The London Docklands was once a major port with docks, wharfs and jetties bustling with clippers, barges and steamships loading and unloading their cargo. In past centuries there was a great sense of community amongst the dockers and East End labouers living here. Major residential development began in the 1980s and many of the warehouses have been converted into modern apartments and penthouses.
Family houses are still rare in this part of London, but for young professionals working in "The City" on the north side of the river, it has become a convenient, cost effective and increasingly fashionable place to live.
Over the past 20 years, the population of the Docklands has more than doubled and the area has become both a major business centre and an increasingly acceptable area to live. Transport links have improved significantly, with the Isle of Dogs gaining a tube connection via the Jubilee Line and the Docklands Light Railway being extended to Beckton, Lewisham, London City Airport and North Woolwich. Canary Wharf has become one of Europe's biggest clusters of skyscrapers and direct challenge to the financial dominance of the City. Further east, the Royal Docks are finally being regenerated most prominently symbolised the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.
Although most of the old Dockland wharves and warehouses have been demolished, some have been restored and converted into flats. Most of the docks themselves have survived and are now used as marinas or watersports centres. Although large ships can - and occasionally still do - visit the old docks, all of the commercial traffic has moved down-river.
The revival of the Docklands has had major effects in run-down surrounding areas. Greenwich and Deptford are undergoing major redevelopment, chiefly as a result of the improved transport links making them more attractive to commuters.
The Docklands' redevelopment has, however, had some less beneficial aspects. The massive property boom and consequent rise in house prices has led to friction between the new arrivals and the old Docklands communities, who have complained of being squeezed out. It has also made for some of the most striking disparities to be seen anywhere in Britain: luxury executive flats constructed alongside run-down public housing estates.
Travel Links to Docklands
Shadwell (East London and Docklands Light Rail Lines), South Quay (Docklands Light Rail Line), North Greenwich (Jubilee Line) and Surrey Quays (East London Line)
Limehouse, Canning Town, Custom House and South Bermondsey Railway Stations
Motorway: Junction M11 Junction 4
Airport London City
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Property Investments Clapham, London SW4
Clapham was originally a small hamlet in the early 19th Century. The area now has two main assets: Clapham Common and excellent transport links into Central London and the City from Clapham Junction. Properties in this area range from splendid Georgian and Regency homes surrounding the Common to Victorian terraced houses and conversion apartments. Shops and restaurants can be found on Abbeville Village and Clapham Old Town.
History of Clapham
Clapham dates back to Saxon times, specifically a settlement known as "Osgod Clapha". The settlement was small and it didn't expand much further than hamlet size for some while. The Common provided grazing for farm animals then, and was still being used for this purpose until the beginning of the 20th century.
The land around Clapham was fairly marshy, and this limited development in the middle Ages. By the 17th century highwaymen were a common sight on the Common, stealing as much money as they could from passing stagecoaches.
Clapham started to expand at the end of the 17th century, as the Fire of London led to many homeless north Londoners arriving. Prostitution became big business, even though the women involved for the most part avoided the Common.
Clapham Junction station was constructed in the 19th century, and industry grew up around this part of the borough. Industry brought in more workers, and so housing development occurred as a result of this.
The 20th century didn't really see that much more development. Today Clapham is a popular residential district, with a thriving atmosphere. Clapham has become popular with young professionals, particularly those with children, and the area around Old Town, the High Street and Abbeville Road has been transformed by the cinema, bars, restaurants and shops.
Travel Links to Clapham
Clapham Common (Northern Line)
Clapham High Street Railway Station
Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1
Airport London City
History of Clapham
Clapham dates back to Saxon times, specifically a settlement known as "Osgod Clapha". The settlement was small and it didn't expand much further than hamlet size for some while. The Common provided grazing for farm animals then, and was still being used for this purpose until the beginning of the 20th century.
The land around Clapham was fairly marshy, and this limited development in the middle Ages. By the 17th century highwaymen were a common sight on the Common, stealing as much money as they could from passing stagecoaches.
