Walworth, London
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Walworth is a place in the London Borough of Southwark, between Camberwell and Elephant and Castle. The name Walworth probably derives its name from the old English "Wealhworth" which meant Welsh (British) farm. Walworth is 1.9 miles (3.1 km) south east of Charing Cross.
The major streets in Walworth are the Old Kent Road and Walworth Road. It once had a Common surrounded by streets with houses on one side, the Common on the other. This whole area is now destroyed and covered by housing.
John Smith House is on Walworth Road, and was renamed in memory of John Smith, who was leader of the Labour Party for under two years in the early 1990s. It was a former headquarters of the Labour Party and was often seen in news reports at election times and in the background as people came to and went from stormy meetings of the Labour Party National Executive Committee. It is now used by the London Borough of Southwark as the home for its education department.
St. Peter's Church, Walworth, built circa 1825, is an excellent example of the neo-classical style of church built by Sir John Soane.
It is an indication of the wealth of the middle-class merchants who then lived in the vicinity that they could afford an architect of such prominence.
Manor Place Baths is a former wash house in Manor Place off Walworth Road. It is a grade II listed building. The exterior is preserved but the interior of the building is currently part of Southwark Borough Council's Manor Place Depot, a household waste and recyling depot. The building is currently undergoing internal renovation by the Kagyu Samye Dzong Tibetan Buddhist Centre who obtained a 5-year lease in 2005.
Walworth also used to have a Zoo, in Royal Surrey Gardens, which was visited by Queen Victoria.
East Street market is a major street market.
For an account of gentrification in Walworth see http://www.56a.org.uk/gentry.html.
Famous ex-residents
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