I’ve lived all my long life in London and lived and worked all over the city. I’ve numerous books about London’s architecture, geography, transport, history etc and in the last week I’ve just discovered your work, here on YT, and am learning things I didn’t know. Thank you.
Absolutely brilliant. I used to live and work round this area and I had no idea about so much of the history you've recounted. One thing that doesn't get mentioned often is that the creation and development of Burgess Park took real grit, determination (and occasional subterfuge) by long-term residents and council workers who fought off generations of local politicians who kept on trying to use sections of the park for anything other than green space and recreation. The creation of each inch of that park was and is a labour of love. It was first conceived of as a park in the 1940s, but only really got going in the 1980s and - unlike most parks in London - is still growing in size.
27 minutes ago I had no idea that this canal ever existed. It makes you realise just how much London continues to change, not just over centuries but also recent decades as well. An excellent and vital addition to documenting the Capital's History. Thank you Rob!
Thanks again for yet another truly superb video Rob. Fascinating stuff, 99% of which was unknown to me (naturally the 1% I did know was the Fuller's pub 🙄). Some of your vids are a bit of a trip down memory lane for me, but most are absolutely fascinating, superbly made, enlightening brilliance! Thanks for all your work Rob.
Peter, that means so much to me. Thank you- from the bottom of my heart- for your wonderful financial support and kind words. I truly appreciate it. Stay well my friend.
Wonderfully researched and presented Rob. I really do hope that the mural on the former North Peckham community centre is saved for posterity as the butterfly mural was.
The public bathhouse reminded me of my student days back in the 60s. As one of my many holiday jobs, I worked at the 1900s baths/library in Plumstead High Street, South London. I used to dread having to clean the individual baths after coalmen came in to bathe after a day delivering sacks of coal!
Thankyou for doing this for us, as an Australian I never knew that I needed to see this and know this, but this is well done and very interesting. Thankyou sir.
As I work in this area and know it well, I've thoroughly enjoyed this video. I tell all my trainees on my learner bus all about the history of the canal but not in as much detail as you've gone into. I certainly learnt a few things. Thanks Rob!!
Another great video Rob! I have noticed that here in both the US and the UK the high rises built to house the urban poor might have seemed like wonderful ideas when proposed but fairly quickly went downhill.
Nah they are good, the ones built in the 1950s onwards the social housing were very good, unfortunately since the 1980s local councils can't be bothered maintaining them and with the loss of things like half way houses, they started shoving people in them who really should have been elsewhere with more support, ex cons, immigrants, teens fresh out of the care system that sort of thing, they turned what were designed as family homes into dumping grounds for everyone they couldn't be bothered with.
This brings back so many good memories. I’m born and brought up all around these areas. Burgess park was our activities. Used to go fishing at the lake. There was a go kart track in the park. The old church. My friends took my dog there one night and he wouldn’t go on the grounds. He was pulling back and barking. So we always said it was haunted. I now live around the corner of Surrey Canal Road. So I obviously knew it was a canal but seeing the aerial view of how it used to look is nostalgic. My Dad told us stories of how it used to be around this area back in the good old days.
Another fascinating history lesson, Rob! I'm always amazed at how much information you pack into your videos and greatly enjoy your friendly, engaging narration. Someday I'll make another trip across The Pond and would love to explore many of the places you've covered. Take care and we'll see you next time!
i didn’t realise this walkway was once a canal. i even looked at the miles markers and didn’t make the connection. i also always wondered what that bridge was all about. even the people refurbishing it didn’t know. seems so obvious now. nice video
Just when you think Rob can't beat his last video, up pops another classic. I do love the canals, and it's such a shame that some were lost over time. Nice mention of Damilola too RIP.
Thank you so much Paul. I wanted to talk about Damilola a little more, although I’ll be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to; what happened to that poor lad and his family is just too utterly sad. Thanks so much again for your support mate; stay well.
Thank you, Rob! A month, or 2, ago, I had seen a documentary film (no narration, just taken from the top of a city bus journey) here on YT... taken along Old Kent Road in the early 1970's. Back then, you could still see the suggestion of the canal, on the west side of the road. My curiosity led me to discover this lost canal, finding old maps and photos online. Your wonderful documentary has now put it all together. Delightful!
Thanks for a fascinating video. A reminder that at one time the canal network was a key method of moving goods around - then it was barges, these days it's 40 tonne artics on the motorways.
Nice video, thanks. In the 1970's I worked at the long since defunct United Glass factory, which was accessed along Mercury Way, the canal at the rear of the place still had water in it as well as lots of garbage!
Using my local knowledge, I can, with confidence let you know that the small shed 05.55 was used by the man whose job was to shout " Oi gerroutovit" ! to unauthorised personnel. Love seeing the Gasworks, always reminds me of growing up in Brentford. Was told as a kid that the Griffin ( on Brentfords coat of arms) lived on top of the Gas containers.
Brilliant video Rob. As a long time Kennington resident I've often pored over old OS maps of the neighbourhood and wondered about that canal. Thank you for filling in a lot of gaps.
Hi Rob, what an inciteful and enjoyable journey. The passion for local history that you share is awesome and you are keeping history alive for all to see. The single linear story you created was particularly enjoyable and the maps were a great way to follow along. Thanks again. Lance.
Another fab video. My late uncle, Harry (Turk) Moy was a member of the Lynn Boxing Club. He boxed for the 8th Army in World War Two (as well as fighting the Nazis in North Africa) and was a gold medal winner at the British Empire Games. My late father and his family lived nearby in Farndon Row, off New Church Road, and used the public baths in Wells Way. As a kid in the 1960’s I vaguely remember what was left of the canal. My 90 year old mum can still recall a child drowning there! Interestingly, the Richardson Crime gang had a club in Addington Square. Nice boys!
Always interesting, always excellently presented with a well spoken friendly narrative. I'm not familiar with South London, this lost canal was something I'd never heard of, yet there are still many little hidden gems along the way. Let's hope the magnificent mural on that 60's building gets preserved and thank you to the enlightened souls who saved that beautiful butterfly for us to enjoy.
