Poplar: A Historical and Cultural Guide to East London

Poplar is an area in East London steeped in history and culture. It is situated in the borough of Tower Hamlets and is home to a diverse community that has played a vital role in shaping the area’s character and identity. Poplar in London is best known as the setting for the famous Call the Midwife books and TV series. But this area of the East End has much more history than that.

It was the location for some of the worst damage inflicted on this area of London in both world wars and can even lay claim to being the home of one of the most famous pirates of the 17th century.

The early history of Poplar

Like much of London’s East End, Poplar started as a rural village or hamlet. Originally known as the manor of Popeler, the area was given to the Abbey of St Mary de Graces in the late 1300s by William of Wykeham, the Bishop of Winchester. Later, it became the property of Charles II when he was invested as Prince of Wales.

Poplar East London Pub
Poplar East London Pub

Places to Visit in the East End of London – Poplar

As London grew, areas like Poplar became more populated and industrialised. Poplar was the home of many docks, including the large East and West India dock sites and played a significant role in London’s life as a port. The area was home to many sea-related industries, including warehousing, shipbuilding and rope-making. The East India Company built the area’s church in the 1650s. Originally called the Poplar Chapel, this church is now called St. Matthias Old Church and operates as a community centre.

The Poplar Pirate

In the 1600s, an unlikely pirate, John Mucknell, lived in Poplar. He was initially born in Stepney but moved to the area with his wife after marriage. Originally, a commander serving on a ship for the East India Company, Mucknell became known as the “King’s Pirate”. During the English Civil War, he sided with Charles I in his fight against the Puritans.

Mucknell seized the ship under his command and started life as a pirate, disrupting trade around the English coast. He banded together with other local pirates on the south coast of England and flew the flag of the King on his ship.

The Poplar Rates Rebellion

The borough of Poplar was home to the famous Poplar Rates Rebellion in 1921. Rather than being a significant rebellion, this was a protest against property taxes. George Lansbury led it with the support of the local council. Lansbury had been the Mayor of Poplar and would later become the leader of the Labour Party.

Like many East End London boroughs, Poplar was relatively poverty-stricken at this time. The Poor Law rules meant that the borough had to manage issues like unemployment and poverty without support or funding from the central government. The only way that local councils could do this was to raise money by charging property rates.

The problem was that poor boroughs like Poplar had to charge high rates to raise the necessary money, which residents and local business people could not afford to pay. More prosperous boroughs could charge lower rates to raise identical sums of cash, even though they had little need of the money compared to areas like Poplar.

The rebellion started because people thought all rates should be charged equally and poor areas such as Poplar should not be penalised for poverty. It included a protest procession of 2,000 locals, and eventually, other boroughs said they would join forces with Poplar if things did not change. An Act of parliament ultimately took note of local feeling and changed the system to make it fairer to all areas.

Poplar in the Wars

Poplar suffered from bomb damage in both the First and Second World Wars. Due to its proximity to the docks, Poplar and the rest of London’s East End suffered severely in the Blitz during the Second World War and was badly damaged by several V1 and V2 raids. However, the area was also affected badly during the First World War. Initially, the Germans used night-time Zeppelin raids to bomb the docklands areas, causing some damage to Poplar and killing some civilians.

The worst incident of the First World War happened in June 1917 with the first daytime attacks on London. A fleet of Gotha bombers came over London from Essex, dropping shrapnel bombs, and one bomb hit a primary school in Upper North Street, killing 18 children and injuring around 40 others.

Poplar and Call the Midwife

Recently, the BBC has brought post-war Poplar back to life in its Call the Midwife TV series. Based on the books by Jennifer Worth, who worked as a midwife in the 1950s, the series recreates the conditions of much of the East End after the war and highlights some of the social conditions that Poplar had to contend with.

Chrisp Street Market

One of the most popular attractions in Poplar is the Chrisp Street Market. This lively outdoor market has been a fixture of the area since the 1950s and is known for its wide variety of food, clothing, and other goods. It is also a great place to experience the local culture and community spirit, as visitors can interact with the many vendors and residents who come to shop and socialise.

Chrisp Street Market is a historic outdoor market in the Poplar neighbourhood of East London, England. It was established in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition to promote British design and culture. The market was designed by Frederick Gibberd, who was also responsible for the nearby Lansbury Estate, a pioneering example of post-war social housing.

