Before Millbank was the Millbank we know today it was a different place entirely. A low marshy area. A place Samuel Pepys described as Tothill Fields. A place of plague pits and bogs. Imagine snipe shooting in this very spot.
Millbank’s history stretches back centuries. Its name comes from a watermill owned by Westminster Abbey. This mill stood near today’s College Green. The area’s character was dramatically shaped by events. In 1651 after Cromwell’s victory thousands of Royalist prisoners were held here. The conditions were appalling. Over 1200 prisoners died. They were later sold into slavery.
Before Millbank Prison opened in 1816 the area was sparsely populated. There were a few houses. A distillery belonging to a Mr Hodge. Almshouses bridewells and pest houses for the poor and sick dotted the landscape. Baltic Wharf nearby was a ship breaking yard. Wooden warships were dismantled there. Their ornate figureheads were displayed on the yard walls. A truly fascinating sight.
The Millbank we see today largely dates from the 1930s. This was after the 1928 Thames flood. A section of the embankment collapsed. Extensive rebuilding followed. The area features many important buildings. The Tate Britain art gallery stands proudly. It’s a beautiful building. It’s opposite Vauxhall Bridge. The Royal Army Medical College once stood here. It’s where the typhoid vaccine was first developed. The site is now a modern art college.
Millbank is also home to Millbank Tower. This modernistic office complex housed the headquarters of both the Labour and Conservative parties at different times. The building also hosted the offices of the United Nations. The Millbank Tower is a striking structure. It’s a true landmark. It’s situated between the Thames the Millbank Estate and the Tate Britain Gallery.
Millbank Studios a major independent broadcast company are also located here. Many international broadcasters have bureaus in this complex. They produce coverage of the Westminster area. The area is well connected. There are several nearby Underground stations. There’s a river pier for boat access to other parts of London.
The Millbank Estate a Grade II-listed housing estate is another notable feature. It was built with bricks recycled from Millbank Prison. The flats are named after famous painters. It’s a prestigious and historical location. The Millbank area offers a blend of history art politics and media. It is a vibrant and significant part of London.