Underwater thoroughfare
London is a city of bridges, connecting its two sides which are dissected by the River Thames.
But this is an exception to the rule. Some Edwardian engineers saw fit to construct a tunnel beneath the river. To this day, it carries pedestrians from Greenwich in the south to the Isle of Dogs on the north bank and is open 24/7. You can take the original staircase or a lift to reach the tunnel.
The brightly lit, white tiled tube is a photographer’s dream for capturing perspective, distance, shape and lines. It’s just busy enough to capture both figures and eerie emptiness. The only hazard is cyclists using it as a race track, despite signs prohibiting this.
Well worth the long trip from west London, where there is no underwater thoroughfare.
Click first image to launch the gallery
mikeosbornphoto 
Great series!
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Thank you very much, Paulo – it’s really a great place to photograph.
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There’s something quite magical about tunnels, unless you’re stuck in one! I’m now dreaming how great it would be to have an underwater tunnel in our part of London.
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Wouldn’t it be something? But I don’t think today’s engineers have the same guts or vision. And it would cost a fair few pounds! Probably a historical anomaly we should be glad is still here.
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They definitely don’t!
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I love this tunnel… I’ve not been through it for years, and your photos – which are great, Mike – will encourage me to go back there! :D
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Thanks Richard! Yes, it’s well worth the schlep across London. I thought it might be far too busy, but there were some empty moments too – just how I like it :)
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I like the perspectives you’ve taken, you’ve managed to make a white tiled tunnel intriguing :)
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Thank you Lee, it’s quite a place. But you’re right, there’s a danger of running out of material there or taking that wonderful tube shot again and again.
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I used to cycle through the Woolwich foot tunnel everyday on my way to work from Islington to Woolwich so I’m guilty of cycling through but at 7am there were very few people on foot. In the afternoon I always walked my bike. It was a source of intense irritation the number that didn’t respect the pedestrian nature of the tunnel. I love these tunnels and they make a great subject for photographs as you’ve demonstrated here Mike. Superb!
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Thank you very much! It really is a good spot for photography despite the errant cyclists :-) The temptation to zip through there must be aching.
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It’s somehow desolate. At least it’s a feeling I get when I see the photos. A perfect scenery for a new episode of Sherlock…
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I bet it’s been used on film a lot. It’s open at night too… won’t look any different, but I wonder if it’s creepy anyway…
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Great post!
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Thank you :)
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