Chrisp Street Market is known for its distinctive modernist architecture, which features a series of interconnected hexagonal stalls and a central clock tower. The design was intended to create a sense of community, encourage social interaction, and provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing space for traders and shoppers.

Chrisp Street Market, Poplar London.
Image by Diamond Geezer
Chrisp Street Market

Today, Chrisp Street Market is a vibrant and diverse market that offers a range of products, including fresh produce, fashion, homewares, and more. It has become an important hub for the local community and hosts various events throughout the year, such as food festivals, live music performances, and art exhibitions.

The market is also close to several other attractions, including the Museum of London Docklands and Canary Wharf, a central business district with shops, restaurants, and offices.

  • Another popular attraction in Poplar is the Museum of London Docklands. This fascinating museum tells the story of the area’s rich maritime history from the Roman Empire to today. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, learn about the lives of the sailors and dock workers who helped to build the area, and even climb aboard a real ship from the 19th century.
  • Poplar is also home to several beautiful parks and green spaces. One of the most popular is Bartlett Park, which features a large playground, a football pitch, and a picturesque pond. Other notable green spaces include the Island Gardens, which offer stunning views of the River Thames and the iconic Greenwich Observatory, and the Mile End Park, which has a wide range of facilities for sports and recreation.

In conclusion, Poplar is a vibrant and exciting area of East London that is well worth a visit. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or food or want to experience the unique atmosphere of one of London’s most diverse communities, Poplar has something for everyone. So why not take a trip to this fascinating part of the city and discover all it offers?

What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Poplar London?

Living in Poplar London can be a rewarding and exciting experience, but it also comes with drawbacks and challenges. Here are some of the pros and cons of living in this vibrant neighbourhood:

Pros of living in Poplar London:

  • You can enjoy Poplar’s rich and diverse history and culture, which has been a port town, a pirate haven, a site of social protest and a wartime target. You can visit museums, monuments and landmarks that tell the stories of Poplar’s past, such as St Matthias Old Church, Poplar Baths, Balfron Tower and Island Gardens.
  • You can benefit from the excellent transport links that connect Poplar to other parts of London and beyond. You can access tube stations, bus routes, cycle paths and river services that will take you to Canary Wharf, the City, Stratford, Greenwich and other destinations. You can also use the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), which runs through Poplar and offers scenic views of the docks and skyscrapers.
  • You can experience the diverse and multicultural community that lives in Poplar. You can find people from different backgrounds, cultures and religions living together in harmony. You can also enjoy a variety of cuisines, shops, festivals and events that reflect Poplar’s diversity. For example, you can visit Chrisp Street Market, which is one of London’s oldest markets and a major commercial and retail centre in Poplar.
  • You can explore the green spaces and waterways that surround Poplar. You can visit parks, gardens and canals that offer relaxation and recreation. You can also check out Trinity Buoy Wharf, which is home to London’s only lighthouse and a creative hub for artists and musicians.

Cons of living in Poplar London:

  • You may face some deprivation and poverty issues that affect some parts of Poplar. Poplar is still one of the most deprived areas in London, with high levels of poverty, unemployment, crime and health problems affecting its residents. Although there have been some improvements and regeneration projects in recent years, there are still many challenges and issues that need to be addressed.
  • You may deal with some noise, pollution and congestion problems that come with living in a big city. Poplar can be noisy, crowded and polluted at times, especially near the main roads, railways and docks. You may also experience some disruption from construction works or traffic jams as new developments are being built or planned in the area.
  • You may pay a high price for living in Poplar London. The average house price in Poplar is £522960 as of December 2020, which is higher than the London average of £466000. The average rent for a one-bedroom flat in Poplar is £1400 per month, which is also higher than the London average of £1300 per month.
  • You may struggle to find a good school or nursery for your children in Poplar. There are many schools and nurseries in Poplar that offer different curricula, facilities and standards. However, some of them may have lengthy waiting lists or strict admission criteria that make it hard to secure a place.

Poplar In Summary

One of the most striking features of Poplar is its rich architectural heritage. The area is dotted with beautiful Victorian buildings, including the famous St. Matthias Church, built in the 19th century and a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture. Other notable facilities include the Poplar Baths, designed by the architect E.C.P. Monson and opened in 1852.

