| Rotherhithe Street | |
| Image Alt: | Picture of a pub |
| Owner: | London Borough of Southwark |
| Length Mi: | 1.5 |
| Postal Code: | SE16 |
| Metro: | Rotherhithe railway station |
| Known For: | Longest road in London |
Rotherhithe Street is a road in the London Borough of Southwark on the Thames Path. At a length of around 1.5miles, it is the longest street in London. Notable buildings on the street include the Grade II* listed Nelson House, St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks Farm.
Owing to the bending of the River Thames in the area,[1] Rotherhithe Street is around 1.5miles long, making it the longest street in London.[2] [3] [4] The road runs parallel to the River Thames,[5] and comprises part of the Thames Path.[2]
The street contains the 18th century Grade II* listed Nelson House, a Georgian house situated next to Nelson Dock.[2] [3] Nelson Dock is a dry dock, active from the 17th century until 1968,[3] and now has the ship La Dame de Serk permanently moored. The Mayflower pub, a pub named after the Pilgrim Fathers' ship,[1] and which claims to be the oldest London riverside pub, is situated on Rotherhithe Street,[6] as is the city farm Surrey Docks Farm. Other significant buildings on the street include the Trinity Halls and Church, which were built in 1836,[7] the former Rotherhithe fire station, which was active from 1906 until 1965 and has been converted to riverside flats,[7] and the free entry Rotherhithe Heritage Museum.[2] [3] At one end of the street is St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe, where Prince Lee Boo is buried.[3] There is also a Hilton hotel on Rotherhithe Street,[3] [7] and around 2acres of former dockland near to the street has been converted into a nature park.[1]
In 1868, a number of timber buildings on Rotherhithe Street including the White Lion pub were badly damaged by a fire.[8] In 1893, two pubs on the street, The Three Compasses and Noah's Ark, were both put up for sale,[9] and in 1900, a mill at 9-13 Rotherhithe Street was also put up for sale.[10]
Towards one end of Rotherhithe Street is the Rotherhithe Tunnel, which goes under the Thames and links Rotherhithe with Wapping.[3] Thames Clippers operate a ferry between Rotherhithe Street and Canary Wharf.[11] In 2020, plans were announced for a new Transport for London owned electric ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, replacing previous plans for a bridge between the two areas.[11] [12] The street is planned to become part of the Rotherhithe Cycleway.[12]