Place   

Wellclose Square, E1

Categories: Architecture

Wellclose Square, E1

Picture source: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This down at heel backwater to the east of the Tower of London, has an unexpectedly rich history. The area around it was generally known as Wellclose and in 1686 it became part of the Liberty of the Tower. It was mentioned by Daniel Defoe as having a well in the centre. A Danish church designed by Caius Gabriel Cibber was built here in 1696. In 1787 a theatre called the Royalty was erected. This burned down in 1828 and was replaced by the Royal Brunswick Theatre which collapsed shortly after opening. Spitalfields Life has some wonderful images.

The Neptune Street prison, also known as 'The Sly House' also occupied the site. See Spitalfields Life for some grafitti from a debtors' cell here. The now threatened Wilton's Music Hall, built in 1858, stands in Grace's Alley just off the square. Currently there are two schools here, the Shapla and St Paul's Whitechapel (pictured right), which unusually has a spire.

This post from Spitalfields Life has many photos and drawings of the Square.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Wellclose Square, E1

Commemorated ati

Norwegian Embassy

{On a metal plaque below the left hand relief:} In 1796 these two Coade stone...

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Other Subjects

Francis Léon Pither

Francis Léon Pither

Architect.  1881 living with his mother and brother.

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1 memorial
Avanti

Avanti

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Newcastle House

Newcastle House

From the Picture Source website: In 1790, James Farrer bought the southern half of the fine building which we now occupy at 66 Lincoln's Inn Fields. This was originally the home of Lord Powys, whic...

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1 memorial
John & Ruth Howard Charitable Trust

John & Ruth Howard Charitable Trust

The Trust will consider giving grants for the preservation of buildings of historic or architectural interest anywhere in England (but not Wales), with a preference for the Greater London area (not...

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1 memorial
William Lee and F. J. Smith

William Lee and F. J. Smith

Architects active in 1882.

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2 memorials