Tower Hamlets in situated to the East of the City of London, north of the River Thames in East London.
This area includes much of the Docklands including West India Docks.
Tower Hamlets is one of five boroughs in London to have been chosen to be hosts for the 2012 Olympics.
Tower Hamlets was named after the Tower of London and the hamlets that once surrounded it.
It was once home to Dick Turpin and Captain Cook and was an area that Queen Victoria was known to have loved.
This area has been subject to a large amount of regeneration and is now known the world over as ‘The Docklands’.
Tower Hamlets has been inhabited for thousands of years. The famous Tower of London is to the west of the borough. The area used to be marshland but this was gradually drained and became inhabitable. The population spread and work preventing the Thames flooding was carried out and new houses and warehouses were built in places such as Shadwell and Wapping.
Industries grew around the area, mostly to do with shipbuilding. Lime kilns for making mortar wee installed in the area that was to become Limehouse.
Tower Hamlets has always opened it doors to people of different faiths and cultures and many Bangladesh people settled here together with those from Somalia and Vietnam.
After the war the area fell into decline and buildings were left vacant. But true to form Tower Hamlets has rallied and since 1980 has seen a surge of industry and employment. Empty warehouses have become smart new office blocks and apartments with some gaining awards for their glass and steel designs.
Tower Hamlets is probably known best as the site of the Tower of London. The Tower was built in the 11th century and since then has been used as a fortress, palace, a state prison, and a zoo.
Nowadays it is home to the Crown Jewels and the Imperial State Crown worn by Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II at their coronations.
Also to be seen at the Tower are the Yeoman of the Guards, better known as the Beefeaters, in their red and black outfits.
The large black ravens in the grounds have always lived there and it is said that should these leave the Tower, the Kingdom would fall. The ravens for that reason have their wings clipped to prevent them from flying away.
Also famous is the Tower Bridge a majestic sight spanning the river. Nowadays it is a very busy road but ships still take precedence and the bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass beneath. Twenty-four hours notice must now be given for the bridge to be raised.
Inside the bridge are displays of the bridges history.
St. Katharine’s Dock is just beyond the Tower and having been restored now houses pubs, shops, restaurants and a marina.
Property for rent is available at costs of around £795 to £1305pw for a 2 bed flat.
The Borough has many shops some of which include Kiddies Planet, Oh Baby London, Jakss, Mish Mash, Hobbs, Modhubon, Whistles, Shazna Collection, Rockafella Clothing, Cube and Hackett Ltd.
Tower Hamlets has a wealth of history and visits to the old Jewish Quarter at Spitalfields or the historical buildings at Wapping and Limehouse are all worth a visit.
There are many markets in the area and the best known ones include Petticoat Lane, this is in several streets around Middlesex Street and sells in particular, clothing and leather goods. On Sundays up to 1,000 stalls are trading. There are shops and cafes around to rest in. The market opens Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm and from 9am to 3pm on Sundays.
Spitalfields market is in a covered Victorian market known for its fruit and vegetable sales. This now sells everything from crafts to clothes and furniture to fruit and vegetables. Wednesday is the food market, Thurs is for fashion and books and records are sold on the third Wednesday of every month.
Billingsgate Fish Market offers the widest range of fish for sale in the UK. Daily deliveries ensure fresh produce from England and abroad. There are also traders dealing poultry and trade sundries. The market is open from 5am to 8.30am Tuesday to Saturday and from 6am to 8am on Sundays.
The Dockland Sailing and Watersports Centre opened as a charitable organisation in 1989. It is Royal Yachting approved teaching establishment. Also available are rowing boats, canoes and dragon boats. Non-members may, for a daily fee, use the facilities.
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