Charlton, Greenwich

Charlton is a place in south-east London, in the London Borough of Greenwich, sandwiched between east Greenwich and the Woolwich Dockyard area of west Woolwich.

Related Topics:
London - London Borough of Greenwich - Greenwich - Woolwich Dockyard - Woolwich

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The core of the area is Charlton Village, which is situated on a hillside overlooking the River Thames, but suburban sprawl means the name is now applied to a large area reaching down to the south bank of the river - where the Thames Barrier is located.

Related Topics:
Thames - Thames Barrier

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At one time, Charlton enjoyed a somewhat sordid reputation. In the 1720s, it was described by Daniel Defoe:

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Charleton, a village famous, or rather infamous for the yearly collected rabble of mad-people, at Horn-Fair; the rudeness of which I cannot but think, is such as ought to be suppressed, and indeed in a civiliz'd well govern'd nation, it may well be said to be unsufferable. The mob indeed at that time take all kinds of liberties, and the women are especially impudent for that day; as if it was a day that justify'd the giving themselves a loose to all manner of indecency and immodesty, without any reproach, or without suffering the censure which such behaviour would deserve at another time.

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Apart from the Barrier, the area's other most notable feature is Charlton House, a Jacobean mansion (architect: John Thorpe), built for Sir Adam Newton between 1607 and 1612. Sir Adam was tutor to Prince Henry, son of King James I of England, and was also responsible for building nearby St Luke's Church (burial place of Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated). On the northern edge of the garden of Charlton House is a mulberry tree planted in 1608 by order of King James in an effort to cultivate silkworms.

Related Topics:
Jacobean - Architect - James I of England - Spencer Perceval - Prime Minister - Mulberry - 1608 - Silkworm

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Later, Charlton House became the home of the Maryon-Wilson family, after whom a nearby park, location for the film Blow-Up, is named. Since 1925, the house has been owned by the London Borough of Greenwich and has functioned as a library and community centre.

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Charlton is perhaps best known as the home of Charlton Athletic F.C.. The club plays at The Valley (a former chalk pit) situated to the north of the village, close to the main road and railway line between Greenwich and Woolwich. Further south, close to Blackheath Standard, is the Rectory Field, home of the venerable Blackheath Rugby Club.

Related Topics:
Charlton Athletic F.C. - The Valley - Blackheath Rugby Club

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