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First recorded on census in 1793, The Smiths as it was originally named, until 1825, was located at 129 Rotherhithe Street until 1869.
The Blacksmiths was acquired by many families over the years, largely being looked after by the Hall family from 1881 until his children took over & are registered on the census in 1901 then
re-registered on the census in 1923.
In 1988, the Queen Mother was on her first visit to Rotherhithe since the Blitz days of the second world war. The Queen Mother & her team of security were passing The Blacksmiths when she decided she would like to visit & the security went in, spoke to the landlord & she popped in to speak to the landlord & the locals & even poured a pint of ale! Unfortunately previous owners had lost pictures but we managed to find an image of the Queen Mother having a drink of what we assume was half an ale while standing at the bar.
Located next to the Blacksmiths Arms is Nelsons House which was built in the 1740s on a former shipyard and probably built for one of the shipbuilding owners.
Unusually the front entrance faces Rotherhithe Street rather than the Thames, this leads to the possibility that it led to the shipyard.
The roof has an octagonal cupola with stunning views of the river.
This Grade II* building is now for personal use and not open to the public.
Next to the house is Nelson Dock. This dry dock was used for shipbuilding from the 17th Century and is not thought to be named after the famous admiral but possibly another Nelson.
Warships and clippers were built here along with many other ships until the dock closed in 1968.
The buildings you see today are the surviving sheds of Mill's and Knight ship repairers who were based at Nelson Dock from 1886 until the docks closed.
The ship 'La Dame de Serk' used to be moored in the dry dock by the Double Tree Hilton Hotel.
Horatio Nelson was said to drink in The Smiths Arms & his girlfriend Lady Hamilton was living just next door.
The Blacksmiths still maintains original fittings & styles of an old century pub, even down to not receiving any phone signal as soon as you walk through the door! We have introduced our function room upstairs as Nelsons Lounge as a nod to our old neighbour, it is an extension of our homely style leading from downstairs & can be hired for a wide range of events.
Please visit our other pages to find out what we can offer you & to book a table with us.
HOURS
Monday - Friday
16:00 - 23:00
Saturday - Sunday
16:00 - 23:00
VISIT
KITCHEN
Monday - Friday
17:00-21:30
Saturday
12:00-21:30
Sunday
12:00 - 21:00