Clapham started to expand at the end of the 17th century, as the Fire of London led to many homeless north Londoners arriving. Prostitution became big business, even though the women involved for the most part avoided the Common.
Clapham Junction station was constructed in the 19th century, and industry grew up around this part of the borough. Industry brought in more workers, and so housing development occurred as a result of this.
The 20th century didn't really see that much more development. Today Clapham is a popular residential district, with a thriving atmosphere. Clapham has become popular with young professionals, particularly those with children, and the area around Old Town, the High Street and Abbeville Road has been transformed by the cinema, bars, restaurants and shops.
Travel Links to Clapham
Clapham Common (Northern Line)
Clapham High Street Railway Station
Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1
Airport London City
Property Investments City of London EC1 & EC2
London's oldest area, the financial business heart, known as "The Square Mile", was settled by the Romans. It is placed as one of the top three global finance centres and the towers still overlook the narrow streets, unchanged since medieval times.
Once a largely residential area, many buildings have been converted into housing and restaurants. The City is rich in history, places of interest include the Museum of London, Sir Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral and of course the Tower of London. Living here has many advantages, namely excellent transport during the working week and easy access into all other parts of London, so the City is a great place to live if you want to be close to work.
History of City of London
In Celtic times there was a small number of villages dotted around in the area now known as the City, but it wasn't until the Romans founded 'Londinium' that the City became a major settlement. In AD61 Queen Boudicca brought the city to its knees. When the City was rebuilt, it was done with a heavy-duty wall surrounding it.
A turbulent time followed which saw a variety of men take the throne including later William (the Conqueror). Not long after the first stage of the Tower of London appeared, known as the White Tower. The stronghold within the walls of the City became a successful trading centre, although half the population died in the fearsome Black Death of 1347-48.
The City became extremely crowded, however the Plague, along with the Fire of London in 1666 destroyed many buildings and a large proportion of the population. Following the Fire of London, many of the buildings were rebuilt in stone and brick, although frequently following similar layouts as before.
The Georgian and Victorian eras saw the City become slightly more successful in approach, with numerous impressive buildings appearing, and hygiene at last being made a higher priority.
The German bombing during the Second World War saw countless fine structures destroyed or damaged, and the later 20th century was a period in which new developments like the Barbican Complex, appear across the Square Mile. Today the City is mostly a business district.
Travel Links to City of London
London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern Lines)
London Bridge Railway Station
Motorway Junction M1 Junction 1
Airport London City
Once a largely residential area, many buildings have been converted into housing and restaurants. The City is rich in history, places of interest include the Museum of London, Sir Christopher Wren's St Paul's Cathedral and of course the Tower of London. Living here has many advantages, namely excellent transport during the working week and easy access into all other parts of London, so the City is a great place to live if you want to be close to work.
History of City of London
In Celtic times there was a small number of villages dotted around in the area now known as the City, but it wasn't until the Romans founded 'Londinium' that the City became a major settlement. In AD61 Queen Boudicca brought the city to its knees. When the City was rebuilt, it was done with a heavy-duty wall surrounding it.
A turbulent time followed which saw a variety of men take the throne including later William (the Conqueror). Not long after the first stage of the Tower of London appeared, known as the White Tower. The stronghold within the walls of the City became a successful trading centre, although half the population died in the fearsome Black Death of 1347-48.
The City became extremely crowded, however the Plague, along with the Fire of London in 1666 destroyed many buildings and a large proportion of the population. Following the Fire of London, many of the buildings were rebuilt in stone and brick, although frequently following similar layouts as before.
The Georgian and Victorian eras saw the City become slightly more successful in approach, with numerous impressive buildings appearing, and hygiene at last being made a higher priority.
The German bombing during the Second World War saw countless fine structures destroyed or damaged, and the later 20th century was a period in which new developments like the Barbican Complex, appear across the Square Mile. Today the City is mostly a business district.
Travel Links to City of London
London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern Lines)
London Bridge Railway Station
Motorway Junction M1 Junction 1
Airport London City
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