Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is neat little pedestrian crossing that sits 50 feet below the dark murky waters of the River Thames. This tunnel is 1,217 feet long and takes less than 15 minutes to walk from one side to the other if you go kinda slow. And the views from the other side are well worth the wee stroll.
In my mind the Greenwich Foot Tunnel is an alternative tourist attraction, which provides a slightly surreal, but fun experience. The tunnel is lined with over 200,000 white tiles, and that along with the grimy faded feel of the place and the little puddles of water on the ground help to make it great little experience, I kid you not!
The tunnel which has been linking Greenwich with the Isle of Dogs since 1902, is a real piece of history. I personally find it a touch on the scary side knowing that the River Thames is only a few feet above my head and when a drip of water hits the back of your neck, believe me it feels closer.
On the Greenwich side of the tunnel the entrance is just a stones throw from the Cutty Sark. When I was walking through the tunnel the other day there was quiet a few people walking towards the Isle of Dogs side. However when I headed back to the Greenwich side about 30 minutes later, there wasn’t a soul going about, which helped to create a real spooky feeling. Where did all the people go?
I wouldn’t advise going to Greenwich just for the sake of taking a walk along the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, but I would recommend adding it to your list of things to do whilst enjoying the many other delights in the area. This is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in London, but never the less if you like following the less well trodden path, open your mind and get into the experience you will enjoy it!
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A nice one for the visitors that – and then on to the DLR at Mudchute for a driverless tour through our own little Manhattan back into town
Is the north lift still defunct?
The lift is still down. I will have to experience that journey next time I’m over that side of London.
Blimey, i ain’t used that tunnel in years i quite like it around there i used to walk through to go to the pie mash shop on the Greenwich side,
sadly i think it’s gone now i remember it being on the local TV news about it having to close.
Great seeing them pics.
it is strange that this seedy tunnel still exists in its current form. Although i rather hope it stays totally unchanged. Do you think it will get a make over for the olympics?
They are in the process of giving it a make over a the moment and from what I can gather it wil be transformed by March 2011….
Pity the Pie Mash shop closed I would have been right in there for some nosh…
When my boy was 6/7 (over 30 years ago)he and his friends birthday treat was to go accross Woolwich ferry (and back) and then go to Greenwich and go down in lift to tunnel and then enjoy thrill of tunnel and enjoy the echoing footsteps and echoed shouts of joy !
Fond memories
( also took young visitors also to top of hill in park and see the bomb damage to base of Woolfs statue and to stand feet each side of meridium!)