Deptford History Ramble with Marie-Louise Plum
Sunday 23rd November
11am - 2pm
Join Mudlark Marie-Louise Plum for a history ramble through Deptford, rediscovering hidden and forgotten histories through mudlark found artefacts. Meet characters of Deptford past, from scandalously behaved foreign dignitaries to everyday tailors, sailors and dreamers.
Meet outside Mousetail Coffee shop next to Deptford Mainline Station at 11am
We’ll begin with William Wright, a tailor of Deptford. Here we’ll look at some of his button artefacts and get a glimpse into everyday life on the High Street in his time.
From there, we’ll continue Wright’s story, seeing more of his button finds and wrapping up what they tell us about his trade and the people who lived here.
Next, we’ll walk through St Paul’s Churchyard, cut across Church Street, and make our way to St Nicholas Churchyard. Here we’ll look at a dagger and a money box lid, along with trade beads and shell money — traces of Deptford’s global connections. This spot also links to figures like Christopher Marlowe, Francis Drake, Captain Cook, and Olaudah Equiano.
We’ll then head along Stowage and Clarence Road to Deptford Creek, where we’ll stop by the Peter the Great statue. Here, we’ll talk about shipbuilding tools, bottles, and perhaps spot the sunken barge if the tide allows. We’ll also hear about John Evelyn and some of the rowdier moments of his time.
Continuing along the Thames Path towards Twinkle Park, we’ll pause near the site of the Old King’s Head and the Watergate Stairs, our access point to the foreshore.
Finally, we’ll spend time exploring the foreshore itself — uncovering artefacts and stories connected to Mary Lacey and William Chandler, hay barges, blacksmiths and shipsmiths, the Royal Navy, and even Catherine of Braganza’s royal marriage. We’ll see how much we can cover depending on the time — and the tides.