Place   

Wellclose Square, E1

Categories: Architecture

Wellclose Square, E1

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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Beryl Brownsword

Beryl Brownsword

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Harryram Rambissoon

Harryram Rambissoon

We are grateful to Rambissoon’s daughter, Meera, who told us that her father designed the plaque. She writes: “He was an architect for London Underground. He was passionate about design and transpo...

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William Walford

William Walford

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Hughes Mansions

Hughes Mansions

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2 memorials
Alfred Head

Alfred Head

Born Holloway. Islington artist and Borough Architect for Islington in 1974. the Riviera Reporter contains an interview with Alfred Head.

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1 memorial