Ratcliff, London

Ratcliff
Pitsea Street, viewed from Cable Street
Ratcliff
Location within Greater London
London borough	Tower Hamlets
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	E1, E1W, E14
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
London Assembly	City and East

Ratcliff is an area of East London. It is in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located on the north side of the River Thames. It was once a hamlet in the historic county of Middlesex.

Ratcliff is the site of one of London biggest fires in 1794. It began at Clovers Barge Yard. The flames quickly spread to a nearby barge loaded with saltpetre. This was a substance used to make gunpowder and matches. This exploded. Causing the fire to spread and destroying Ratcliff.

Etymology

Ratcliff name is from a sandstone cliff. This used to be above the surrounding marshes. This had a red appearance. Hence Red-cliffe.

History

Ratcliffe was known for shipbuilding. It was an important sea departure area. In the sixteenth century. Such as Willoughby and Frobisher. Ratcliffe at this time also had the largest population in Stepney. Having 3500 residents.

Around 1669. Almost 200 Presbyterians were worshipping inside a warehouse in Ratcliffe. There was a purpose-built Quaker meeting house in Schoolhouse Lane that had been built near the same time.

Ratcliffe was divided between the parishes of Limehouse and Stepney until 1866. It was constituted a separate civil parish. It was then administered by Limehouse District Board of Works. In 1900 it joined the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.

As the warehouses fell into decline. They were not allowed to stand and were cleared for redevelopment.