of the fairly gruesome scenes in the 1990 film, The Krays.

The former Walcot Stores, Walcot Square, Kennington, South London

I'm not sure about this next one. It could have been a former pub, but I cannot find any documented at this location on the Lost Pubs Project site, so am assuming that perhaps it was a former shop.

Former pub or shop(?), Monkton Street, Kennington, South London SE11

On the side of the building which cannot be seen in this shot, the wall still bears signage of The Lambeth Tavern

Former pub, The Lambeth Tavern, on the corner of Walnut Tree Walk and Lambeth Walk, South London

Quite the collection of former shops along Lambeth Walk

Former shops in Lambeth Walk, South London

Well, that's all for today folks. Hopefully it won't be quite so long until I post again as I've actually quite enjoyed doing this one. I must admit though it has helped by raining today so that I didn't feel guilty sitting at my laptop instead of being outside.