History of the Bow Back Rivers

The Bow Back Rivers form a complex network of watercourses located towards the lower end of the River Lee Navigation in east London, created when a huge marsh was drained and its waters confined in a number of channels. The waters are semi-tidal and the area is considered to be the birthplace of London's industry.

Parts of the Bow Back Rivers date back to the time of Alfred the Great and the invasion of the Danes; it is recorded that the King trapped their ships by draining the lower Lee, forcing the invaders to flee on horseback. During the industrial revolution the Back Rivers played a major role in providing water to local industry and in the 1930s they were improved both for navigational purposes and the drainage of floodwater.

The quiet backwaters remain some of London's least-populated waterways. Milling of grain was a key industry and a total of nine mills were recorded in the Domesday Book. One of the surviving mills, the House Mill, is thought to be amongst the largest and most powerful tide mills ever built. It has been restored and is open to the public. Wildlife areas have been created and the area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Contemporary plans for development around The Bow Back Rivers include the creation of rejuvenated waterside facilities for recreational and business use.