I just had this video pop up from your channel. Such a charming offering. I used to manage commercial property all round Southwark. Thanks Rob, Utuber's most modest Tuber.
I used to volunteer at the London Canal Museum several years back until my arthritis got the better of me. One day, we were 'raided' by the RSPCA after they recieved a complaint about a horse being mistreated on the first floor. The guy saw the funny side when we showed him that the horse in question was a model with sounds effects (Princess Anne actually came for the grand unvieling ceremony of it). One of the guys there had a boat with The Surrey Canal Company painted on it. Another canal which befell the same fate as the Croydon Canal was the one between Kensington and Chelsea Harbour and is now The London Overground line. Keep up the good work mate.
Ha ha! What a great comment! Thanks Jenny ;-) I'd love to have seen that boat with the Surrey Canal Company branding, as I'm sure you know that's very rare indeed now! By the way, this slot was originally going to be a video about Liverpool, but I had to cancel that due to really bad weather up there (it needs a lot of outside filming)... I've got it planned though and will be making it soon, possibly early autumn ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
Thank you so much for this. I do not live in London, but am a keen amateur historian. This is an excellent walkthrough. I just came upon your channel and have firmly subscribed! Thank you again.
Another beautifully researched and presented video Rob. I have strolled around the lovely Greenland Dock many times, but never ventured Southward as you have here. Good to see that so much of the magnificent canal infrastructure survives if you take the trouble to look, as you have.Like you, I hope that the Civic centre murals survive the demolition men, even if the building itself would be no loss. Passmore Edwards libraries and baths are dotted all over London. I remember the one on Romford Road Manor Park from my youth.
Great video as always Rob. It brought some great childhood memories, I was brought up around the Elephant & Castle, we use to fish & swim in Surrey Docks. I went to school in Peckham in the 70’s we use to bunk off school & play on what was left of the Surrey Canal. Oh happy days!
Fantastic Fact's of places I know well as always I spend my time watching and exclaiming, wow, wow, and that's great.. The Jack. Johnson and the oldest boxing club was fascinating!!! And of course our Henry Cooper 🤩 had a pub the Henry Cooper on Old Kent Rd... Very well researched again the pleasure was all ours💪🇬🇧💯 Thanks Rob, you do London Proud👍😁✌️🎬🧐
Bless you Gary, cheers! I was actually going to mention Sir Henry Cooper in this video: as you may know, just behind the Eddystone Tower is the 'Riverside Youth Club' which Henry opened in 1969; there's a photo of him there. I had to cut it out though as the video was getting too long! ;-)
As an American, I freely admit that I find British and European history daunting. It goes back far and spreads wide. I am a total fan of all things British. From the comedy invasion, Dr. Who, Merlin and Robin, the fantastic Olympics,Tony Robinson’s dig team, and much more. I waited breathlessly for Tony and team to unearth the find of the century. I am a mystery fan and always search for British authors. One of my favorites is Christopher Fowler’s Bryant and May series about aging detectives. Bryant probably knew the underground history as well as you. Now you can provide the above ground as well, thank you.
A wonderful comment Lois, thank you so much. I must say, American history is fascinating too- I’ve always been interested in it thanks to having an American Grandpa ☺️ Stay well
I really enjoy watching your films/documentaries, they are very good, interesting and sympathetically made, and nice musical background choices. Thanks Rob! As for the vanished canals, it would be lovely if they were still here in some shape or form water adds something relaxing to a city.
I had to sleep on it. What an amazing amount of history associated with the grand canal, beautiful in its hay days and perfect for travelling folks and hawkers that became the costermongers. Awesome art works as well beautiful to go to bed on thank you ❤
Thank you for this fascinating film. I was originally from West London but my partner is from Walworth. I know the area quite well now and I love learning about it💖
Thanks for this video Rob. It took me back to the days when I lived in South London and worked in the Old Kent Road - based at the Gas Works. There is one point though, the Whiting Works is nothing to do with fish. Whiting was made from ground chalk (calcium carbonate) and was used, among other things, to make paints such as distemper. It is still used in artists' materials and as a degreasing agent. Keep up the fascinating videos. They remind me of the years I spent in London.
@@Robslondon burgess pk is a mystery & very much a modern development as the map shows it was full of houses even "after" the war with ready made prefabs ,,, must give a shout also to those of the Coburg ward ⚽
I thought this was going to be about the Croydon to Rotherhythe canal, which you do give reference to. Maybe that will be a future video. Thank you for researching and making this video.
Thank you so much for this fascinating account. I was born in this area, as was my mother, though I moved away from Camberwell aged six, some sixty-two years ago. Something subliminal must have rubbed off though, since I have lived on a narrowboat for nearly twelve years.
Your videos and knowledge is out of this world. Everyone unique and different in there own right. I love the canals history and didn’t realise how many have gone around London. Outstanding work and thank you for all your hard work ❤
Another great video Rob Absolutely fascinating as I’ve never been to that area of London Learnt a lot Mad me smile too when i saw the Camberwell beauty butterfly and remembered the old Only fools episode where Del tried to catch the butterfly
Hello Rob, always an informative watch so thanks. As to your question about usage if canals and towpaths were still accessible… I would suggest yes they would make perfect walks/ cycle trails. The popularity of the Thames path is testament to folks joy of walking near water so Canals are the perfect city antidote’s. May not be everyone’s choice but I would be a happy bunny even at my age. Keep safe and well. C.
I've been trawling through all your videos in my spare time, and have been out and about to see some of the places referenced. I am enthralled by the seeming endless history hiding in plain sight in this most wonderful of cities. Thank you for all that you do
Great video, London is like Manilla in that they both filled in their canals in the 60s onwards, sadly Manilla now has massive problems with flooding while London has Thames Water..
Thanks so much for this Rob. I moved to the area close to the Deptford end of this former canal about a year ago, and had no idea there used to be one! The whole area around here is so littered with evidence of the former docks, wharfs and associated industries - broken apart by mid-20th C development - that it can be tricky to connect them all up. Looking forward to walking the route of the Grand Surrey Canal on one of these summer days.