Poplar has also been the site of several significant events throughout its history. During World War II, the Germans heavily bombed the area, destroying many of its buildings. However, the resilience and determination of the local community meant that the place was rebuilt in the post-war years, and it has continued to thrive ever since.

Is Poplar a Nice Place to Live?

Poplar has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, with new housing developments, shops, and restaurants opening up in the area. This has helped to attract new residents and businesses to the site and has breathed new life into its streets and public spaces.

Poplar London is an area that offers both opportunities and challenges for its residents. It has a lot of potential to become one of London’s most attractive and desirable neighbourhoods, but it also faces some serious problems that must be solved.

78 thoughts on “Poplar: A Historical and Cultural Guide to East London”

  1. I was an deck officer with Frank C Strick, a shipping company that used to berth at either the East India or West India Dock together with City and Elerman Shipping Company. Strick line used to run mainly to the Persian Gulf. I joined my first ship the M.V. Farsistan (after completing my pre-sea training in Warsash School of Navigation) in one of the aforementioned Docks back in 1963 and I clearly emember a local pub named “The George”, where the ship’s officers used to go for a pint or two whilst the ship was berthed in the area. Can Anyone remember these ships?

    Guy Bechard. (Capt).

    Reply
    • My apologies, I should have said at the very beginning of my message “I was a deck officer…” and I also mis-spelt the Shipping Company’s name that should read “City and Ellerman”.

      “Guy” Bechard (Capt).

    • I should have added that the physical address of Frank C Strick was:-
      12 -20 Camomile Street, London EC3.

      “Guy” Bechard (Capt).

    • My great great grandfather was owner of the Spill Ivoride company along Lea River, producing ivoride now called plastic. George Spill and Daniel Spill were well-known for Indian rubber producing water resistant capes for UK soldiers during Krim war. Family vault at City of London Cemetery . P. Spill

  2. My Grandfather worked for Milns, Cartwright and Reynolds in Poplar during WWII – my father visited the area a few years ago but couldn’t remember an address. Any thoughts ?

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  3. My grandfather lived in Lodore Street in 1922 when he married my grandmother. Has anyone any idea what he might have lived in then as I understand it is now nothing like it was then. A photo of that time would be wonderful, has anyone got any ideas where I could look for this. Thank you.

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  4. My great grandfather, Frederick Goddard, died of smallpox in 1876. He lived at Grundy St. Poplar but I can’t find any record of where he was buried.

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  5. Always interesting as my forebears lived Poplar area
    I visited local Pub but no help.
    Local roads and streets replaced by motorways
    Doing Genealogy I want to know more
    Please help me
    Thank you Muriel Dick nee CRAIGIE, NZ

    Reply
  6. Can any one help. my great uncle lived in poplar and I have just heard he had a shop ?? the name was Snowey Eke he had a son John and twins Sidney and don’t know the little girls name would have been about 1929/30s

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  7. My family worked in the glass factory in Poplar then migrated to New Albany Indiana then to Kokomo indiana all the while working in glass factories. They were the Robert Patterson Gammans and Susan Mercer family’s. They lived in the All Saints area and also Hackney. The family’s migrated down from Scotland, to Liverpool, Cumberland, Cockermouth, Workington then to Poplar.They left England around 1865 or earlier.

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  8. Lenny West lived in Providence House West Ferry Road, poplar – went to Wades Street Catholic School – would love to hear from kids who played at Limehouse Pier – Victoria Park , Shadwell locks , hard but we were all had the same, nothing, great days

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  9. My husband’s Father was born in Poplar late 1880’s his parents ran an “off licence”. My husbands father was William Stapleton also called Willie or Harry. He had a brother Leslie as well as other siblings. He migrated to Australia after 1st ww and spent the rest of his life he

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  10. My Mum lived in The Ivy pub with my auntie, uncle and Nan in the 1930/40 I can’t find a photo of it anywhere 😔

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  11. Hi there can any one help me please ,what it is what ship sailed in to poplar or surrounding area from abroad about 1937 my nan rose Emmins came from surrounding area, poplar Walthamstow Chingford Stepney met a man had my father and looking for any information to do with a grandad who the family never knew family that I am related to are Emmins Nunn ,my nan was one of thirteen children names a few William [ Bill ] Emmins brother Charlie brother . sister babs not sure if this one was a sister or cousin Nellie lived Stepney, so who ever can help me kind regards karen jessett nee Emmins Family years ago had fruit and veg stall.

