RIVER NECKINGER GUIDED WALKING TOUR WITH PAUL TALLING

Event information

The River Neckinger Guided Walking Tour with Paul Talling (author of London's Lost Rivers and Derelict London) taking in sites from both of Paul's books.

A guided walking tour around South East London starting at the one-time site of a labyrinth of millstreams, ponds and islands on the edge of Rotherhithe, including a look at the remains of Edward 111's manor house built in the 1350s.

We then follow the route of the lost River Neckinger from where tidal ditches were dug courtesy of the monks at Bermondsey Abbey and a dense commercial area of factories, warehouses and mills had grown up. The area alongside the still visible mouth of the Neckinger was known as Jacob's Island, the final refuge of Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, was a 'rookery' where the poorest people lived side by side with polluting waste in slum conditions. By Victorian times, the lower Neckinger was nicknamed "The Venice of Drains" and "The Capital of Cholera".

The Neckinger flowed through a marshy area associated with tanneries and later to a myriad of factories producing the best known twentieth century brands of biscuits, jams and vinegar and latterly home to trendy restaurants and luxury flats. Along the route we pass a fading air raid shelter sign, derelict pubs, viewing the evidence of a couple of forgotten burial grounds plus an update to many of the subjects covered in the Derelict London book with 'then & now' comparisons of Driscoll House, Chambers Wharf, London Park Hotel and the Lambeth Workhouse which were all vacant at the time the book was released.

Of the numerous miscellaneous topics covered include the still recognisable sites from music videos: a pub in Paul McCartney's 'No More Lonely Nights', the corner shop & pub in Dexys Midnight Runners memorable 'Come on Eileen' and the wharf used for X Ray Spex's 'Identity'

There will be a pub stop along the route. This (approx) 4.5 mile walk lasts in the region of 4.5 hours in total, ending up at the Imperial War Museum after walking down the aptly named Brook Drive. (The Nearest tubes: Lambeth North or Waterloo). Prewalk cafe tip: Servewell Cafe, 4-6 West Ln, SE16 4NY.

Dogs are welcome. By purchasing a ticket for a walk, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

• Although public liability insurance is held, the organiser shall not be held responsible for accidents, injury, loss or damage to persons or property as a consequence of participation in Paul Talling's walks. Ticket holders are responsible for their safety while taking part in a walk. The guide is responsible for showing ticket holders sites of interest, but not to steward ticket holders across roads etc.

• The tour goes ahead regardless of the weather. No refunds due to inclement weather are given.

• The walk will depart promptly at the advertised time & will not wait for late-comers. If a ticket holder misses the walk, no refund will be given. You are strongly urged to check TFL for weekend engineering works that may affect your journey.

• Once a ticket has been purchased, the agency is unable to offer a refund or swap dates.