Riverhead

Gazing upon Riverhead, can you envision the relentless flow of water that once pulsed through this very spot? Riverhead, located in Clerkenwell, served as the London terminus of the New River. This man-made waterway, completed in 1613, quenched London’s thirst for centuries. Riverhead wasn’t merely an endpoint. It was the beating heart of London’s water supply, a bustling hub where the New River Company, and later the Metropolitan Water Board, orchestrated the flow of life-giving water to the city. Imagine the Round Pond, a circular reservoir at Riverhead, brimming with water drawn from springs in Hertfordshire. From here, wooden mains snaked through the city, delivering water to countless homes. The site evolved, expanding to encompass seven acres with additional ponds and buildings, bordered by streets like Rosebery Avenue and Amwell Street. Riverhead witnessed the evolution of water management. Windmills and horse gins initially pumped water to the Upper Pond, constructed in 1708 to increase water pressure for the burgeoning West End. Later, steam engines, designed by pioneers like John Smeaton and Boulton & Watt, took over, housed in the Engine House. In 1820, the New River Company moved its headquarters to Riverhead, solidifying the site’s administrative role. The 20th century brought further transformation. A new head office building arose, incorporating the historic Oak Room from the old Water House. A water testing laboratory was added. Though the New River’s flow to Riverhead ceased in 1946, the site remained crucial. It housed a pumping station for the London Water Ring Main. Today, Riverhead is largely residential, with apartments nestled amidst repurposed buildings and new constructions. Yet, echoes of its past persist. The windmill base, engine house, and coal stores stand as silent witnesses. And in a fitting tribute, these structures will soon house the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, opening its doors to the public in 2024. Riverhead is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to human ingenuity, a story of how London quenched its thirst and shaped its future.