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  12. Trying to find Cawdor Street. I think my Great-Grandfather’s family lived there about 1860 – 1910. His name was Frederick Pearson father of Leslie. Would appreciate any help.

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    • I had relatives living Cawdor St also, think late 1880s, maybe Simpson, shipping folk. I visited Poplar area 2003, but much gone and motorway there now. Had fun visiting old pub from New Zealand, but old fellows there could not help. Craigie was my maiden name, Auchterarder and Saline, now NZ, any help appreciated,thanks, Muriel

  13. Unfortunately I don’t have any info regarding comments. Interesting site. My great aunt’s family ran a baker shop from Upper North Street, Poplar.
    The 1901 the census shows that they had 2 servants and the male children helped with deliveries. The family name is Mager. I believe he was interned in 1915. Does anyone know anything of them or the shop?

    Reply
    • Ingrid

      I am currently researching Poplar as I’m looking for information about the Old Poplar Police Station and came across this website – by looking up your surname on the 1911 UK Census I found the following :-
      Living at 69 Upper North Street Poplar
      George Henry Mager 47 born Germany
      Lydia Mager 41 born Hackney London
      George Alfred Mager 17 born Holloway London
      Conrad Mager 15 born Holloway London
      Alfred Henry Andreas Mager 14 Born Plaistow London Junior clerk
      William George Mager 12 born Poplar London Assistant in a Chemist
      Margaret Winifred maker 10 born Poplar London at School
      Percival John Mager 8 born Poplar London at School
      Evelyn Lucy Mager newborn 10 weeks old born Poplar London
      They were married 18yrs had 9 children only 7 living 2 died family all running the Bakery except for the younger children

      Hopefully this will help you start tracing your family tree

    • The name of the bakers in Upper North Street was Webbs. It was next to a greengrocer’s. Lovely fresh bread baked daily. I remember joining the very long queue as a child to get the family’s hot cross buns on Good Fridays.
      I can even remember what he (the baker) looked like, wore a tan coloured coat (like a doctor’s coat) whilst in the shop.
      Jeannie (Gough Grove, street nearby)

    • Jeannie, my Grandfather Alfred Webb worked in that bakehouse. He was a master baker and Pastry Chef. He made birthday and wedding cakes as well as baking bread and rolls

    • My great grandfather, Joseph Elliot, was a hair dresser in Poplar. My grandmother, Hannah, was born there in 1891. They lived at 3 St Leonard’s Rd, Poplar. Would love to find a photo of 3 St Leonard’s Rd. He worked from home. Does anyone have a photo of that road to include number 3? Any photos or responses from descendants of Joseph Elliot would be wonderful. Thank you for your response!

  14. My great grandfather, Harry Floyd, emigrated from Poplar to Canada in 1904 and settled in southern Saskatchewan near the village of Harptree. My grandfather, William, was two years old at the time. I’m wondering if I might still have family in the area, or anywhere in the UK for that matter.

    Reply
  15. My mother Eileen Gabrielson was born in Poplar in 1932 and was evacuated to stoke on Trent. My great grandfather worked as a barge builder and mt grandad was in the merchant navy. Would love to tour around the area one day, to walk in their footsteps just once

    Reply
    • My Grandad and family drank in the ‘Abbey’ the Aberfeldy Tavern for many years – some might say he had shares in it lol…. I remember being taken to the pub and occasionally the chip shop you mention as a child…. although more often we would go to ‘Wally reardons (I think it was) shell fish stall….. Happy days,

    • Hello Michelle and Kevin – I set up The Tommy Flowers Pub at 50 Aberfeldy Street last year, in a former florists and before that a GP surgery. We’re very interested in any old photographs of the area and have already digitised a great set given by Tommy Shotter’s family of the festivals/parades he organised in the 1970s. Here’s some more info about the pub – Tommy Flowers and there’s a podcast with WRNS who worked with TF in 1944 at Bletchley Park here Podcast Please note our current opening times are 5pm-11pm Thurs-Sat as a pub and 10am-2pm Mon-Wed as a cafe. Best wishes – Garry

    • Michelle, my Great Grandfather also ran a fish and chip shop at the same address. His name was John Arthur Miller. He was there until around 1917(ish). I have a photo of him outside with a horse he used to make deliveries. I have him there on the 1911 census, and still there in 1917 on some military call up appeals.

