Place    To 1765

River Fleet

Categories: Gardens / Agriculture

Dead End Street has a useful map showing the route of the old Fleet River and its tributaries, long ago buried in storm drains / large sewer pipes. The river used to flood, even into the 1930s.

It is said that you can still hear it gurgling past through a grating in Farringdon Road near the Guardian's old offices. And Diamond Geezer has tracked the entire course. In periods of heavy rain the river gives out into the Thames at Blackfriars Bridge. This image shows that site, from the Thames, c.1750.

2016: You want to see the River Fleet? Londonist have the post for you.

2019: The Islington Tribune reported that the River Fleet flows beneath the basement of an extension at the Sekforde pub and it is now being used to generate heating and also to cool the beer. Would we all had a river in the basement!

2025: There is a series of Camden plaques for the river, of which we have found 3 so far.  Are there more?  This series was inspired by the Effra plaques which were also designed by Atelier Works.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
River Fleet

Commemorated ati

Fleet River floods - Goldington Crescent

{Around the outer ring:} The hidden River Fleet flows nearby. Goldington Cre...

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Fleet River floods - Purchese Street

{Around the edge:} The hidden River Fleet flows nearby. {In the centre:} Eas...

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Fleet River tributary - Mount Pleasant

The plaque's prominent reference to Queen Square is confusing. The map at Dea...

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Somers Town Mural

This mural was commissioned by the GLC in 1980 and moved to this site by St P...

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Tipperary pub

Maps showing the route of the River Fleet do not show it passing through this...

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Other Subjects

St James's Square Trust

St James's Square Trust

From the Picture source website: "... the St James’s Square Trust is intent on preserving tranquility and avoiding the incursion of large, disruptive commercial ventures in the Square. The gardens ...

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
Max Nicholson

Max Nicholson

Pioneering environmentalist, ornithologist and internationalist, a founder of the World Wildlife Fund, initiator of the Jubilee Walkway. Father of Piers Nicholson, sundial designer. Born Ireland a...

Person, Animals, Gardens / Agriculture, Ireland

1 memorial
John Runtz

John Runtz

Born at 3 William Street, Kingsland Road. He became a Tunbridge Ware manufacturer, then a music teacher. He broadened his interests to the general education of working-class children and became the...

Person, Education, Gardens / Agriculture, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
David Ashmore

David Ashmore

At the time of his death Ashmore was a landscape architect involved in the creation of Burgess Park, living at Lordship Lane, SE22, single, aged 20-30. See Geoffrey Mills for details. Andrew Behan...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Tragedy

1 memorial
Peggy Temple

Peggy Temple

Founder member of the Victoria Park Society.

Person, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial