Main content

Tooley Street, London: The Great Stink

The outbreak of World War One had some unexpected consequences in London.

In September 1914, German egg inspectors were stopped from entering the wharves of the Port of London鈥檚 egg market on Tooley Street under the powers of the Defence of the Realm Act.

Germans made up the majority of the egg inspectors and the result was that tons of eggs built up and went rotten.

Surrounding businesses and residents in Bermondsey were left to cope with the result: a 鈥済reat stink鈥 which well into 1915.

The situation was only resolved after a group of businesses prosecuted the local council.

Location: Tooley Street, London SE1

Release date:

Duration:

3 minutes

This clip is from

Featured in...