Is it possible that a simple river crossing could shape a community’s destiny? Old Ford, a district in Bow, owes its very existence to such a humble beginning. It is named after the natural ford that once provided passage across the unchannelled River Lea.
Old Ford’s story begins long before London’s sprawling cityscape. Imagine a time when the River Lea was a wide, fast-flowing river. The tidal estuary stretched far inland to Hackney Wick. Old Ford served as the most downstream crossing point.
Two ancient routes converged here. One was a pre-Roman path. It snaked through modern Oxford Street and Old Street. It cut through Bethnal Green before reaching Old Ford. From there, it traversed a causeway across the marshes of Wanstead Slip. That area is now part of Leyton. The second was a Roman road. It started at London’s Wall at Aldgate. It stretched via Stratford and Chelmsford towards Colchester and beyond. Much of this route is now known as the A12.
The Romans recognized Old Ford’s strategic importance. Archaeological excavations reveal a late Roman settlement. It thrived here in the 4th and 5th centuries. This ribbon development lined the road. Fields surrounded it. Near the river, a cluster of wooden buildings stood. A large open-ended barn dominated the scene. Evidence suggests substantial butchery activities. These supplied the London market. The River Lea became a vital artery. It transported agricultural goods and pottery from Hertfordshire and the north. At Old Ford, these goods were transferred to wagons. They continued their journey into London.
In 1110, history tells us that Matilda, wife of Henry I, had an accident at the ford. She was on her way to Barking Abbey when she reputedly took a tumble. As the story goes, she ordered a bow-shaped bridge built over the River Lea. Bow Bridge was constructed. However, Old Ford did not fade into obscurity. The ford remained in use. Though the population center shifted to Bow. Old Ford was the site of watermills. They ground flour for the bakers of Stratforde-atte-Bow. These bakers then supplied bread to London. Residents received permission to worship at the chapel of ease at Stratforde-atte-Bow. It later became Bow Church. This saved them a difficult journey to the parish church of St Dunstan’s at Stepney.
Farming and market gardening defined the area until the 19th century. Old Ford transformed into a district. It became part of London’s expanding conurbation. Large estates housed the poor. This poverty resulted from factories along the Lea and new railways.
Today, a lock and weir mark the approximate location of the ancient ford. These are near the end of Hackney Cut. Hackney Cut is an 18th-century artificial channel. The natural channel, known as the Waterworks River, rejoins the channel below the lock. Old Ford may have changed dramatically over the centuries. But its name still evokes images of that early river crossing.
Even now, Old Ford continues to evolve. It has a vibrant community. It embraces its history while looking toward the future. New developments coexist alongside historical landmarks. This includes St Paul’s, Old Ford. The church was renovated in the early 2000s. The “A New Heart for Bow” project ensured the church served the wider community. Fish Island is another example. It has become a hub for artists and creative industries.
So, next time you pass through Old Ford, remember its humble origins. Remember the ford. It facilitated trade, connected communities, and shaped a district.