Here at Secret London, we love a ruin. Now that’s not to say we prefer when a building falls into disrepair – far from it! But there is something so alluring about wandering around fallen walls, under crumbling arches, and seeing nature reclaim the stone foundations. That’s why places like St Dunstan in the East are among our favourite spots to visit. But did you know there is another ruin – of a royal manor house no less – that you’ll find in South London, on the banks of the river?
Hidden away in Rotherhithe, just off the Thames Path, is a seemingly nondescript small park. Within it, you’ll find a rare medieval historical site. Peeking out from the grass, you can spot the remains of an old manor house that used to belong to King Edward III. Dating all the way back to the 1300s, it might not look like much, but it has a fascinating history.
King Edward III’s manor house
The ruins today don’t stand particularly tall, but the remaining walls (the North and East walls) are actually 3.8 metres tall. They’re just… mostly underground… And, fun fact: at one point, the whole area around the property was fully moated. That’s right – the ground you’re walking upon, when you spot the ruins, would have once been the Thames itself!
The manor house was originally built back in 1350 for King Edward III. It certainly wouldn’t have been his main residence; he would have still resided in The Palace of Westminster most of the time. But the theory is that the house provided a base for falconry, with the King purportedly a fan of the activity.
Over time, it evolved and transformed and served a variety of other purposes. It was granted to local abbeys, bought by private owners, and the site was used as a pottery and for warehouses in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Uncovering the ruins
During redevelopment works in the early 1900s, surviving walls were discovered within the warehouse buildings. These stood up to 6 metres tall and even featured window openings.
Unfortunately, the building was demolished, and the warehouses also suffered damage in the Blitz. It was all torn down in the 1970s. It was then redeveloped by the London Docklands Development Corporation, which uncovered and preserved the remains.
You’ll find the remains of King Edward III’s Manor House at Platform Wharf, near the Brunel Museum. You can find them in the park (just don’t look too high or you’ll stumble over them). Nearby, there is an information board that shows a reconstruction of the building. It’s situated right next to the King’s Stairs Gardens. It’s just a short walk away from Rotherhithe or Bermondsey station.
