Shadwell

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For other uses, see Shadwell (disambiguation).

Shadwell

Coordinates: 51.5071° N 0.0466° W
OS grid reference	TQ355805
London borough	Tower Hamlets
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	E1
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Bethnal Green and Bow
London Assembly	City and East
European Parliament	London
List of places: UK • England • London

Shadwell is an inner-city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets located on the north bank of the Thames between Wapping to the west and Limehouse to the east. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Charing Cross and forms part of the East End of London.

1 History
- 1.1 Parish church
2 Natives of Shadwell
3 Nearest places
4 Nearest tube stations
5 External links

[edit] History

Virtually uninhabited until the 17th century, Shadwell was originally a marine-centred hamlet with roperies, tan yards, breweries, wharves, smiths and numerous taverns, which built up around the chapel of St Paul's. Seventy-five sea captains are buried in its churchyard, while Captain Cook had his son baptised there. The name supposedly derives from an unpleasant (Shad, literally 'shite') local well. The name of Shad Thames on the south bank has a similar origin.

Shadwell Basin bascule bridge. (January 2006)

The area is dominated by the enclosed former dock, Shadwell Basin. This once formed the eastern entrance to the then London docks, with a channel leading west to St Katherine's Dock. It is actually two dock basins - the south basin was constructed in 1828-32 and the north basin in 1854-8. Unlike nearby Limehouse Basin, few craft larger than canoes can be seen on Shadwell Basin, which is largely used for fishing and watersports - and as a scenic backdrop to the recent residential developments that line it.

The basin, however, is still connected to the Thames and the channel is spanned by an impressive bascule bridge that is rarely raised these days.

[edit] Parish church

St. Paul's Shadwell with St. James Ratcliffe, is traditionally known as the "Church of Sea Captains" in 1656 the church was established at first as the Chapel of Ease. In 1669 it was rebuilt as the Parish Church of Shadwell, and it was the last of five parish churches rebuilt after the Restoration. In 1820 it was again rebuilt as a Waterloo church. Captain James Cook was an active parishioner and John Wesley preached in the church from time to time. Jane Rogers was baptized in the church.

Isham Randolph, one of Thomas Jefferson's grandfathers and son of William Randolph, was married in St. Paul's church. Jefferson's boyhood home was named Shadwell after the parish.