Saddlers’ Hall is one of the oldest and most prestigious livery halls in London. It is the home of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, a guild that traces its origins back to the 12th century. The hall has witnessed many events in London’s history, but perhaps none more dramatic than the night of December 29th, 1940, when it was engulfed by flames during the Blitz.
How Saddlers’ Hall Survived the Blitz: A Historical Overview
The First Hall and the Great Fire
The first Saddlers’ Hall was established in what was known as “the Saddlery”, between Cheapside and Gutter Lane, around 1395. It was granted by Richard II as part of the Incorporation Charter of the Saddlers’ Company. The hall was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, along with most of the City of London. A successor was built on the same site, with a classical facade facing Cheapside.
The Second Hall and the Victorian Era
The second hall lasted until 1821, when it was burned down by an accidental fire. The third hall was built in 1822, in a neo-classical style designed by John Nash. The hall was enlarged and embellished over the years, with a grand entrance on Cheapside featuring marble pillars and a coat of arms. The hall also housed a collection of paintings, antiquities, and treasures belonging to the Saddlers’ Company.
The third hall witnessed many changes in London during the Victorian era. It hosted banquets, ceremonies, lectures, concerts, and exhibitions. It also saw the rise of new modes of transport that challenged the saddlery craft, such as railways and bicycles.
The Third Hall and the Blitz
The third hall survived until 1940, when it faced its greatest challenge: the Blitz. On December 29th that year, Hitler’s fire-bombs fell on surrounding buildings on Cheapside and Gutter Lane. The water supply failed in the City due to damage to pipes and pumps. The fires spread rapidly and reached Saddlers’ Hall.
The hall was engulfed by flames that night, along with all its contents. Nothing was left but rubble and ashes on the site. Only a few items were salvaged from the debris later on: some silverware, some documents, some fragments of paintings.
The Fourth Hall and Beyond
After World War II ended, there were extensive re-planning efforts for rebuilding London’s damaged areas. The Saddlers’ Company lost much of its original medieval freehold by compulsory purchase orders from the Corporation of London.
Nevertheless, they managed to retain part of their site on Gutter Lane for building a new hall. The fourth hall was built in 1958, in a neo-classical style similar to the previous one. It was designed by Leo Sylvester Sullivan, a prominent architect who also worked on St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
The interior is furnished with period furniture and paintings that provide an elegant background for displaying the Company’s surviving treasures, as well as new ones acquired over time. The fourth hall continues to serve as the home of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, one of the oldest and most respected livery companies in London.
It hosts various events throughout the year, such as dinners, receptions, charity functions, and educational activities. It also maintains its links with the saddlery craft and supports various initiatives related to equestrianism, leatherwork, and education.
Saddlers’ Hall is a remarkable example of resilience and continuity in London’s history. It has survived fires, wars, and changes, and still stands proudly today as a symbol of tradition and excellence.
Saddler’s Hall – 40 Gutter Lane London
The following account was written just after the War ended. Between Foster Lane and Gutter Lane, and behind Cheapside’s north facade, lay handsome Saddler’s Hall. Hitler’s fire-bombs fell on surrounding buildings on the night of December 29th, 1940, the night the water supply failed in the City, and the fires spread.
There is nothing left on the extensive site today but the broken marble pillars of the Saddler’s entrance, 141 Cheapside. Not only did the Worshipful Company’s hall go up in flames, but all the Cheapside shops were lost.
Saddler’s Hall, the third on the site, was built in 1822, the buildings along the Cheapside pavement in 1863-4. The Company’s first hall, built in 1396, went in the fire of 1666.
Images from East London showing the destruction from German bombs during World War Two. Images scanned from a genuine copy of The London Evening news magazine, handed down to me from my grandfather.
Does anyone know if when the Sadler’s Hall was destroyed by fire in 1940 if any of the oil paintings in it were saved? I am particularly interested in the portraits of Frederick, Prince of Wales and his wife, Princess Augusta.
HI there – I am trying to find out some information/pictures relating to my Great Grandfathers/Mothers grocery store in Shoreditch. My Grandmother was evacuated here to Bedfordshire during WW2 – can anyone point me in the right direction? Family was HENRY/HARRY & EDITH BOON
Still awaiting reply, Mo.
Would like to see you , please give time and place
Hello really interested in the history of East London in the 50s when there were mid wives or nuns working. Can you send me some information. Thanks
Nikki
Hello Maureen, yes you’ve got the right person, there couldn’t be two of me! My colleagues (Bill Simons) and I are still travelling within the M25 and our photo collection is approximately 6,000. On our books are another 1700 to do which is still be added to weekly. If we can help you in any way, please let me know.
Hi Lloyd, would love to meet up with you. we used to go to cemeteries and there are a few hidden ones in Brentwood where I live…..would love to see you again xx
I found your East End Facts very interesting especially as myself and a friend are working within the M25 photographing plaques, statues etc. At the moment we have taken over 3600 so you can see when we find something of interest like your East End Facts we can log anything of importance to us on our maps to be photographed. If you have any further information that you think might be of interest to us, would you be kind enough to forward it as we believe history should not be buried and there for all to see.
Regards Lloyd
Hi Lloyd, do you live in Romford….if so this is Maureen, if not then sorry
Hi Lloyd, would love to meet up with you. we used to go to cemeteries and there are a few hidden ones in Brentwood where I live…..would love to see you again xx
When where and what time?