The Ward of Billingsgate
The Ward of Billingsgate is one of 25 Wards
within the City’s Square Mile and is situated a little way east of Fish Street
Hill and Pudding Lane where the Great Fire started in 1666, and where now
stands the Monument designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
Billingsgate is synonymous with fish and with the world’s premier fish market, having started life at a water dock on the Thames, said to have been called Belins Gate, and from which the Ward Club derives its badge – Belini Porta.
In 1669 Billingsgate, by Act of Parliament, became a market specifically for fish serving the metropolitan area and beyond. Now re-sited out of the Ward in Docklands, the fish market continues, and still retains its links with the City.
Facing the old market, on the corner of St Mary at Hill, is the building of the former Billingsgate Christian Mission and Dispensary which had its foundation laid by the Lord Mayor on 24 July 1889 and served the many people involved in the work of the Market. Next door is Watermen’s Hall, built in 1780 to designs by William Blackburn and the only Georgian livery hall in the City. The Watermen & Lightermen have been connected with river traffic since the 16th century. The ancient sculling race for the Doggett’s Coat & Badge is open only to those who have qualified for the Freedom of the Company. It is held annually in July and rowed between London Bridge and Chelsea. South of Lower Thames Street stands the former Custom House, built by David Laing in 1817 and partially rebuilt by Robert Smirke in 1828.
On the east of the Ward are the remains of the church of St Dunstan-in-the-East, with its spire by Wren. The church was destroyed in the Blitz but the ruins were subsequently turned into a delightful garden, maintained by the City Corporation. On the west is the parish church of St Mary-at-Hill, which was severely damaged in the Great Fire. Upon the old foundations Sir Christopher Wren erected the present building in 1677. It has seen many structural alterations over the years and boasted a fine organ built by William Hill of London. Alas in 1988 the Church was badly damaged by fire, though it has been again restored to some of its former glory.
On the corner of Eastcheap and Rood Lane stands the Guild Church of St Margaret Pattens with which the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers has been associated since the 15th century. In the north-east of the Ward lies Minster Court, completed in 1991.
Billingsgate is synonymous with fish and with the world’s premier fish market, having started life at a water dock on the Thames, said to have been called Belins Gate, and from which the Ward Club derives its badge – Belini Porta.
In 1669 Billingsgate, by Act of Parliament, became a market specifically for fish serving the metropolitan area and beyond. Now re-sited out of the Ward in Docklands, the fish market continues, and still retains its links with the City.
Facing the old market, on the corner of St Mary at Hill, is the building of the former Billingsgate Christian Mission and Dispensary which had its foundation laid by the Lord Mayor on 24 July 1889 and served the many people involved in the work of the Market. Next door is Watermen’s Hall, built in 1780 to designs by William Blackburn and the only Georgian livery hall in the City. The Watermen & Lightermen have been connected with river traffic since the 16th century. The ancient sculling race for the Doggett’s Coat & Badge is open only to those who have qualified for the Freedom of the Company. It is held annually in July and rowed between London Bridge and Chelsea. South of Lower Thames Street stands the former Custom House, built by David Laing in 1817 and partially rebuilt by Robert Smirke in 1828.
On the east of the Ward are the remains of the church of St Dunstan-in-the-East, with its spire by Wren. The church was destroyed in the Blitz but the ruins were subsequently turned into a delightful garden, maintained by the City Corporation. On the west is the parish church of St Mary-at-Hill, which was severely damaged in the Great Fire. Upon the old foundations Sir Christopher Wren erected the present building in 1677. It has seen many structural alterations over the years and boasted a fine organ built by William Hill of London. Alas in 1988 the Church was badly damaged by fire, though it has been again restored to some of its former glory.
On the corner of Eastcheap and Rood Lane stands the Guild Church of St Margaret Pattens with which the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers has been associated since the 15th century. In the north-east of the Ward lies Minster Court, completed in 1991.