Thanks Rob, for yet more fascinating stuff! There is another form of "Whiting" than fish: Calcium Carbonate, also known as Whiting is used in the printing industry as well as for marking those white lines on sports fields..! Likely to be shipped in bulk, and processed in "Works" where it was landed. "Blacking" on the other hand, is made from refined carbon. 😉
So interesting, thank you Rob. I think we should restore it. Not only would it enhance the recreational facilities, but it would also provide green transportation opportunities. (While we are at it, we should restore all the Beeching railways!)
ha! i lived on Greenland Dock! 2:17 right at the end, on the right! watching Canary Wharf being built from my living room window! another amazing video! thanks Rob!
A very interesting and informative video. I recall, as a child in the 1950's, travelling on the 704 Green Line bus, crossing the canal bridge, by what is now, the former Peckham Library. I also remember the section (now a small park) where it joined the former Croyden Canal, near Trundley's Road Thank you!
Seems like almost every video, you mention some little off-the-beaten-path (at least to us foreigners) museum, such as todays Canal museum. Have you ever considered creating a guide book of these hidden gems? I'm sure others have, but if you wrote one, I would definitely buy it..(Heck I'd probably buy just about any book created by you. I think your narrations would come across just as well on the printed page as they do in your videos.) Thanks as always! LIKED! 👍
Robert is my son and your comment is amazing and inspirational. Rob is a published Author. His two books are" Train your Brain like a cabbie" and the other is "Waterloo station" a history of Londons busiest terminus.
Bless you! And thank you so much :-) Yes, I do have two books published (if you search 'Robert Lordan' you'll be able to find them) but to be honest this channel now has a wider reach! Never say never though; I may do another one someday ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
Another amazing video! Thanks Rob! I hope you might consider doing a video on London's best Ghost Signs in the future. There are so many that are so intriguing. Love your work and always look forward to an upload. Cheers!
Many thanks indeed, I didn't realise there were still bits around there in the early 90s, would loved to have got some photos! Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon Where B&Q is when I first came the the area was being redeveloped the road widened you could see the last remains an old friend said this was one of the last places the canal has a warf for timber. I also have a very nice large beer pot made at the canal pottery for a company where I now live
@@Robslondon Oddly a friend found it on Depford market, it's got the name of the wine and beer merchant on it , again that happens to be my family name , it's address where I live now and a stamp from the pottery
Thank you so much 😊 Really appreciate your kind words… I’ll have to do a video on Barnes at some point; beautiful part of London. Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon Hi Rob. Something that you may have fun researching in Barnes is a small area named Small Profit Dock, along Lonsdale Road. I can't find diddly squat anywhere about it. Thanks for your smashing films. Cheers 🍻 from Barnes
Hi Rob, I can't see this as a huge loss to the canal system since to gain access to it, narrowboats would need to traverse the tidal Thames from Limehouse, and once in Greenland dock, the canal is a relatively short stub, ending at Camberwell.
Another fascinating video. Several generations of my family were from Camberwell - including my parents - they must have remembered the canal and lived nearby for many years. Have you considered writing a book about it?
Thanks so much Elizabeth ☺️ It’s sad to say, but I’ve published two books… and they have nowhere near the reach this channel does. If I could make money from book writing, I would!
@@Robslondon Put a link at the end of your next video with info about your books. I have written several childrens' stories but cant find an illustrator and the financial outlay is considerable which I cannot bear in the current climate!
Rob, once again you delivered a superb glimpse into history. My understanding is that London continues to offer an extensive canal system that connects with most, if not all, of the canals that run throughout Britain. I don't know if you've done a current canal tour before. If not, possible you could add this to your to-do list. Again, thanks for the insight.
My husband's family lived in Cowan Street, which used to run on the edge of Burgess Park. The street was demolished in the 1970s. Opposite was.a printworks and book binders where my mother in law worked before having her children. All these locations are familiar to me. I go shopping in Surrey Quays, I walk to SQ Farm to see the animals, and Burgess Park and OKR are all old haunts from my husband's youth. (No one likes us, we don't care!) My Father in law died recently, and he *was* Camberwell and Peckham! I've traced his father's heritage back in the area for several generations, and the Surrey canal would have been familiar to the ancestors. Thank you for this video, it's made me a bit emotional, but proud, because my daughter carries on this heritage.
Thanks so much for this Claire; a really moving comment which I enjoyed reading very much. Thanks so much for sharing and best wishes to you and your family. Stay well.
Lovely video, Rob! Really bizarre, I just walked past Greenland dock, the Moby Dick pub, and Canada Water on the way home about an hour ago. 😂 Always did wander about the filled in canals at Canada Water, now I can fully visualise their original path. Great stuff!!
thank you for this. i live at the location you describe as the old Canterbury Bridge crossing. there are several remaining references to the name Canterbury around Ilderton Road [including the ghost of a pub]. i often think of what it would be like to look out my window onto a canal - but here we see the ugly reality of poor Surrey Canal's end state. good news is that the new Overground station [if completed[ will be called Surry Canal.
@@Robslondon Rob, duhh I can't seem to find my original comment to you, the latest YT version on Android is bobbins at finding the posted position message comments gggrrr Cheers DougT
Fascinating video Rob and professionally put together, as are all your videos. Great bit of research. One small correction - a whiting works was nothing to do with fish. Whiting was a substance chemically produced from grinding chalk and other minerals and was used in paint and probably other industries.
Thank you so much ✋️ I really enjoyed that !! I have lived for many years on a travelling narrowboat and so I am really interested in tales of canals. Your research is excellent and your presentation perfect.. Well done..so professional ! 👏 🙌 👌
A fascinating video, many thanks for this 😀As someone who used to live in Deptford for many years before moving to Poplar, I look forward to exploring this area soon! I see others have already mentioned that the "Whiting Works" almost certainly refers to the mineral product, not the fish, but there's one other minor correction I think - the caption at about 17:50 should read "Edison Bell", not "Eddison Bell".
A really great little video mate, I appreciate the effort you’ve gone to to find old maps and over lay them and the additional research you must put in…
I live in Southwark and cycle the branch line from Peckham and through Burgess Park frequently. I think I will go looking for the northern connection to the Thames. Great video!
