On the northern corner of Blackfriars Road and Union Street stood the Surrey Chapel, built in 1783. It then took on a completely different persona.
The Surrey Chapel was one of the first octagonal churches, in England, and was constructed in 1783, by Reverend Rowland Hill. The chapel had innovative features that included gas lighting, underfloor heating and an organ that used thunder and lightning effects, He chose the octagonal design so that the Devil would not be able to lurk in the corners.
Able to hold 1,200 people, the eccentric Reverend Hill preached here for nearly fifty years, usually to a full congregation, from his pulpit that was situated in the centre of the chapel.
In 1881 the chapel closed and, by 1910, was converted into a boxing arena, by Dick Burge, who was a former British lightweight champion between 1891-1897, and his wife Bella. They replaced the pulpit with a raised, roped-in enclosure, with a circular stage surrounded by seats for spectators.
Dick Burge renamed the building 'The Ring', which stems from early literal ground-drawn fight circles used in the early bare-knuckle boxing days under London Prize Ring Rules.
It would become the first indoor boxing ring for the working classes and would go on to become one of the most popular boxing venues, in London, famous as a proving ground for boxing talent, where well-known prize-fighters took on apprentice fighters.
Although predominantly known as a boxing venue, it did transition from a boxing hub to a working men's club, focusing on community, darts, bingo, and other social activities.
On October 25, 1940, the German Luftwaffe carried out a daylight raid, which saw a bomb hit Blackfriars Road, which damaged the building. However, the venue stayed open as the damage wasn't too bad.
In March 1941 another bombing raid all but destroyed 'The Ring', bringing its glory days to an end. The damage from the second bomb was so severe that the building was demolished and the area cleared.
Today, nothing remains of 'The Ring', except for photographs and memories held by those who still remember it.
The building that now resides on the site is called 'Palestra' is a commercial building, completed in 2006, and home to Transport for London. Its modern design emphasises sustainability, featuring energy-efficient systems like solar panels, advanced insulation, and energy-saving lighting.
'Palestra' is a Greek word, defined as 'a place for training and wrestling practice'.
Some of the famous British and Empire fighters that graced the venue were Alf Mancini, Freddie Percival Mills, Jack Drummond, Jack Hood, Judah Bergman (known as Jack Kid Berg), Len Harvey, Len Johnson and the legendary Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis.
In 1914, Bella of Blackfriars’, as she was known, broke the taboo of women attending boxing bouts when she and her actress friends become regulars at ringside. She would also go on to become Britain's first female boxing promoter.
Some of its famous spectators included the Duke of Windsor, in 1928, accompanied by Harry Preston, a hotelier who promoted Brighton as a holiday resort. Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw were often seen at the venue, too.
The Ring Bar stands diagonally opposite the former site and pays tribute to the boxing heritage, of 'The Ring', with memorabilia and pictures on its walls.
The pub, consisting of one main room, is a wonderful place to visit, with every inch of its walls covered with boxing memorabilia, photographs, programmes and more,
Details (all details correct at time of publishing)
- Established - 1910
- Food - yes
- Outside seating - yes
- Riverside - n/a
- Location - SE1 8HA
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