“Red Cliff” – ever heard of it? That’s where the name Ratcliff comes from. We are standing in front of the Ratcliffe Building. It is a place with a vibrant history, though much of that history is now lost to time.
Ratcliff was once a hamlet. It grew to be a vital part of London’s river trade. It connected the capital to ports and trade routes across the globe for 350 years. The Ratcliffe Building stands as a reminder of this rich past.
Shipbuilders, ship owners and merchants arrived in Ratcliff during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. They constructed wharves for ships. Ratcliff became the closest practical landing spot to the City of London.
In the 19th century, London expanded rapidly. Ratcliff was absorbed and became the underbelly of a vast industrial capital. It gained a reputation for being the worst part of London.
Ratcliff had origins at Ratcliff Cross. This was a landing place on the River Thames. It was at the western end of what is now Narrow Street. The cross was removed after 1732. The stone slipway at Ratcliff Cross Stairs marks the quay’s location.
Close by, Ratcliffe Cross Street was the site of Ratcliff Market. This lane runs between Cable Street and Commercial Road.
The Ratcliff fire of 1794 devastated the area. A barge loaded with saltpetre exploded. The fire destroyed over 400 homes and 20 warehouses. A thousand people became homeless. The Ratcliffe Building survived this inferno.
Slums returned in the early 19th century. But by the late 19th century, the area was cleaned up. It became populated by people linked to the maritime trade.
Ratcliffe was divided between Limehouse and Stepney parishes until 1866. It became a separate civil parish. In 1900, it joined the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.
Warehouses fell into decline. They were cleared for redevelopment. The Ratcliffe Building stands in contrast to this decline. It is a symbol of Ratcliff’s enduring spirit.
Today, Ratcliff is a district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Old maps show Ratcliff between Love Lane and Butcher Row. Commercial Road marks the northern boundary.
One historic slipway is Ratcliffe Cross Stairs. It served as a crossing for centuries. It was the starting point for many voyages. The old stone slipway has Grade II listing.
Making your way inland, you find Ratcliffe Lane. It is near Limehouse DLR station. Ratcliffe Cross Street runs from Commercial Road to Cable Street. It is near Ratcliffe Square.
Ratcliffe Orchard is a footway. There was an orchard in the area for a long time. But it was not called Ratcliffe Orchards on old maps.
The area of Ratcliff was notorious for centuries. Now, it is a mix of small industrial units and residential areas. Place names remain as the only evidence of its past. This area was known worldwide as the starting place for adventures. It had lodging houses, pubs, brothels and music halls along the waterfront. The Ratcliffe Building has witnessed all of this.
And so concludes our exploration of the Ratcliffe Building. Its past is intertwined with the story of Ratcliff itself. Remember the name and the stories it holds as you continue your journey.