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

Friends of Norwood Grove

Friends of Norwood Grove

Active in 1986 but it seems dormant now, 2022.

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Richmond Society

Richmond Society

From their website: "Welcome to The Richmond Society, local residents who have been protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment of Richmond, south-west London, since 1957. Our purpos...

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture, History

1 memorial
Coram's Fields

Coram's Fields

The memorial at the entrance to these fields tells how this playground came into existence. It is the only public space in London where adults are not allowed without children.

Place, Children, Gardens / Agriculture

3 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
Israel Renson

Israel Renson

The National Archives describe Renson as 'chemist and local historian" and give four paragraphs of his life story. In brief: of Russian descent, born in Scarborough Street E1, but in 1910 the famil...

Person, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial