Shad Thames: Take a walk on the riverside

As Lou Reed famously said, 'Take a walk on the riverside'. All right, we might have misheard the lyrics to that song here at Estates IT. But if you happen to be in the market for a location close to the riverside, then boy have we got a location for you.

Picture London from above - preferably without the Eastenders theme tune thundering inside your head (unless you like that sort of thing?). Watch where the River Thames writhes and glitters like the scales of a silver dragon snoozing in the sun. Imagine what it would be like to wake up every morning with a first-class view of that river. Fantastic...

Of course, plenty of areas in London offer riverside properties. Glide south-east of the centre, over the City of London and London Bridge, until you arrive at Shad Thames. Recognise it? Of course you do. Thanks to the area's proximity to famous landmarks including Tower Bridge, as well as its cobbled streets and character-filled buildings, it has become a rather popular location for films and TV programmes. Dozens of film producers have seen the attraction, with hits such as Bridget Jones' Diary, A Fish Called Wanda and James Bond: The World is Not Enough helping Shad Thames reach a global audience.

Like the idea of walking past a camera crew every other day of the week? Read on for more information.

Properties

When it comes down to it, you won't find more character-filled properties to live in anywhere else in London. Centuries of playing host to various industries have left a vast number of empty warehouses in the district, many of which have been converted into living space. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of these buildings is that they often come retaining their original features. From gorgeous brickwork to winches and signwriting, there are plenty of characteristics sure to suit those seeking a more bohemian lifestyle.

Uniquely, many of the warehouses are named for the commodities that were originally stored in them, so if you fancy living somewhere with a name like Vanilla & Sesame Court or Tea Trade Wharf, this is the place to be. Properties with balconies are particularly desirable considering the area's aforementioned stunning views, so try to get one of those if it's within your price range. Nothing beats looking out across lovely London during the summer with a glass of wine (red for preference, thanks) in hand.

So that's the buildings but what kind of person are you likely to find living in Shad Thames? The area's proximity to the City of London means that there are plenty of suits residing here. Consequently, rental prices are extremely high to take this into account - as well as the astounding views and gorgeous streets. Even a house share with other professionals has the potential to set you back as much as £750 per week on average, not including bills.

It's not just Square Mile workers wandering the streets, though. The London School of Economics has one of its residence buildings based in Shad Thames, so your neighbours could be hard-partying students or hard-partying bankers.

How do you know you're in Shad Thames? Easy - just look up at the skies. If you see walkways criss-crossing between the buildings above you, you're there. These were originally used to transport cargo from warehouse to warehouse via the roof, and they're considered the most unique and quirky feature of the area.

Location

Shad Thames is south of the river, lodged between Bermondsey and London Bridge. As such, transportation links are excellent, particularly if you happen to commute to Kent. One can be as far south as Hastings within a couple of hours, with Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells just half an hour and forty-five minutes down the line respectively.

Northbound travellers will have a tougher time of it as a Tube trip is necessary, but even so, this is not usually a particularly painful experience if you avoid the rush hour. London Bridge or Bermondsey Tube Stations are your best bet here depending on where you are, with the Jubilee and Northern Lines providing services into the capital or out towards Canary Wharf and Stratford. If you don't fancy the Tube, jump in one of London's famous black cabs or red buses - you'll find plenty around Shad Thames.

While green spaces are few and far between here, you will find a spectacular gem in the form of Potters Fields Park. Just next to City Hall, it's a very pleasant place to stop and observe the rather splendid views over Tower Bridge. The cafe is highly recommended.

Geography and surroundings

The name Shad Thames actually refers to a single riverside street, although the term has gradually become used to describe the surrounding area over the decades. Here, you'll find bustling hub positively overflowing with riverside restaurants, specialist cafes and bars full of buzzing atmosphere. Absolute bliss on a Friday afternoon. We recommend the Blueprint Cafe and the Butler's Wharf Chop as particular highlights.

Another typical day out in Shad Thames might also feature the Design Museum, which features a frequently-changing exhibition focused around graphics and product design. Venturing further west, you'll find a number of other areas of interest, including the nearby Tower of London and Tate Modern. Such important cultural attractions mean that the district is now bustling with tourists, ensuring a vibrant living location.

Summing up

So when you put the equation together, the combination of spectacular views, fantastic properties and a lively atmosphere, it's easy to see why Shad Thames is such a hotspot for students and bankers looking for a good time. The one negative aspect of the area's growing popularity is that prices are rising all the time. For this reason, if you're planning to move here, start your research sooner rather than later.

Published 30th April, 2013

© 2013 Estates IT Limited