@@Robslondon That was an astonishingly quick reply. Thank you for an excellent video. Well researched, well shot and edited. I have sent a link to a friend on the Burgess Park committee.....
Thank you, this was very useful, as I used Apple maps on my Mac mini pro to trace the route of the canal. It is sad to lose a canal like this, but you can see that there's been considerable change for the better in the parts of London it once traversed, compare to what London was like 60 or more years ago.
@@Robslondon from the Chinese restaurant barge under the car park and along park village east and onwards to somewhere behind Kendal house.. all got filled in with postwar rubble
@21:34 The library/ wash house reminds me of the Ford Hall in Bethnal Green - it has a similar red brick appearance, both featuring a semicircular window and horizontal stone band details, as well as a shared history of baths and boxing.
Thanks Rob. I have walked and cycled a good length of the Surrey Canal Path. So glad this stretch is close to where I live. Interest to hear some of the history of which I was mostly unaware 👍🏼
Another super vid Rob. I have an uncle from the East End (of London!)who lived on a canal boat for a while, I must find out where he moored it, stimulated by your wonderful research here Rob! Hope all is well with you.
I’ve lived all my long life in London and lived and worked all over the city. I’ve numerous books about London’s architecture, geography, transport, history etc and in the last week I’ve just discovered your work, here on YT, and am learning things I didn’t know. Thank you.
That’s very kind of you to say Nobby, thank you!
Same for me, learning loads about my home city, thank you
Another reason why TH-cam is better than regular TV. Thank you 👍
Thank you so much; really appreciate your kind words. Stay well Adam.
Absolutely brilliant. I used to live and work round this area and I had no idea about so much of the history you've recounted. One thing that doesn't get mentioned often is that the creation and development of Burgess Park took real grit, determination (and occasional subterfuge) by long-term residents and council workers who fought off generations of local politicians who kept on trying to use sections of the park for anything other than green space and recreation. The creation of each inch of that park was and is a labour of love. It was first conceived of as a park in the 1940s, but only really got going in the 1980s and - unlike most parks in London - is still growing in size.
What a lovely comment, thank you so much Darriendastar.
Love your thoughts on Burgess Park; very well said 😊 stay well my friend and thanks again.
27 minutes ago I had no idea that this canal ever existed. It makes you realise just how much London continues to change, not just over centuries but also recent decades as well. An excellent and vital addition to documenting the Capital's History. Thank you Rob!
Such a lovely comment David, many thanks indeed 😊 Stay well.
Keep up the great work Rob
You’re a gentleman Paul; thank you so much mate. Thanks again and have a great weekend 😄
@@Robslondon Love your work. Keep well, and have a good weekend yourself.
I am running out of new ways to show appreciation for these superb London stories. Thank you Rob for another corker. 😊
Bless you ☺️ It’s an absolute pleasure
Thanks again for yet another truly superb video Rob. Fascinating stuff, 99% of which was unknown to me (naturally the 1% I did know was the Fuller's pub 🙄). Some of your vids are a bit of a trip down memory lane for me, but most are absolutely fascinating, superbly made, enlightening brilliance! Thanks for all your work Rob.
Peter, that means so much to me. Thank you- from the bottom of my heart- for your wonderful financial support and kind words. I truly appreciate it. Stay well my friend.
Wonderfully researched and presented Rob. I really do hope that the mural on the former North Peckham community centre is saved for posterity as the butterfly mural was.
Thank you, and I do too… stay well
The public bathhouse reminded me of my student days back in the 60s. As one of my many holiday jobs, I worked at the 1900s baths/library in Plumstead High Street, South London. I used to dread having to clean the individual baths after coalmen came in to bathe after a day delivering sacks of coal!
Very evocative memory! Thanks for sharing.
Thankyou for doing this for us, as an Australian I never knew that I needed to see this and know this, but this is well done and very interesting.
Thankyou sir.
It's a pleasure Darryl, thanks for watching and thank you for the kind words- much appreciated. n
As I work in this area and know it well, I've thoroughly enjoyed this video. I tell all my trainees on my learner bus all about the history of the canal but not in as much detail as you've gone into. I certainly learnt a few things. Thanks Rob!!
Such a lovely comment Matthew, thank you sir 😊 Cheers and stay well
We have a narrowboat on the Grand Union in West London. I love doing “Urban Safaris” around London so will definitely be walking this route soon!
Nice 😉
Another great video Rob! I have noticed that here in both the US and the UK the high rises built to house the urban poor might have seemed like wonderful ideas when proposed but fairly quickly went downhill.
Many thanks indeed Patrick! And yes, you’re quite right… Stay well sir
So true
Nah they are good, the ones built in the 1950s onwards the social housing were very good, unfortunately since the 1980s local councils can't be bothered maintaining them and with the loss of things like half way houses, they started shoving people in them who really should have been elsewhere with more support, ex cons, immigrants, teens fresh out of the care system that sort of thing, they turned what were designed as family homes into dumping grounds for everyone they couldn't be bothered with.
Thanks!
Thank you so much! Truly appreciate your support :-) Thanks again and stay well.
This brings back so many good memories. I’m born and brought up all around these areas. Burgess park was our activities. Used to go fishing at the lake. There was a go kart track in the park. The old church. My friends took my dog there one night and he wouldn’t go on the grounds. He was pulling back and barking. So we always said it was haunted. I now live around the corner of Surrey Canal Road. So I obviously knew it was a canal but seeing the aerial view of how it used to look is nostalgic. My Dad told us stories of how it used to be around this area back in the good old days.
Darren, this is a fantastic comment. Really enjoy reading your memories!
Cheers and stay well 😉
Another fascinating history lesson, Rob! I'm always amazed at how much information you pack into your videos and greatly enjoy your friendly, engaging narration. Someday I'll make another trip across The Pond and would love to explore many of the places you've covered. Take care and we'll see you next time!
Thank you so much bassbaritoneguy, that means a lot to me. Hope you make it back here soon ;-) Stay well sir and thanks again.
i didn’t realise this walkway was once a canal. i even looked at the miles markers and didn’t make the connection. i also always wondered what that bridge was all about. even the people refurbishing it didn’t know. seems so obvious now. nice video
Many thanks! ;-)
I don’t live in London, but I found that incredibly interesting. Thank you😊
Many thanks! Stay well 😉
Thanks
That is so kind of you Thomas, many thanks indeed sir! Very much appreciated.
