Owing to the bending of the River Thames in the area,[1] Rotherhithe Street is around 1.5 miles (2.4 km) 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.[6] 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,[7] as is the city farmSurrey Docks Farm.[6] Other significant buildings on the street include the Trinity Halls and Church, which were built in 1836,[6] the former Rotherhithe fire station, which was active from 1906 until 1965 and has been converted to riverside flats,[6] 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][6] and around 2 acres (8,100 m2) 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]
Transport
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]
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