Bankside will play host to a special fair that pays tribute to the weird and wonderful winters of Southwark’s past, including when an elephant walked across the Thames.
Over the next two months, Better Bankside, the business improvement district for the area, is putting on the biggest modern day ‘Frost Fair’ yet – a tribute to the area’s unique history, celebrating the fascinating stories from winters past.
There have been modern revivals of the famed Frost Fairs before, but none of them on this scale.
Between 1605 and 1814, the surface of the River Thames froze over 24 times, bringing all trade on the water to a standstill.
The people of Bankside turned catastrophe into opportunity, creating what was known as the ‘Frost Fair’. They hosted markets, organised gambling and games on the ice, and guided people across the frozen river.
Legend has it that when the Thames last froze over in 1814, an elephant was walked across the ice.
Inspired by this, from Thursday, December 1st, Better Bankside will be recreating these strange happenings for the very first time through a special augmented reality display. There will also be events, workshops and food & drink to mirror the markets of the past.
A specially curated street art trail will be revealed where visitors will find murals displaying historical scenes and modern interpretations of the Frost Fair from renowned street artists: Mr Cenz, Dreph, Nomad Clan and Peachzz.
Meanwhile, guided tours will take place throughout December and January where people can discover more about the games, events and markets that took place on the river during these icy winters.
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Bankside businesses will also be creating Frost Fair inspired menu items and food & drink experiences, hosting themed club and music nights, workshops and events with donations going towards supporting local homeless charity The Manna Society.
Bankside’s Frost Fair has various sponsors, including Better Bankside, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe and many more.
It launches on Thursday, December 1st at 18:14pm on Dirty Lane, SE1 9PA, just down the road from Borough Market. It’s on until January 31st.
For more information about Frost Fair and what’s on offer, click HERE.