

Tunnel entrance from Wapping

This past bank holiday weekend, I and thousands of other Londoners got a rare opportunity to visit the 8th Wonder of the World: the Brunels' Thames Tunnel.

Started by Marc Isambard Brunel and completed by his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the tunnel finally opened in 1843 after nearly 20 years of work. On top of being the first tunnel under a navigable river, it was also the first underwater shopping arcade and underwater dining hall. And it remains the oldest part of TFL's infrastructure.

50,000 people are supposed to have walked through the tunnel on opening day in 1843. However, these days it's a bit more difficult to get access, as it now forms an integral part of the Overground network. Fortunately, a confluence of engineering works allowed myself and others a rare walk through.

This was an extra treat as I've previously walked the East London Line above ground and it's the first time while walking the Underground/Overground that I've actually been able walk directly between two stations along the track. You have no idea how times people have asked me if that was how I was doing my walks.

Here are just a few of my photos:



Rotherhithe Station from track level



One of the original arches



Possible ghost sighting



Old arch next to the preserved one



Gives you an idea on the height of the Tunnel





Clear view down the tunnel



This used to be part of London Underground's East London Line



Looking down the tunnel from Wapping



Wapping Station from track level



The irony is this sign can only be read when on the tracks



Just to be sure, the red signal was still turned on



Very glad the power was switched off



Roughly the middle of the tunnel



Rotherhithe, that way



There are a lot of arches



Original section next to a preserved one



If this pumping equipment wasn't there, the station would quickly fill with water



A different view of a landing at Rotherhithe Station



Just some of the water that has to be constantly pumped from the tunnel



Seems a little unnecessary to state this



Thames Tunnel Plaque



Original shaft down to the tunnel



You can clearly see where the spiral staircases used to be



Just be advised that the entrance to the original lift shaft is not for the claustrophobic

Learn more about the Thames Tunnel:

The Brunels' Tunnel

King of the Underworld: Building The Thames Tunnel

Brunel Museum: History of the Thames Tunnel

Thames Tunnel on Wikipedia

More pictures of this past weekend's visit from other blogs:

BBC - Thames Tunnel: Rare access to 'eighth wonder of world'

Do Not Alight Here: Thames Tunnel Visit

Walking through a Tunnel under the Thames — Part 2

London Reconnections: In Pictures: The Thames Tunnel