Just when you think Rob can't beat his last video, up pops another classic. I do love the canals, and it's such a shame that some were lost over time. Nice mention of Damilola too RIP.
Thank you so much Paul.
I wanted to talk about Damilola a little more, although I’ll be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to; what happened to that poor lad and his family is just too utterly sad.
Thanks so much again for your support mate; stay well.
@@Robslondon Yeah, very sad.
Done some research there Rob, the steamline of the roads just shows u where the canals were. Right up my street this, well done Rob👍
Cheers Dave, glad you enjoyed it! Hope you're keeping well mate.
Thank you, Rob! A month, or 2, ago, I had seen a documentary film (no narration, just taken from the top of a city bus journey) here on YT... taken along Old Kent Road in the early 1970's. Back then, you could still see the suggestion of the canal, on the west side of the road. My curiosity led me to discover this lost canal, finding old maps and photos online. Your wonderful documentary has now put it all together. Delightful!
Oh wow! I’d love to see that, will have to look it up as footage of the old canal is very, very rare! Thanks for the kind words 😊
@@Robslondon it's on the British Pathe channel, here. That is a great channel for history footage!
Thanks for a fascinating video. A reminder that at one time the canal network was a key method of moving goods around - then it was barges, these days it's 40 tonne artics on the motorways.
Lovely comment Robert, thank you.
Nice video, thanks. In the 1970's I worked at the long since defunct United Glass factory, which was accessed along Mercury Way, the canal at the rear of the place still had water in it as well as lots of garbage!
Nice comment, thank you! 😉
Using my local knowledge, I can, with confidence let you know that the small shed 05.55 was used by the man whose job was to shout " Oi gerroutovit" ! to unauthorised personnel.
Love seeing the Gasworks, always reminds me of growing up in Brentford. Was told as a kid that the Griffin ( on Brentfords coat of arms) lived on top of the Gas containers.
😆
Brilliant video Rob. As a long time Kennington resident I've often pored over old OS maps of the neighbourhood and wondered about that canal. Thank you for filling in a lot of gaps.
Thank you so much; glad to be of service! Stay well.
I've only recently discovered your channel. As a Londoner, I find your videos fascinating. thanks very much.
Thanks so much Steve; good to have you here mate.
Hi Rob, what an inciteful and enjoyable journey. The passion for local history that you share is awesome and you are keeping history alive for all to see. The single linear story you created was particularly enjoyable and the maps were a great way to follow along. Thanks again. Lance.
Thank you so much Lance 😊 Truly appreciate the kind words; stay well sir.
Another fab video.
My late uncle, Harry (Turk) Moy was a member of the Lynn Boxing Club. He boxed for the 8th Army in World War Two (as well as fighting the Nazis in North Africa) and was a gold medal winner at the British Empire Games.
My late father and his family lived nearby in Farndon Row, off New Church Road, and used the public baths in Wells Way. As a kid in the 1960’s I vaguely remember what was left of the canal. My 90 year old mum can still recall a child drowning there!
Interestingly, the Richardson Crime gang had a club in Addington Square. Nice boys!
A wonderful comment Robin, thank you so much for sharing :-) Your uncle Harry sounds like he was one tough bloke! Cheers ;-)
Always interesting, always excellently presented with a well spoken friendly narrative. I'm not familiar with South London, this lost canal was something I'd never heard of, yet there are still many little hidden gems along the way. Let's hope the magnificent mural on that 60's building gets preserved and thank you to the enlightened souls who saved that beautiful butterfly for us to enjoy.
A lovely comment Duncan, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
I just had this video pop up from your channel. Such a charming offering. I used to manage commercial property all round Southwark. Thanks Rob, Utuber's most modest Tuber.
Bless you Brian ☺️ Thanks my friend and stay well.
I used to volunteer at the London Canal Museum several years back until my arthritis got the better of me. One day, we were 'raided' by the RSPCA after they recieved a complaint about a horse being mistreated on the first floor. The guy saw the funny side when we showed him that the horse in question was a model with sounds effects (Princess Anne actually came for the grand unvieling ceremony of it). One of the guys there had a boat with The Surrey Canal Company painted on it.
Another canal which befell the same fate as the Croydon Canal was the one between Kensington and Chelsea Harbour and is now The London Overground line. Keep up the good work mate.
Ha ha! What a great comment! Thanks Jenny ;-)
I'd love to have seen that boat with the Surrey Canal Company branding, as I'm sure you know that's very rare indeed now!
By the way, this slot was originally going to be a video about Liverpool, but I had to cancel that due to really bad weather up there (it needs a lot of outside filming)... I've got it planned though and will be making it soon, possibly early autumn ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon The livery was a replica on a fairly ' modern boat called "Felis Catus 2". The owner, Mike Stevens, sadly passed away in 2008😥
@@jennythescouser Sorry to hear that Jenny.
Hay Rob,#884.Belting vid,that must have been a load of work.Thanks mate.
Thanks so much Mike! It gave me sore feet I’ll be honest! 😄😉 Cheers and stay well.
Fascinating, I love the old photo of the drained canal and the long mural ❤
Thank you 😊 Yes, those are my favourite parts too
Thank you so much for this. I do not live in London, but am a keen amateur historian. This is an excellent walkthrough. I just came upon your channel and have firmly subscribed! Thank you again.
Thank you so much HeimirTomm; it's great to have you here! Stay well and thanks again.
Another beautifully researched and presented video Rob. I have strolled around the lovely Greenland Dock many times, but never ventured Southward as you have here. Good to see that so much of the magnificent canal infrastructure survives if you take the trouble to look, as you have.Like you, I hope that the Civic centre murals survive the demolition men, even if the building itself would be no loss. Passmore Edwards libraries and baths are dotted all over London. I remember the one on Romford Road Manor Park from my youth.
Lovely comment John, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Great video as always Rob. It brought some great childhood memories, I was brought up around the Elephant & Castle, we use to fish & swim in Surrey Docks. I went to school in Peckham in the 70’s we use to bunk off school & play on what was left of the Surrey Canal. Oh happy days!
