[Sharon]

London and it's famous River Thames. A once thriving industrial thoroughfare now used for city sightseeing and travel on the high-speed Thames Clippers - yet it is not the only river London boasts.

The River Westbourne is the most interesting

Encased in piping and driven underground to allow for the construction of Belgravia and Chelsea, the River Westbourne has continued to run its course in darkness since the 1850s. While its contents have changed over time, from pure water to sewage to drainage, the Westbourne has become a key destination for intrepid urban explorers prepared to chart its ghostly journey beneath the heart of London.

Less committed urbexers can still explore aspects of the Westbourne’s subterranean course, and walk through at least 20 meters of tunnel via the Chelsea Embankment at low tide, with permission.

Make sure to get out before the tide turns, and continue to the Sloane Square tube station, where the river is suspended over the tracks within its original 19th century encasement.

There are rumors of ghostly apparitions that have been associated with the Westbourne, as its piping survived the 1940 bombing of the Sloane Square station during the Battle of Britain in which 36 less fortunate souls perished.

Before it was banished below ground, the river had been associated with a number of deaths, notably when it was dammed in the mid-18th century to beautify Hyde Park and its stagnant waters were ingested by over 100 Londoners.

More info on London's subterranean rivers HERE

[Sharon]

For you hardened river travel enthusiasts
Thames Clippers

Hurricane Clipper at Greenland Pier heading towards Canary Wharf - London's second tallest building after The Shard (one with pointed top)



Close-up heading towards Tower Bridge
(okay, that's plenty of this )



They have a small bar and Starbucks Coffee on them so ye can get trollied on your way to work

[Photoplay]

Thanks Sharon. Great infoThe brick laying in those tunnels is a art.

[Kelseecat65]

Love this!!!!

[Faline]

[Jere]

[Zambini]

Weren't a lot of artifacts found recently when the Thames water level got really low?

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by Zambini ↗

Weren't a lot of artifacts found recently when the Thames water level got really low?

I'll have to look into that

We have a group of people called 'Mudlarkers' who explore the foreshores of many of the UK's rivers - the Thames being the most popular. The things they unearth is amazing!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudlark

[kellyhound]

fantastic

[goregeous]

wow, how lovely!