Blackfriars to Putney on the Tidal Thames

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 18:00

This part of the River Thames is the bit I know best - but from the bank and bridges. 

The Oxo Building - not advertising, its all in the design

The banks are lined with famous venues and London landmarks ......

The south bank is the "gateway" to South East London, Lambeth, Vauxhall, Battersea and Wandsworth. The north bank is home to The Strand, Westminster, Millbank and Chelsea.

A glimpse of St Paul's Cathedral

Victoria Embankment on the north bank was reclaimed from 37 acres of mud from the banks in 1868. This made the river narrower, ending the skating when the river froze over and, more importantly, it provided  a flood wall, a riverside walk, new sewers and part of the District Line tube. It stretches from Blackfriars to Westminster Bridge. Many a time have I wandered along this very pleasant walk.

Victoria Embankment and Waterloo Bridge

We were told that a lifeboat could be with us in 2 minutes if we were in trouble (that beats waiting for hours for BW!) and below Waterloo Bridge is one of the RNLI Lifeboat Piers

Two lifeboats ready to go

On the south bank after Waterloo Bridge is the cultural centre of the South Bank Arts Centre - Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and Festival Hall and other venues. I remember the excitement of these being opened: revolutionary 1960s design then, now perhaps I see it as more a concrete jungle.

South Bank Arts Centre

Two London icons were next - the London Eye on the south bank above Hungerford Bridge (or Charing Cross Rail Bridge) and, above Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliament on the north bank. The Golden Jubilee Footbridges that flank the bridge have attractive cable stays suspended from pylons - they were quite a feat of engineering to build.

Golden Jubilee Footbridge

The London Eye and Old County Hall

Westminster Bridge, the House of Commons, Big Ben (in the Clock Tower!) and Portcullis House

Above Lambeth Bridge and before Vauxhall Bridge is a building made famous by a certain spy. Reputedly called "Legoland" or "Babylon-on-Thames" in the Intelligence community, 85 Albert Embankment has featured in at least three James Bond films. We were following one of the London DUKW tours and got slightly worried when it veered off and up the ramp beside the building!

MI6 HQ and DUKW

Vauxhall Bridge was the first iron bridge to span the London Thames and also is the only one with bronze figures set into it. The old Battersea Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, towers above on the south bank ; one day they will do something with it. Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Park on the south bank follow, before the graceful Albert suspension bridge. I would love to see Albert Bridge from the river at night, when it is illuminated by over 4,000 bulbs. 

Albert Bridge (north arch) under repair, from upstream

On the north bank is Chelsea Embankment, hiding the view of Chelsea Hospital, home of the Chelsea Pensioners and the Flower Show. Battersea Bridge was once a wooden one - it has been painted by Whistler and Turner. The 1890 replacement iron bridge is not nearly so picturesque, but it tries!

Battersea Bridge with the ubiquitous red London bus

Wandsworth (we are really in South London on the south bank now) gives way to Putney, with the beginnings of Fulham on the north bank. Moored boats, light industry and apartment blocks line the river until the more salubrious areas of Putney and Chiswick appear. I have missed out some of what we passed - the blog is long enough as it is!

Perhaps the ugliest bridge on the river - Wandsworth

West London is to come and then finally we would be out of the big city and I would cheer ......

Tidal River Thames, Blackfriars Bridge to Wandsworth Bridge
0 hours 52 minutes, 5.54 miles, 0 locks