Greenwich Foot Tunnel

THIS IS SO COOL.
My family and I came by to show the Cutty Sark to my American cousin and discovered this. I didn’t know tunnels under the Thames existed, and though I may seem lame and easily pleased, I found the experience awesome.
It is just a tunnel but I found it so fun. I wouldn’t walk through late at night alone, as it is just a fancy subway. But what a cool subway.

This is one attraction that most tourists do not know about. If you love traveling all over London and If you are into WWII history then you should check it out. You get to
walk under the river, instead of over it like the rest of the people.

I’m adventurous and give this a try but won’t do it again if I’m not with a good company as a felt bit lonely going through it. It’s not the most pleasant place in London although is one one of the most interesting.

Für mich ein absolutes Muss, wenn ich einen Ausflug nach Greenwich mache. Man ist zwar nicht schneller als mit der Bahn, hat dafür aber ein Erlebnis mehr. Erst gehts ordentlich runter und dann unter der Themse zu Fuß durch. Der Tunnel selbst bietet keine überragenden highlights das highlight ist das Erlebnis und das Wissen wo man lang geht. So in der Art bietet das der alte Elbtunnel in Hamburg nicht.

I don’t like it. I know it’s very convenient if you need to get to the other side, but it’s a bit scary for a girl on her own. It smells of wee, there’s always drunk boys down here and if you ever did find yourself in trouble, there’s only one way to run and that freaks me out a bit. It’s also got some pretty sporadic opening times at the moment, which doesn’t help matters if you’re not a massive girl.
To be fair, they are doing it up, which explains the strange opening times, but I still don’t feel safe using the tunnel. I DO feel safe using the DLR, so I’d rather do that.

It’s great if you want to visit Greenwich, to get off the DLR at ‘Island Gardens’ and from there to walk through the tunnel to the other side of the river. And then visit the rest of Greenwich.
I used to go there at night, when there’s no people in the tunnel. So quiet, creepy and in the same time, amazing. hehe

Not the best place to go if you are claustrophobic/​have an over active imagination and fantasise about the tunnel caving in under the weight of the Thames in an unescapable death.
Still, if you’re a cheapskate like me then it’s a fabulous way to cross the river and, for a tunnel, smells surprisingly lacking in urine.

Don’t go in the tunnel if you’re claustrophobic! It’s fairly long and can get a bit busy during peak times. Howver it’s a really interesting way to cross the river — and cheaper than public transport!
It’s impressive to think how old the tunnel is, and how far is spans.
Both sides of the river ar enice places to sit and watch the world go by — so use this quirky little tunnel to join both sides and see which you prefer!

Ein Tunnel, den man nicht so oft findet. Ist zwar etwa 4 Jahre her, aber ich habe ihn noch gut in Erinnerung
Erst ging es weit runter und dann zu Fuß durch den langen Tunnel. Wenn man einmal in Greenwich und Umgebung ist, sollte man sich diesen Spaziergang nicht entgehen lassen.

Even at 13, I found this place creepy — it is very quiet at times and the echo is amazing, from one side you can’t see the end of the other. There are lifts to get down to the tunnel itself and you can either take the lift or stairs. I found the lifts amazing — they are massive and have a real retro feel as they have their own operator. Not many places where you still get that today.
The actual tunnel looks old and that’s what freaks me out it looks like it could collapse at any moment and there are even some drops coming down. There’s usually quite a few people down there and it’s great actually going under a river and looking back where you just came from.

This is one of those quirky London gems that provide enjoyment and memories for all ages.
There is something curious or magical about walking underneath the Thames and to be able to look back to the other side when you emerge.
It’s also interesting historically in that the tunnel was built to allow people to get their jobs on the Isle of Dogs instead of a ferry service that was the previous way across. This was at a time when the Isle of Dogs was home to maritime industry and docks rather than high finance.
Hopefully as other reviewers have noted, because the tunnel is classified as a public highway, it will remain open for the benefit of generations to come.

Es un tunel que hay por debajo del Tamesis.
Si tienes claustrofobia no bajes.
Es muy antiguo y cruza el tamesis de Lado a lado.
A cada lado del tunel hay un ascensor en el que te atiende una persona con cordialidad britanica, es curioso.

I agree with the previous reviewer and am unsure why anyone would choose to visit greenwich for this. I understand that many years ago it was the only way to get from one side of the river to Greenwich, but the Docklands Light Railway now does the job. However, to be honest, it is a short walk from Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs and it doesnt take very long at all. Entrance in Greenwich is right near the Cutty Sark so you end up right in the middle of things. Parking at the weekend on the Isle of Dogs is easier than Greenwich so this might be an option then walk through the foot tunnel. just a thought ;-)

A curiously unique tunnel! I have run through this tunnel many times. It is not in a great state of repair, but for me that adds to the appeal. There is a long echo in the tunnel; try running and you will find that the repeated echoes create an atmosphere that you will not find elsewhere. I have run through the tunnel at night on many occasions and have never felt unsafe. If you enter the tunnel at the Cutty Sark end, you will eventually emerge at the other end to find a leafy green area bordering on the Thames. Somehow this tunnel would be very dull and clinical if it were in pristine condition.