What a great comment; fantastic memories to have! 😄 Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon Thanks Rob! You too!
@@NewingtonBoy 😉
Fantastic Fact's of places I know well as always I spend my time watching and exclaiming, wow, wow, and that's great.. The Jack. Johnson and the oldest boxing club was fascinating!!! And of course our Henry Cooper 🤩 had a pub the Henry Cooper on Old Kent Rd... Very well researched again the pleasure was all ours💪🇬🇧💯 Thanks Rob, you do London Proud👍😁✌️🎬🧐
Bless you Gary, cheers! I was actually going to mention Sir Henry Cooper in this video: as you may know, just behind the Eddystone Tower is the 'Riverside Youth Club' which Henry opened in 1969; there's a photo of him there. I had to cut it out though as the video was getting too long! ;-)
As an American, I freely admit that I find British and European history daunting. It goes back far and spreads wide. I am a total fan of all things British. From the comedy invasion, Dr. Who, Merlin and Robin, the fantastic Olympics,Tony Robinson’s dig team, and much more. I waited breathlessly for Tony and team to unearth the find of the century. I am a mystery fan and always search for British authors. One of my favorites is Christopher Fowler’s Bryant and May series about aging detectives. Bryant probably knew the underground history as well as you. Now you can provide the above ground as well, thank you.
A wonderful comment Lois, thank you so much. I must say, American history is fascinating too- I’ve always been interested in it thanks to having an American Grandpa ☺️ Stay well
Fascinating stuff Rob, really well presented as always.
Much appreciated John, hope you’re keeping well
Thanks for another cracking trip around London and so informative an well put together 😊
Really appreciate your kind words, thank you so much ☺️
Putting a clip of that scary video at 12:34 gave me an instant flashback, great editing.
Thanks 😉 Hope it didn’t creep you out too much!
I really enjoy watching your films/documentaries, they are very good, interesting and sympathetically made, and nice musical background choices. Thanks Rob! As for the vanished canals, it would be lovely if they were still here in some shape or form water adds something relaxing to a city.
Really lovely comment Sharon, thank you so much. Appreciate the kind words. Stay well.
I wonder if the Peckham Branch had any connection to that famous mineral water product of the area, Peckham Spring?
😂😂
Bob, you do realise it's not the genuine spring water if it don't glow in the dark, Cheers DougT
I had to sleep on it. What an amazing amount of history associated with the grand canal, beautiful in its hay days and perfect for travelling folks and hawkers that became the costermongers. Awesome art works as well beautiful to go to bed on thank you ❤
Bless you Tracy, thank you so much :-) Hope you're keeping well.
Thank you for this fascinating film. I was originally from West London but my partner is from Walworth. I know the area quite well now and I love learning about it💖
Such a lovely comment thank you :-) Glad you enjoyed it.
As a kid I always used to look out for the mural whilst going by on the 21 Bus
😄
Thanks for this video Rob. It took me back to the days when I lived in South London and worked in the Old Kent Road - based at the Gas Works. There is one point though, the Whiting Works is nothing to do with fish. Whiting was made from ground chalk (calcium carbonate) and was used, among other things, to make paints such as distemper. It is still used in artists' materials and as a degreasing agent.
Keep up the fascinating videos. They remind me of the years I spent in London.
Thanks so much Brian! Yes, I'm kicking myself now about the whiting; a few people have mentioned it! Cheers and stay well ;-)
@@Robslondon burgess pk is a mystery & very much a modern development
as the map shows it was full of houses even "after" the war with ready made prefabs ,,,
must give a shout also to those of the Coburg ward ⚽
Excellent video. Im only just catching up with your channel, and it's superb.
Thanks so much Davey; really appreciate the kind words. And it’s good to have to have you here. Cheers and stay well.
Another long lost canal most people don’t know about (in South London) is Croydon Canal. Part of it actually survives !
Yes! I would like to cover it at some point 😉
I thought this was going to be about the Croydon to Rotherhythe canal, which you do give reference to. Maybe that will be a future video.
Thank you for researching and making this video.
Many thanks Jean; yes the Croydon canal is worthy of a video in it's own right... I'll give it a think ;-)
@@Robslondon What are now ponds in parks were feeder lakes. I look forward to watching 🙂
Hi Rob! As always a wonderful watch, Thank You Very much!!
Thank you! 😄
Thank you so much for this fascinating account. I was born in this area, as was my mother, though I moved away from Camberwell aged six, some sixty-two years ago. Something subliminal must have rubbed off though, since I have lived on a narrowboat for nearly twelve years.
A beautiful comment, thank you so much for sharing.
Your videos and knowledge is out of this world. Everyone unique and different in there own right. I love the canals history and didn’t realise how many have gone around London. Outstanding work and thank you for all your hard work ❤
That’s means so much to me Gill, thank you.
It’s kind words like yours which keep me going! Stay well, thanks again and have a lovely weekend.
Another great video Rob
Absolutely fascinating as I’ve never been to that area of London
Learnt a lot
Mad me smile too when i saw the Camberwell beauty butterfly and remembered the old Only fools episode where Del tried to catch the butterfly
Lovely comment Douglas, thank you- and yes, nice Only Fools & Horses reference ;-)
Yes I did enjoy that Rob. I actually remember the canal when it was still a canal! I was born in Camberwell.
Ah, cheers Michael! 😉
Excellent video as always! 👍
Thanks! ;-)
Hello Rob, always an informative watch so thanks. As to your question about usage if canals and towpaths were still accessible… I would suggest yes they would make perfect walks/ cycle trails. The popularity of the Thames path is testament to folks joy of walking near water so Canals are the perfect city antidote’s. May not be everyone’s choice but I would be a happy bunny even at my age. Keep safe and well. C.
Lovely comment Clive, and yes I think you are quite right. Cheers and stay well.
