History in Structure

Thames Tunnel (That Part Which Lies in London Borough of Southwark)

A Grade II* Listed Building in Rotherhithe, London

More Photos »
Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.5024 / 51°30'8"N

Longitude: -0.0537 / 0°3'13"W

OS Eastings: 535184

OS Northings: 179963

OS Grid: TQ351799

Mapcode National: GBR JB.33L

Mapcode Global: VHGR1.0HYL

Plus Code: 9C3XGW2W+XG

Entry Name: Thames Tunnel (That Part Which Lies in London Borough of Southwark)

Listing Date: 24 March 1995

Grade: II*

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1378391

English Heritage Legacy ID: 470692

ID on this website: 101378391

Location: Southwark, London, SE16

County: London

District: Southwark

Electoral Ward/Division: Rotherhithe

Built-Up Area: Southwark

Traditional County: Surrey

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London

Church of England Parish: Rotherhithe St Mary with All Saints

Church of England Diocese: Southwark

Find accommodation in
Bermondsey

Listing Text


SOUTHWARK

TQ3579 BRUNEL ROAD
636-1/6/876 Thames Tunnel (that part which lies
24/03/95 in London Borough of Southwark)

II*

Underwater tunnel for human traffic, now used as a underground
railway tunnel. Begun 1825, completed 1843. By engineer Marc
Isambard Brunel with assistance from Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Brick bedded in Roman cement and faced with clay tiles and
stucco. Stucco finish in 'ashlar' on top of red clay tile
lining of tunnel.
Approx 366m (1200ft)long. 2 parallel vaults of horseshoe
section, 4.27m (14ft) wide by 4.88m (16ft) high and joined at
intervals by cross arches encased in a rectangular brick
framework 11.58m (38ft) wide and 6.7m (22ft) high externally.
At the end are access shafts 15.24m (50ft) across. Segmental
arches separating the 2 vaults 'rest' on Greek Doric
half-columns with square abaci. Many arches have been filled
in.
HISTORICAL NOTE: experimental attempts to construct a tunnel
were made in 1805 by Robert Vazie and again in 1808 by Richard
Trevithick. The present tunnel was constructed on a new line
to a revised scheme by Marc Brunel (1769-1849) using a
tunnelling shield designed by him and patented in 1818. The
tunnel was opened on 26 May 1843. It remained a foot tunnel
until 1865-1869 when it was converted for the East London
Railway. Later used by electric underground trains (East
London Line).
The northern part of this item is situated in the London
Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Listing NGR: TQ3516479990

This text is from the original listing, and may not necessarily reflect the current setting of the building.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.