Bermondsey Roads and Streets: Dockhead, SE1

What's your favourite part of Bermondsey?  Well, if a top ten existed rating the most popular Bermondsey locations, Dockhead would have to be up there at the very top.

Situated just north of Jamaica Road, Dockhead and the surrounding streets provide an insight into Bermondsey's proud history as the home to generations of dockers and their families.

The head of the dock? St Saviour's Dock seen from the Jamaica Road and Dockhead end

For it is here and along the Thames waterfront past Tower Bridge that they grafted in the 'larder of London', on the wharves and docks and in the many warehouses and mysterious alleyways.  Also known as London's breakfast-table, three-quarters of the butter, cheese and canned meat needed for the capital was stored there. 

The Italian Building, a former warehouse and now offices

Once home to Jacob's biscuits, the Dockhead area is now a shadow of its former self.  Turning off the frantically busy Jamaica Road, Dockhead can appear like a ghost town, even during a busy week day morning - but that's part of its charm.

Don't let its quietude deceive you, for the road is home to a bustling community of small businesses and residents.

Dockhead boasts a convenience store, a men's hairdressers, an art gallery, several restaurants and an intimate sandwich bar on the corner shared with Mill Street.

And, at the very heart of this hidden community is the Roman Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity, consecrated in 1960 and designed by architect H.G. Goodhart-Rendel.  Unfortunately, the church's predecessor was destroyed during the Second World War.

Just behind is the presbytery and the still active Convent of Mercy, which was founded in 1839 and sent sisters to serve alongside Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War. The convent is also home to the Bermondsey Heritage Centre.