well what can i Say, its a tunnel that goes under the Thames to nowhere interesting, and that’s bout it. well to an adult like me anyhow.
But when i was a kid it was such an exciting time going down the big lifts and under water oh yes under this big river Thames and to the little park on the other side to get an ice-​cream, oh how i wish i was young again. hehe.
It definitely something i would take my kids through as it has a wonderful feeling that you really are deep within the earth under the Thames.
And I’m sure there are places worth a visit on the other side, just never was interested as a kid in that,
But the view from the other side is lovely and can get some nice sunset pics from there.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel is a really handy way to cross the river if the DLR isn’t running for any reason — it’s classed as a public highway so it’s kept open 24 hours a day.
It’s also part of the National Cycle Network but you’re not allowed to ride your bike through it — cyclists are supposed to get off and push.
The lifts at either end are operated by attendants and only open between 7am and 7pm. There’s no guarantee that they’ll be working when you go through though — especially if you happen to be carrying a lot of heavy shopping!
As for safety, I’ve walked through there at all hours and never felt threatened or unsafe. There are a few CCTV cameras and most of the time there’ll be at least a couple of other people down there with you.

When you are walking through this tunnel, you will find it quite a sight, built all those years ago and yet still intact and in service, it is yet another historic part of London — I am surprised this is not covered as an alternative sight in more tourist guides.
Being a local, I find this foot path fairly useful, the DLR is down quite a bit for maintenance so rather than waiting for some replacement bus that will appear god knows when, why not opt for the healthier option and take a quick stroll to Cutty Sark Greenwich?
Mind you, it can get pretty chilly in the tunnel during the winter months!

The Foot Tunnel is one of the best ways across the river, especially for people on the Isle of Dogs.
It’s really a little gem, as it’s the nearest method of getting across the river without walking down further West, or using Blackwall tunnel (but only if you have a car!)
The tunnel is very well maintained. It’s clean, smells fresh and is in a good condition.
The Foot Tunnel is surprisingly quiet considering it being an important link between North and South of the river. Perhaps it’s not really known about amongst tourists, or people are scared? No need to be scared! There are loads of CCTV cameras and people that use it have one motive, to get to the other side!
The elevators in the tunnel are usually always working, although they have been out for the past few days, but were being fixed pretty fast.

Atmospheric and interesting, this old tunnel is extremely useful for crossing the river by foot and I’ve always rather enjoyed using it. Be warned though — if you’ve had a pint or too don’t stop and chat to people half way through as i did one time. We suddenly resalised we’d forgotten which way was which and faced the prospect of potentially going back the way we’d come! I can’t recall how we sorted this out but there was a logic to it I think. The other thing worth mentioning are the vast lifts used to get to the tunnel itself — very characterful and old fashioned.

If you’re going to spectate at the London Marathon in April, then watching the start on Blackheath, cutting through Greenwich, down through the tunnel then onto the DLR will allow you to see the race leaders five or six times round the course if you plan it right.
The Café at the Island Gardens side is very nice too.

The Greenwich foot tunnel is a pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the River Thames in South East London, linking the London Borough of Greenwich in the south with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to the north. It was designed by civil engineer Sir Alexander Binnie for London County Council, and was constructed by contractor John Cochrane & Co; the project started in June 1899 and the tunnel was opened on 4 August 1902.
I love the concept. although it does smell down there and is really quite cold!!!

How do I get from north London to Greenwich on the bus £3 only please without wasting time by crossing in central london or the deptford tunnel thing (if indeed that is its name?)
Why then you use this tunnel here my friend, although the latter part of your journey will be on foot, as a bus wouldn’t fit in the lift.
Get off your bus (C2? C3?) at the island gardens dlr stop, proceed down the side road to the river and there it is, the north entrance! Go down in the wood walled manned lift, endure the resentment of the one hour of sunlight a day lift operator, and head into the tunnel, which dips then rises, to avoid the water. And obey the rules: no running, no cycling, no loud noises, and definitely no explosions. YEAH! You are in a tunnel. Rules matter. You’re not on the tube now, sweating and waiting to die. You are sweating and waiting to die under the Thames, on foot, in a foot tunnel. All the difference in the world. And you can actually SMELL the river through the walls. And watch it come through in small drop sized portions.
Then you emerge right in greenwich near that bit of burnt wood that used to be an iron hulled tea clipper that we flogged to the portuguese for most of its working life. Cutty Sark, i think the name means young girl’s dress. Seriously.
There you go. Greenwich for £3. Much better than certain other thames foot tunnels we could name (wool itch anyone?)
It is shut at certain times though; why not risk it? Because you would be stuck on the isle of dogs waiting for a bus that never comes, that’s why.

Built over a hundred years ago this is one of London’s less visible attractions. It runs between Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs (South of Canary Warf) and Greenwich (right by the Cutty Sark) and was built to take workers from the South to the Northern docks. At the surface all you can see is two strange round buildings. If you didn’t know better you might expect to see an old telescope sticking out. Inside though there’s a choice of lift or stairs. If you choose the stairs it’s a long way spiralling down. You might want to check for signs saying if the lifts are working before you go down! Anyway, the lifts are an experience One minute you are standing on the river bank, next you could be in some posh department store. The lifts are huge, wooden panelled and complete with an operator sitting on a chair!
After that the tunnel itself is a disappointment to be honest. It’s pretty much like the tunnels found in many underground stations. It goes down a bit then goes up a bit. That’s it. Fairly grotty and dull really. Ah well, that’s not the point. The experience is more about the idea, if you get what I mean. There’s not many places on Earth you can walk under a major river. Don’t forget when you re-​emerge to look across the river and spot where you came from, especially if you have kids with you. They’ll love it.