Watercolours and drawings collection: watercolour by Ralph Willet Lucas, c.1840. Copyright: London Borough of Greenwich

This semi-derelict, but inhabited, cottage stood to the east of Enderby's Rope Works on the west side of Greenwich Marsh (now the Peninsula).

Alacatel now occupies the site of Enderby's, which burnt down in 1845.

The lane passing the cottage is presumably Marsh lane, now Blackwall Lane. This huge area of largely uninhabited marshland must have been a quiet retreat for Lucas, the artist, away from the noise and bustle of the rapidly growing town of Greenwich.

By the time that this painting was made the centre of Greenwich had been comprehensively redeveloped by Greenwich Hospital Estates producing elegant new streets: Nelson Road, College Approach, King William Walk, a new market, and a much improved road system.