Shadwell - Definition

This article is about the district in London For the place where Thomas Jefferson was, see: Shadwell (plantation)

Shadwell is a district of Stepney in Tower Hamlets, London. It is on the northern bank of the River Thames, between Wapping and Limehouse. The Rotherhithe Tunnel links it to Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Southwark.

The closest stations are Shadwell station and Wapping tube station.

Virtually uninhabited until the 17th century, Shadwell was originally a marine-centred hamlet with roperies, tan yards, breweries, wharves, smiths and numerous taverns, which built up around the chapel of St Paul's. Seventy-five sea captains are buried in its churchyard, while Captain Cook had his son baptised there.

The population type is typical of Inner London, with high unemployment and crime, though transport links are excellent thanks to Shadwell Tube and Docklands Light Railway stations. The local MP is Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour).

People born in Shadwell

• Bob Crow (born 13 June 1961) - trade union leader
• Walter Pater (4 August, 1839 - 30 July, 1894) - essayist and critic