Where Were the Slums in Victorian London?

By Alice Nichols

During the Victorian era, London was plagued with slums. These overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions were home to the poorest of the poor, and were a blight on the otherwise prosperous city. But where exactly were these slums located?

The East End

The East End of London was perhaps the most infamous area for slums during this time period. This area was home to a large number of immigrants who had come to London in search of work, but often found themselves living in squalor. The streets were narrow and winding, and many houses lacked basic amenities like running water or indoor toilets.

Whitechapel

One of the most well-known areas of the East End was Whitechapel. This neighborhood was particularly notorious due to its association with Jack the Ripper, who committed a series of gruesome murders here in 1888. But even before that, Whitechapel was known for its poverty and overcrowding.

  • Whitechapel had a population density of more than 100 people per acre.
  • Many families lived in one-room apartments that lacked basic amenities like running water or indoor toilets.
  • Disease was rampant, and outbreaks of cholera and typhus were common.

Bethnal Green

Another area of the East End that was heavily affected by poverty and slums was Bethnal Green. This neighborhood was home to many industries that provided employment for local residents, but working conditions were often dangerous and wages were low.

  • Many families lived in crowded tenement buildings that lacked basic amenities like running water or indoor toilets.
  • Disease was common due to poor sanitation conditions.
  • In 1868, an explosion at a match factory killed 22 people, many of whom were young women and girls.

The South Bank

While the East End may have been the most well-known area for slums, there were also many impoverished neighborhoods on the South Bank of the Thames.

Lambeth

One such neighborhood was Lambeth, which was home to a large number of Irish immigrants who had come to London in search of work. The area was known for its high crime rate and poor living conditions.

  • Many families lived in one-room apartments that lacked basic amenities like running water or indoor toilets.
  • The Lambeth Workhouse, which provided relief for the poor, was known for its harsh conditions and lack of basic necessities.

Bermondsey

Another area on the South Bank that was heavily affected by poverty and slums was Bermondsey.

  • In 1862, a factory explosion killed dozens of workers and injured many more.
  • In Conclusion

    The slums of Victorian London were a tragic reminder of the vast inequality that existed at this time. While these areas may have been located in different parts of the city, they shared many similarities in terms of their overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and poverty. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that efforts began to be made to improve living conditions for the poor, but the legacy of the Victorian slums can still be seen in many areas of London today.