Remnant of Millbank Penitentiary

This seemingly ordinary wall is actually a remnant of Millbank Prison’s (1816-90) perimeter ditch. In terms of its construction, the prison was not a successful project, and by 1892 it had been demolished. Today, the (now) Tate Britain and the Millbank Estate sit on the site of the former prison. The perimeter ditch is adjacent to one of the many blocks of flats and, currently, it flanks an allotment. 

The Millbank Estate, a social housing project built at the start of the 20th century, provided accommodation for over 4,000 residents over several blocks. The red bricks which give the estate a distinctive look, were recycled from Millbank prison. The windows, a key feature of the architecture, were designed to maximise light and make the flats seem more spacious. 

In extras:

— closer views of the original ditch wall
— various view of residential blocks including one in colour to show the red brick.