Bermondsey Old and New on a Sunny Day

Have you ever wandered in a classy borough of London and thought how soul-less it all is?

Similarly, some of the London’s Dickensian areas just feel like tourist traps now. So, take a tour of Bermondsey then, to discover city regeneration at its best.

We did just that on a sunny Tuesday, with our guide and good friend of TASHL, Andrew Davies.

Our meeting point set the scene with the Victorian Shipwright’s Arms pub behind us and the super sleek London Bridge Station to our left. Just in front (if you just stop and take it all in) you will find a comfortable mix of the old and new, a recurring theme in Bermondsey.

On our long and winding walk, Andrew drew or attention to every beautiful doorway, the ornate brickwork and the art works celebrating the old industries of the area.

The leatherworks and the wool market have gone but Bermondsey does not feel bereft of activity. Today, PR companies, graphic designers and the like occupy the upcycled buildings.  Office workers and residents relax in attractive squares and green spaces and appear untroubled by the high-rises still rising around them, for there is space for everyone it seems.

The lovely old buildings are not terribly grand as this was not a posh area in the main, but they do tell a story. See the old Fire Brigade Building, the Methodist Hall, the Morrocco Store and the many warehouses. There is an ancient original gatehouse to the old abbey and nearby, sits a lone tower left behind from the original St. Thomas’s hospital. The 18th century Guys hospital chapel also remains and is both a gorgeous sanctuary and a fitting tribute to Thomas Guy.

Guys of course is now a huge teaching hospital, one of the many towering blocks which don’t really seem to dominate but rather punctuate the area. The Shard rises majestically and is often in view reaching up above the old rooflines.

Bermondsey is moving forward in colour while its darker sepia version is still evident. Andrew Davies in true style, told us stories at each stop and it wasn’t hard to imagine what might have been. Ships from all over the globe once docked and unloaded in what is now The Galleria. There were rogues of course and up until fairly recently the Antiques Market was a trading post for items without provenance.

There is still a strong sense of community in the area as evidenced by projects for greenery and a real vibe of residency and enjoyment.  Perhaps the sunshine helped or maybe it was bumping into Zandra Rhodes on her way back to her textile museum nearby. Perhaps it was the abundance of cafés and interesting shops. Maybe it was the sight of fully used tennis courts and community art but Bermondsey felt like a place you could happily live. It is a real neighbourhood and a young creative’s paradise.