Fleet Ditch

Names

  • Fleet Ditch
  • Flete Ditch
  • the Ditch Side

Street/Area (default name)

  • Fleet Ditch

Maps & Views

Descriptions

from A Dictionary of London, by Henry Harben (1918)

Fleet Ditch

See Fleet, The. So called as early as the 13th century.

Described by Hatton (1708) as in his time a spacious street and indeed like two large streets, divided by the ditch. A fine market house for corn there, erected about 1703.

In Strype's maps shown extending from Ludgate Hill south to the Thames on the western boundary of Farringdon Ward Within.

The portion between Holborn Bridge and Fleet Street was arched over 1737.

from A New View of London, by Edward Hatton (1708)

Fleet Ditch, so called, says Stow, from the fleet (or swift) running of the water. It is an extraordinary spacious str. and indeed like 2 large streets, as divided by the Ditch (made for the most easie serving the parts of the Town Nly from the River with Coals) betn the Thames S. and Holbour Bridge N. L. 710, and the Breadth of the str. 35 Yds, and from PC. [Paul's Cross] W. 420 Yds. Here is a very fine Market House for Corn, built about five Years since, where great quantity is bought every Day, after six a Clock, A.M.

from A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, by John Strype (1720)

The Ditch side, called Fleet Ditch, is a spacious Place, with very good Buildings on both sides of the Canal, so made since the Fire of London; and very commodious for Barges and Lighters, to bring up Coals, and other Loading, as far as Holborn Bridge; and on both sides, a broad passage for Carts, to the Wharfs next the Thames. This Canal is railed in for fear of danger of Peoples falling into it. The part of this Canal, on the South side, next the Thames, hath the East side in the Ward of Faringdon within: But all the rest, down to Holbourn Bridge, on both Sides, is in this Ward. The West side of the Part next to Holbourn, is the best inhabited; and of late, much taken up by Upholsters, and others that sell second hand Goods; for which it is of Note. The East side of that Part from Fleet Bridge to the Thames, hath the best Houses, and best inhabited. On the West side, from Fleet Bridge to Holbourn Bridge, are several small Allies, which lead up to Shoe lane, where they shall be spoken of. On the East side is the Fleet Prison, which I shall anon speak of.