  16. Does anyone know of a company called ‘Grindleys’ ? or similar, was based in Poplar in the 1940’s (I believe) and was eventually pulled down.
    I’m writing a tribute for a gentleman who worked there, he was 99 years old. The family are not sure of the spelling of the company, but this chap worked there for over 16 yrs.
    Would appreciate your help in this matter. Many thanks.

    Reply
    • Grindley and Co
      of 21 to 23 Broomfield Street, Poplar, London, E

      1868 Company established.

      1914 Tar and rosin distillers. Specialities: insulating and transformer oils, black varnishes, soluble drier preparations, motor and other greases.

  17. I only know poplar as such as my dad used to work in s garage there called Poplar Motors? It was in the 60s and he used to tell us the Ronnie and Reggie Kray were regular customers. I can’t find any info on this place. Can anyone help? 😊

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  18. My nan Ethel was from Canningtown, she married Cornelius Cocklin and their children, my mum Pauline Cocklin and her sister Constance Cocklin. were born in Poplar. They moved out to Dagenham Essex and lived above a grocers shop. I was born in Romford Essex in 1956 after Mum and Auntie Connie were resettled in Romford Essex.

    Reply
  19. my nan and gramp grew up in poplar, isle of dogs nan lived at 370 manchester road her maiden name was Hook, her DAD was joseph albert Hook/my gramp was james “jim” Martin he lived at 5 lammda? he was a lamplighter back then in poplar
    they were married in 1935 the blitz demolished their home and they were moved to oxford,
    i would love to know more about poplar and any family in london that might still be there.

    Reply
    • i am doing my family tree and i am trying to find out when my grandparents home was bombed, they lived at 24 Gilbraith street poplar,and they were moved to Eynsham a village near Oxford their surname was Flynn and my great grandparents Edward and Fanny Searls lived at 378 Manchester Rd Poplar they moved to live with there daughter in Clacton on sea to escape the bombing, my mother would never talk about it so i have no information only that they lost there home but i do know that for the rest of her life she shook when ever she heard a siren. my mother was Dorothy Flynn and i believe she worked at a factory that made prams.

  20. My Craigie relatives lived here around late 1800s being shipping folk moving to Manila trading in tobacco and cigars. Doing genealogy research I would be pleased for any information about 30 Oriental St and 30 Cawdor St, Poplar…..thanks

    Reply
  21. I was only looking at the site because I was told my great great grandfather was a night watchman in poplar England, and fell into a canal and drowned in January of 1851. His name was John Ranshaw. His children scattered shortly thereafter, one son to America, one son to the 43rd Light Infantry, and a daughter married.

    Reply
    • If remember the bakers shop in the 1940/50 the used sell a type of tray bake cake called l think Lochnan it was iced sponge with sprinkles and was sold by the square very cheaply. I lived in Augusta st. Opposite the Lloyd loom factory.

    • Hi Bob
      Was it you who posted a message about the Lloyd Loom factory in Poplar ? My grandparents Tom and Mary Barrett lived at 6 Uamvar Street from the 1910’s to at least the 1950’s. My Dad told me that their house backed onto the Lloyd Loom Factory. As a child I remember the sawing and manufacturing noise from the building.

  22. My great-grandfather moved from Bavaria to Poplar as a carpenter and then to the US after the boom in the 1840-60. I’m not sure of the dates. My Grandfather Frank Poplar was born in Chicago in 1870. The buildings built on street Poplar Ave in Chicago were built by my relatives.

    Reply
    • I just recently became interested of Poplar because of the television show Call the Midwife and an upcoming visit to London. What a small world to hear about Poplar Street in Chicago. I live in Chicago and was excited to hear about the connection to the street and the town in England. Thank you for sharing this info.

    • I was born in Stepney in 1935 evacuated in 1940 returned to live in bow , poplar , and millwall now the isle of dogs. Then poplar Augusta st. My mother had 6 children all in hospital Stepney Lying in commercial rd Stepney poplar hospital and devons rd. which makes me think the midwives programme is not strictly accurate. These various moves were due to bomb damage and returning from evacuation and the production of an increase in family.

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