The river Fleet - London’s forgotten river

Following the course of Londons forgotten river

The Fleet used to be a tributary of the river Thames until it was sunk by the Victorians and incorporated into the sewer system to become one of the Capital’s subterranean rivers.

If you walk its course, you’ll take in some of London’s landmarks along the way, including the Highgate and Hampstead ponds, created when the river was dammed in the 17th century. From here it disappears underground to flow through Camden Town, King’s Cross (it used to flow through what is now the ticket hall) and along Fleet Street, to which it lent its name, before joining the Thames at Blackfriars Bridge.

Five hot stops along the river Fleet

1. Ye Olde Mitre Tavern, 1 Ely Court, EC1N

This tiny pub, built in 1547, is tucked away between numbers 8 and 9 Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery district. Not far from St Paul’s Cathedral and Smithfield Market, Queen Elizabeth I allegedly danced the maypole around the preserved cherry tree in the bar, which also featured in the film Snatch.

2. The Orangery, Great Ormond St, WC1

The architects at Spacelab transformed the ugly, unused roof of Great Ormond Street Hospital into a stunning sculptural pavilion of timber and glass, with an integrated landscaped outdoor area. A world away from the hospital canteen experience, it’s won a RIBA Award and is a hit with both staff and patients.

3. The Viaduct Tavern, 126 Newgate St, EC1A

This Victorian pub faces its namesake, Holborn Viaduct. The viaduct connected Holborn with Newgate Street, avoiding a deep dip in the road caused by the river Fleet. The pub was built on the site of Newgate Prison, notorious for its public hangings, and its beer cellars are actually the former cells of the prison, which you can tour by arrangement.

4. The Golden Boy of Pye Corner, on the corner of Cock Lane and Giltspur St, EC1

The statue of a small boy, set into the side of a building, commemorates the Great Fire of London, and was erected where the fire stopped at what was known as Pye Corner. The inscription reads: ‘This Boy is in Memory Put up for the late FIRE of LONDON Occasion’d by the Sin of Gluttony.’

5. The Zetter Hotel, 86-88 Clerkenwell Rd, EC1M

Boutique hotel The Zetter sits 1,500ft above the river and pumps water from the spring beneath. Once filtered, they bottle it and serve it in their restaurant, with a history of The Fleet on every bottle. Overlooking the historic cobbled stones of St John’s Square, stop by for Sunday lunch along your route and enjoy the live jazz.

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All change! The Jubilee Line was originally going to be called the Fleet Line, but was renamed after the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.