I've been trawling through all your videos in my spare time, and have been out and about to see some of the places referenced. I am enthralled by the seeming endless history hiding in plain sight in this most wonderful of cities. Thank you for all that you do
It’s an absolute pleasure Thomas; thank you so much for your kind words and support, it means a great deal to me. Stay well and thanks again 😉
Great video, London is like Manilla in that they both filled in their canals in the 60s onwards, sadly Manilla now has massive problems with flooding while London has Thames Water..
Thank you so much. I had no idea they did that in Manila, interesting.
Hah! Thames Water - manage to have hosepipe bans, flooding and torrential rain all at the same time!
@@sheridanwilde Yep! ;-)
Thanks so much for this Rob. I moved to the area close to the Deptford end of this former canal about a year ago, and had no idea there used to be one! The whole area around here is so littered with evidence of the former docks, wharfs and associated industries - broken apart by mid-20th C development - that it can be tricky to connect them all up. Looking forward to walking the route of the Grand Surrey Canal on one of these summer days.
It’s a pleasure Christopher! Hope you enjoy exploring it 😉
Thanks Rob, for yet more fascinating stuff!
There is another form of "Whiting" than fish: Calcium Carbonate, also known as Whiting is used in the printing industry as well as for marking those white lines on sports fields..! Likely to be shipped in bulk, and processed in "Works" where it was landed.
"Blacking" on the other hand, is made from refined carbon. 😉
Cheers Bryan ;-) Yes I realise that about the Whiting now, a few people have mentioned it! Stay well mate and thanks again.
So interesting, thank you Rob. I think we should restore it. Not only would it enhance the recreational facilities, but it would also provide green transportation opportunities. (While we are at it, we should restore all the Beeching railways!)
Thank you, marj1585 and well said!! I've been thinking the canals may see a renaissance one day in terms of transporting cargo... Stay well :-)
@@Robslondon You too!
ha! i lived on Greenland Dock! 2:17 right at the end, on the right! watching Canary Wharf being built from my living room window!
another amazing video! thanks Rob!
Thank you so much Sarahlouise!
A very interesting and informative video. I recall, as a child in the 1950's, travelling on the 704 Green Line bus, crossing the canal bridge, by what is now, the former Peckham Library. I also remember the section (now a small park) where it joined the former Croyden Canal, near Trundley's Road Thank you!
lovely comment, thank you!
Seems like almost every video, you mention some little off-the-beaten-path (at least to us foreigners) museum, such as todays Canal museum.
Have you ever considered creating a guide book of these hidden gems? I'm sure others have, but if you wrote one, I would definitely buy it..(Heck I'd probably buy just about any book created by you. I think your narrations would come across just as well on the printed page as they do in your videos.)
Thanks as always! LIKED! 👍
Robert is my son and your comment is amazing and inspirational. Rob is a published Author. His two books are" Train your Brain like a cabbie" and the other is "Waterloo station" a history of Londons busiest terminus.
Bless you! And thank you so much :-) Yes, I do have two books published (if you search 'Robert Lordan' you'll be able to find them) but to be honest this channel now has a wider reach!
Never say never though; I may do another one someday ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
A digital, multimedia book that could be downloaded to a device could be amazing. Maybe make available as a Patreon perk?
Another excellent video as always. 😊
Thank you so much Paul 😊
THANKS ROB FOR THIS POTTED HISTORY GIVES ME SOMETHING ELSE TO EXPLORE IN MY HOME TOWN
It's a pleasure; thanks for watching.
Another amazing video! Thanks Rob! I hope you might consider doing a video on London's best Ghost Signs in the future. There are so many that are so intriguing. Love your work and always look forward to an upload. Cheers!
Thank you so much Stephanie, and that’s a lovely idea; I’ll make a note 😉
Great presentation , I close the canal for 25 year I remember the last bits of it around the Old Kent Road being taken out in the early 90’s
Many thanks indeed, I didn't realise there were still bits around there in the early 90s, would loved to have got some photos! Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon Where B&Q is when I first came the the area was being redeveloped the road widened you could see the last remains an old friend said this was one of the last places the canal has a warf for timber.
I also have a very nice large beer pot made at the canal pottery for a company where I now live
@@BerlietGBC Interesting, thank you... and I'm now eager to get my hands on a beer pot! Cheers ;-)
@@Robslondon Oddly a friend found it on Depford market, it's got the name of the wine and beer merchant on it , again that happens to be my family name , it's address where I live now and a stamp from the pottery
You deserve a gold medal.
What a great production.
Regards from Barnes
Thank you so much 😊 Really appreciate your kind words… I’ll have to do a video on Barnes at some point; beautiful part of London. Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon Hi Rob. Something that you may have fun researching in Barnes is a small area named Small Profit Dock, along Lonsdale Road. I can't find diddly squat anywhere about it.
Thanks for your smashing films.
Cheers 🍻 from Barnes
@@francisnewmarch6837 Ah, interesting thank you- I’ll make a note! 😉
Hi Rob, I can't see this as a huge loss to the canal system since to gain access to it, narrowboats would need to traverse the tidal Thames from Limehouse, and once in Greenland dock, the canal is a relatively short stub, ending at Camberwell.
Yes, good point.... ;-)
Another fascinating video. Several generations of my family were from Camberwell - including my parents - they must have remembered the canal and lived nearby for many years. Have you considered writing a book about it?
Thanks so much Elizabeth ☺️ It’s sad to say, but I’ve published two books… and they have nowhere near the reach this channel does. If I could make money from book writing, I would!
@@Robslondon Put a link at the end of your next video with info about your books. I have written several childrens' stories but cant find an illustrator and the financial outlay is considerable which I cannot bear in the current climate!
Thank you Rob, having walked / cycled parts accessible of The Croydon Canal, it was nice to see an in depth tour of the Surrey...
Thank you so much :-)
Thank you very much. One of the very few Chew Yoob offerings that is properly shot and edited. Well done, and thank you -again.
Really appreciate that ianoliver, thank you so much. Stay well.
Rob, once again you delivered a superb glimpse into history. My understanding is that London continues to offer an extensive canal system that connects with most, if not all, of the canals that run throughout Britain. I don't know if you've done a current canal tour before. If not, possible you could add this to your to-do list. Again, thanks for the insight.
Thanks so much Paul! I’ll certainly be doing some more canal videos so please stay tuned 😉 Thanks again sir
@@Robslondonanother brilliant video! I think you could write a book.
