London Photo Gallery - Bow Creek and River Lea

The River Lea starts in Bedfordshire and flows 46 miles to London, bringing drinking water to the city, supplying factories and mills along its banks, and allowing timber to be transported. The final stretch before reaching the Thames is known as Bow Creek. The area around Bromley-by-Bow in east London was once an industrial area with major flour milling operations. The banks along the Bow Creek and River Lea are undergoing regeneration thanks to the Olympic effect in nearby Stratford. Once dubbed the city's forgotten river, the entire riverfront seems to be under construction, changing its face into a residential area. Bow River Village is a shared ownership development facing the river with 1 to 3-bedroom units. This is one of London's more affordable areas where 2 bedroom units costed from just over 500,000 pounds when first launched, with 35% share available. A little more upstream across High Street, Legacy Wharf is expected to bring 700 new homes to the market, while there are tall new residential buildings next door already and a graffiti-laden walking path along the river to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The tallest buildings are Capital Towers, rising 14 and 34 stories. The House Mill on Three Mills Island is a Grade 1 listed tidal mill from the 18th century. This area has a long history with an entry already in the Domesday Book in 1086 with some of the country's earliest known mills. The current site's foundations date back to the late 14th century. These mills produced flour to local bakers that supplied London, although during the war against Spain in 1588, there was also a gunpowder mill here. As time passed, the site also saw alcohol production. The buildings suffered tremendous damage during World War II and were threatened with demolition in the 1970s, but have luckily been saved and conserved. Next door is Three Mills Green, which is wedged between the rivers and offers a good breathing space for the area's new residents.