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

Westminster Tree Trust

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2 memorials
John Evelyn

John Evelyn

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Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Literature

4 memorials
Bishop Henry Compton

Bishop Henry Compton

Bishop of London from 1675 to 1713. Born Warwickshire. After a period in Charles II's army he chose the church and within 5 years was made a bishop and a member of the Privy Council. His strong op...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Religion

1 memorial
Abercrombie Plan

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The Abercrombie Plan consists of the 1943 'County of London Plan' and the 1944 'Greater London Plan'. Devised by Sir Leslie Patrick Abercrombie and John Henry Forshaw in preparation for regeneratio...

Concept, Gardens / Agriculture, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare, Transport

1 memorial