We have recently been working on former traditional butchers shop in Deptford. This Grade II listed property along Tanner’s Hill is steeped in rich naval history. This complex conversion of timber framed property in the heart of a conservation area requires an endless list of consultants; ranging from planning advisors, heritage consultants, tree officers and even Bat specialists!

This row of cottages along Tanner’s Hill are important buildings and were part of a row of shipbuilder’s houses of 17th century origin. Deptford Dockyard was founded by Henry VIII and was the leading dockyard in the 16th to 18th centuries which expanded the town around its Naval Dockyard.

This listed group of buildings, at a walking distance from the dockyard, represent the type of housing that would be common for such workers. As a community which, unusually for the time, did not work in their homes, the houses are of very modest scale, with a single room on each floor. The row of small, one-room plan town houses is a rare survival in London, and is an example of ‘urban vernacular’.

Tanner’s Hill was likely developed in the 17th century. 27-31 Tanners Hill was added c.1728, which survive with extensions and alterations. The row was originally purely residential, with the ground floors documented as being converted to shop use c.1830.

Waste timber was a by-product of the Dockyard, and timber offcuts were customarily used as a payment in kind for the workforce. This timber was used in the construction of the Tanner’s Hill houses.

Its been said that timber lengths or ‘chips’ were hauled along Deptford high street by men one at a time which is where the term ‘chip on your shoulder’ originated!  

In 1869 Deptford Dockyard closed and the Royal Navy moved out to Chatham, leading to a period of decline as Deptford diversified. It is likely that this led to the commercialisation of the Tanner’s Hill row.