Update – tickets go on sale on Thur 24th April, details at the bottom of the article

This coming May Bank Holiday will offer an exceptionally rare opportunity to walk through Brunel’s original tunnel under the Thames.

While tens of thousands of people pass through the tunnel everyday, they do so within the cocoon of a modern London Overground train, and you can, if lucky make out some of the original arches and decoration through the windows.

However, to walk through the tunnel is very rare – and in fact the only time in living memory that I am aware of was in 2010, following upgrade works for the London Overground.

This May Bank Holiday opportunity is also thanks to London Overground upgrades, although this time tied into the expansion of the line to 5-carriages.

So, we get longer trains, and a chance to walk through a train tunnel — what a delightful combination.

Tickets are not on sale yet — so don’t phone to harass them, and I will flag up the details on here as soon as they are confirmed. But if you were planning a Bank Holiday getaway, you might now want to keep one of the days free for your tour.

The Tunnel walks will be between 10:30 to 19:30 on the Saturday 24th May and 09:30 to 18:30 on the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

The proceeds will be shared between the Railway Children’s charity and the Brunel Museum at Rotherhithe.

I was actually told about this event a few months ago, but told to keep quiet about it until the dates were confirmed, which they now have been, so I am telling you.

Has your May Bank Holiday just got a bit more exciting?

Tickets go on sale on 24 April at 10am and will cost £18 per person with a £1.50 transaction fee.

Ticket availability is strictly limited, and no on the day admissions will be permitted.

Tickets are available HERE!