Mr. Pitts: St. Katharine's Dock lies off the banks of the River Thames, a stone's throw from Tower Bridge and adjacent to the Tower of London. In 1146, Queen Matilda founded the hospice of St. Katharine's;this grew over the centuries into a large, self-sufficient settlement. By the beginning of the 19th century this land, so close to the heart of London, was needed for dock development. The Royal hospice was moved at this time to Regent's Park where it still remains.