The hidden Greenwich foot tunnel

London is absolutely packed full of historical hidden gems, and until today I’d never heard of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Many features of the tunnel seem to hark back to a bygone age which is perhaps not surprising as it dates from 1902 and was built to give easy access from South London to the Isle of Dogs.

The tunnel is an ideal attraction in itself, running under the River Thames, it is accessed via a lift which still includes a lift attendant. Drips from the ceiling remind you of the river above, although hopefully these are caused by condensation and not Thames river water – it has stood solid for over 108 years.

Once through the tunnel, visitors have a wealth of attractions in themselves to explore. These include the Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich and Island Gardens and the Martitime museum and Royal Observatory. There are also a lot of boat trips from the Greenwich area to explore the river and get around London in style.

A few tunnel facts:
-  The tunnel is 1,217 feet long and runs about 50 feet under the River Thames.
-  Two hundred thousand glazed white tiles line the tunnel walls.
-  It cost £127,000 to build the tunnel.
- The tunnel is open 24 hours a day although the lifts only operate during the day.

Useful links:
Greenwich official web site
Hotels around Greenwich
Attractions around Greenwich