Very interesting thanks for putting it together... much appreciated
Thanks for watching Hugh; stay well.
My husband's family lived in Cowan Street, which used to run on the edge of Burgess Park. The street was demolished in the 1970s. Opposite was.a printworks and book binders where my mother in law worked before having her children. All these locations are familiar to me. I go shopping in Surrey Quays, I walk to SQ Farm to see the animals, and Burgess Park and OKR are all old haunts from my husband's youth. (No one likes us, we don't care!) My Father in law died recently, and he *was* Camberwell and Peckham! I've traced his father's heritage back in the area for several generations, and the Surrey canal would have been familiar to the ancestors. Thank you for this video, it's made me a bit emotional, but proud, because my daughter carries on this heritage.
Thanks so much for this Claire; a really moving comment which I enjoyed reading very much. Thanks so much for sharing and best wishes to you and your family. Stay well.
Lovely video, Rob!
Really bizarre, I just walked past Greenland dock, the Moby Dick pub, and Canada Water on the way home about an hour ago. 😂
Always did wander about the filled in canals at Canada Water, now I can fully visualise their original path.
Great stuff!!
Ha ha! Nice comment- and great coincidence! 😄 Cheers and stay well 😉
thank you for this. i live at the location you describe as the old Canterbury Bridge crossing. there are several remaining references to the name Canterbury around Ilderton Road [including the ghost of a pub]. i often think of what it would be like to look out my window onto a canal - but here we see the ugly reality of poor Surrey Canal's end state. good news is that the new Overground station [if completed[ will be called Surry Canal.
Great comment Phillip, thank you
I've ticked off another gem on my journey through your superb historical and informative videos! Great. More after tea!
Rob
I've been filming another water based one today ;-) Will be out next week...
Hi Rob, sent you a donation too on your Kofi, look out for it, Cheers DougT
Thanks so much Doug- and please feel free to air your thoughts, I enjoy reading them ;-) Nice comment; cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon Rob, duhh I can't seem to find my original comment to you, the latest YT version on Android is bobbins at finding the posted position message comments gggrrr Cheers DougT
@@douglasthompson296 Ha ha ;-) Thanks so much for the donation by the way mate- that honestly means a great deal to me, cheers.
Fascinating video Rob and professionally put together, as are all your videos. Great bit of research. One small correction - a whiting works was nothing to do with fish. Whiting was a substance chemically produced from grinding chalk and other minerals and was used in paint and probably other industries.
Many thanks Rob. Yes, people have mentioned the Whiting... I had no idea, just assumed fish...canal... ;-) Cheers and stay well.
So enjoyed! Thank you once again. You make London's past come to life. ❤
That means a great deal to me Priscilla, thank you so much. Hope you're keeping well.
Thank you so much ✋️ I really enjoyed that !! I have lived for many years on a travelling narrowboat and so I am really interested in tales of canals. Your research is excellent and your presentation perfect.. Well done..so professional ! 👏 🙌 👌
Such a lovely comment MrJohn, thank you! Enjoy the rest of the weekend
Superb video Rob, thank you. Educational as always.
It’s a pleasure; thank you so much for the kind words. Stay well.
A fascinating video, many thanks for this 😀As someone who used to live in Deptford for many years before moving to Poplar, I look forward to exploring this area soon!
I see others have already mentioned that the "Whiting Works" almost certainly refers to the mineral product, not the fish, but there's one other minor correction I think - the caption at about 17:50 should read "Edison Bell", not "Eddison Bell".
Many thanks for the kind words Ross... forgive me for the errors ;-) Stay well.
Top-notch sir. Yet again. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Really appreciate that, thank you. Stay well.
What a great little video Rob. It seems I missed seeing the canal during my first, and so far only, visit to London in 1975 (I'm an Aussie btw).
Thank you so much! Hope you make it back here soon 😉
A really great little video mate, I appreciate the effort you’ve gone to to find old maps and over lay them and the additional research you must put in…
Really appreciate that, thank you. I love the research, can’t get enough of old maps! 😉 Thanks again and stay well.
I live in Southwark and cycle the branch line from Peckham and through Burgess Park frequently. I think I will go looking for the northern connection to the Thames.
Great video!
Thank you so much! Lovely comment, enjoy exploring 😉
@@Robslondon That was an astonishingly quick reply. Thank you for an excellent video. Well researched, well shot and edited. I have sent a link to a friend on the Burgess Park committee.....
yet another master piece, well done Rob.
Thank you so much ahsimiksnabac, hope you're keeping well my friend.
Thank you, this was very useful, as I used Apple maps on my Mac mini pro to trace the route of the canal. It is sad to lose a canal like this, but you can see that there's been considerable change for the better in the parts of London it once traversed, compare to what London was like 60 or more years ago.
Nice comment, thank you.
There used to be a spur off the regents canal near Camden’s parkways and runs parallel to the Euston rail line with a bridge still existing
Interesting! Thank you
@@Robslondon from the Chinese restaurant barge under the car park and along park village east and onwards to somewhere behind Kendal house.. all got filled in with postwar rubble
@21:34 The library/ wash house reminds me of the Ford Hall in Bethnal Green - it has a similar red brick appearance, both featuring a semicircular window and horizontal stone band details, as well as a shared history of baths and boxing.
Yes; good spot.
Really interesting slice of history and memory trigger
Thank you so much Robert ☺️
Thanks Rob. I have walked and cycled a good length of the Surrey Canal Path. So glad this stretch is close to where I live. Interest to hear some of the history of which I was mostly unaware 👍🏼
Thank you so much Queen of Hearts ☺️
Another great and amazing video. Keep up the amazing work Rob. Legend 👍👍
Thank you mate.
@Robslondon always an absolute pleasure mate 👍👍
Another fascinating video. Great work Rob!
Thank you 😁
Another super vid Rob. I have an uncle from the East End (of London!)who lived on a canal boat for a while, I must find out where he moored it, stimulated by your wonderful research here Rob! Hope all is well with you.
Lovely comment David, thank you. Yes, I'm all good thanks- hope you find the mooring spot!