Doesn’t the name Greenhithe suggest a tranquil landing place? Well you’re standing in what was once exactly that. Welcome to Greenhithe a village in Kent with a fascinating story.
Greenhithe’s history is deeply connected to the River Thames. Imagine a bustling waterfront. In the past this area teemed with activity. Wharves stretched along the riverbanks. They were used for transshipping corn, wood and other commodities. The largest cargoes consisted of chalk and lime.
This trade spurred the development of the cement industry in nearby Swanscombe. Greenhithe briefly became a popular tourist resort in Victorian times. Greenhithe Pier opened in 1842. Sadly the pier is now lost to time.
Queen Victoria herself visited Greenhithe. In 1863 she boarded the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert. The yacht moored off Greenhithe. The crowd cheered.
Greenhithe owes its existence to its location on the Thames. It also owes its expansion to nearby Watling Street. Watling Street was the London-Dover Road. Greenhithe was a suitable landing place for ships.
The name Greenhithe comes from Old English. “Hythe” means landing-place. “Grene” means green. So Greenhithe means green landing place.
Let’s take a step back to 1778. Edward Hasted described Greenhithe in his “History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent”. Hasted noted several wharves. These wharves handled corn, wood and other commodities. He emphasized the importance of chalk and lime traffic. Chalk pits stretched from Stone to Gravesend. London and surrounding counties relied on these resources. Even Suffolk and Norfolk were supplied with chalk and lime.
Greenhithe railway station opened in 1849. It was part of the South Eastern Railway’s North Kent Line.
Greenhithe played a role in naval training. In the mid-19th century the need for pre-sea training grew. Shipowners founded the Thames Nautical Training College in 1862. The Admiralty provided HMS Worcester a “two-decker” ship. The Royal Navy replaced wooden ships with ironclads. This created a surplus of wooden vessels like the Worcester.
In 1871 the Worcester moved to Greenhithe. The village became forever linked to the ship. HMS Erebus and HMS Terror departed from Greenhithe in May 1845. They were part of the Franklin expedition. It was sadly ill-fated.
The clipper Cutty Sark came to the college in 1938. It served as a “boating station”. It moored off the Greenhithe estate. During the war the college moved to Foots Cray Place. The Worcester became a Royal Navy training base. By 1945 the second Worcester was in poor condition. A salvage pump kept it afloat.
After the war a replacement ship was found. It was the Exmouth. It became the third and last Worcester. This ship was special. Built in 1904 of steel and iron it was designed for nautical training.
The Cutty Sark’s role diminished with the new ship. Mrs Dowman the original donor gifted it to the nation. It was moved to a permanent dry-dock in Greenwich after restoration.
The college moved to a shore-based facility. The last Worcester was broken up. Greenhithe retains Worcester memories. Street names and pub signs reflect this history. The new college featured a replica ship’s bridge. It overlooked the River Thames.
Now let’s talk about Ingress Abbey. In 1363 Edward III endowed the manor to the Dominican Sisters. This lasted until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
James Harman bought the Ingress Estate in 1820. He commissioned Charles Moreing to build the Abbey. Construction of the Tudor-gothic-style Ingress Abbey finished in 1833. Stone from the medieval London Bridge was used in its construction. The grounds were possibly landscaped by Capability Brown.
Greenhithe’s economy has changed. It’s no longer reliant on river trade. The M25 motorway, Ebbsfleet International station and Bluewater shopping complex are vital.
The Thames Gateway regeneration project aims to bring more affluence. This is reflected in increased property values. Residential neighborhoods and industrial estates surround the former hamlet.
A paper mill once operated east of Ingress Abbey. Joseph H. Wallace designed the Ingress Abbey Paper Mills. It opened in 1908. It was part of Wall Paper Manufacturers Limited. It was the world’s most advanced paper mill. It was also the first with Crittall iron window frames. Empire Paper Mills took over in 1922. It produced newsprint. The mill closed in 1992 before redevelopment.
Greenhithe station connects the village. It provides National Rail services. Buses also serve Greenhithe. They connect it with surrounding areas.
Greenhithe is a village with layers of history. From its river trade to its naval connections and paper mill Greenhithe’s story is etched in time. Take a moment to appreciate Greenhithe’s blend of past and present.