Watermen’s Hall in the City of London

Published 20-May-24 · Updated 31-Jul-25

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen is one of the City of London’s many historic organisations. It is not a Livery Company though as it has never been given a grant of Livery. Watermen are people working on the river transporting passengers, whereas lightermen work with freight.

The company traces it roots back to 1514 and the hall itself was built in 1780 on St Mary at Hill, close to the old Billingsgate Fish Market. Like most of the other City of London’s Livery Companies, the company no longer has a regulatory role in their profession yet it does remain very active organising apprenticeships and lobbying on topics related to the river.

Historic ceremonies are never far away in the City of London, and so it is that the Company is involved. The best known are;

Doggett’s Coat and Badge – the oldest annual river race which has run every year since 1715.
The Tudor Pull – escorting the Royal Barge “Gloriana” from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London.
Swan Upping – The official count of swans on the River Thames. See my pictures from 2024.
Knollys Rose Ceremony – Delivering a red rose to the Lord Mayor of the City of London. See my pictures from 2018.

Building

Uniforms

Doggett’s Coat and Badge

Robin’s Coat and Badge

Regatta Coat and Badge

Bargemaster’s Uniform

Coat of Arms

Silverware

The older City of London institutions have lots of finely worked silverware, the Company of Watermen and Lightermen being no exception. The decorative pieces on show range from the very old to the very new.