History bit
Visit bit
Visited with Maniac, SirJonnyP, T. and M.(not sure of his username)
On reaching the bottom of the shaft the view is similar the whole way through the tunnel. Huge rusting pipes run down each side leaving a narrow but not claustrophobic walkway. The tunnel construction changes from concrete, to iron segments, to pretty brickwork, though this is barely perceptible unless you’re looking for it. In places the ground is just dirt (who knows where this came from) but some brown tiles remain intact nearer the north end.
The best bit of this subway, which I’m sure the original passengers didn’t get to enjoy, was the Crystal Maze-esque monkeying on the pipes to avoid a section of foot-deep water. Disturbing the water causes a huge noisy pump to switch on, which is also a bit of a bitch to navigate around.
Apparently the subway is at least 30ft deeper than the river, but this doesn’t stop loads of stalactites forming which I found fascinating.
The climb back up isn't too strenuous but a bit rusty in place. Watch your step!
Anyway onto the images - taken from my new camera’s first outing (so excuse the quality).
a) Beginning of the flooded section - the fun begins!
b) Stalactites forming through iron segments
c) Slightly rustier section looking south. The pipes to the left are covered with some sticky kind of tar covered fabric.
d) Here the floor is covered with brown tiles, not sure if they are original.
e) This bit partially shows the difference in height within the tunnel (perhaps when it was fixed during the war). I chose to focus on the light fitting
f) Segments up close - the holes in the middle are possibly where the grouting was injected to close up the void left by the tunnelling shield
g) Tiny stalactites
g) North brick lined shaft
h) Same shaft looking up
Quite an unassuming tunnel, but amazing to think it's sat safely under the Thames for over a century.
Visit bit
Visited with Maniac, SirJonnyP, T. and M.(not sure of his username)
On reaching the bottom of the shaft the view is similar the whole way through the tunnel. Huge rusting pipes run down each side leaving a narrow but not claustrophobic walkway. The tunnel construction changes from concrete, to iron segments, to pretty brickwork, though this is barely perceptible unless you’re looking for it. In places the ground is just dirt (who knows where this came from) but some brown tiles remain intact nearer the north end.
The best bit of this subway, which I’m sure the original passengers didn’t get to enjoy, was the Crystal Maze-esque monkeying on the pipes to avoid a section of foot-deep water. Disturbing the water causes a huge noisy pump to switch on, which is also a bit of a bitch to navigate around.
Apparently the subway is at least 30ft deeper than the river, but this doesn’t stop loads of stalactites forming which I found fascinating.
The climb back up isn't too strenuous but a bit rusty in place. Watch your step!
Anyway onto the images - taken from my new camera’s first outing (so excuse the quality).
a) Beginning of the flooded section - the fun begins!
b) Stalactites forming through iron segments
c) Slightly rustier section looking south. The pipes to the left are covered with some sticky kind of tar covered fabric.
d) Here the floor is covered with brown tiles, not sure if they are original.
e) This bit partially shows the difference in height within the tunnel (perhaps when it was fixed during the war). I chose to focus on the light fitting
f) Segments up close - the holes in the middle are possibly where the grouting was injected to close up the void left by the tunnelling shield
g) Tiny stalactites
g) North brick lined shaft
h) Same shaft looking up
Quite an unassuming tunnel, but amazing to think it's sat safely under the Thames for over a century.
