Architecture on the Thames Central Tideway special - Thursday 5 June 2025 4.30pm - Indoor seating ticket
Regular price £42.50Join Open City and special guests from Tideway for a late afternoon Thames tour exploring the extraordinary design story of Tideway – London’s new £5 billion ‘super sewer’
Departing from Crown Pier close to Blackfriars Bridge, the tour will see Benedict O'Looney — Open City’s specialist Architecture on the Thames guide — share the microphone with Tideway’s Clare Donnelly (architect and legacy design advisor), James Smith (programme director), Jordan Newell (head of stakeholder and public affairs) and Tideway’s public art consultant Bridget Sawyers.
Together these speakers have played a leading role in the design and creation of a series of landmark new waterfront parks at key locations throughout central London connected to the construction of the Thames Tideway tunnel.
Tideway is a major investment in upgrading London’s wastewater infrastructure for the 21st century; offering an exciting opportunity to enhance the appearance, identity and experience of one of the world's greatest cities through the creation of a series of new public spaces along the Thames.
This unique riverside tour will offer a fresh perspective on London’s emerging and established skyline and will be led by our specialist guide Benedict O'Looney. Benedict's in-depth knowledge – founded on his work as a practicing architect based in Peckham and a teacher at the prestigious Architectural Association – guarantees deep insight and thoughtful commentary.
Along the way our guest speakers will share the inspiration behind the designs for the eight new landmark public realm spaces that will be created as part of the project as well as the enormous civil engineering undertaking, and the multi-disciplinary collaborative efforts behind Tideway’s success.
Key information
Depart/Return: Crown Pier, Victoria Embankment EC4Y 0HJ
Duration: 2.45 hours approx
Regretfully no under-7s, no dogs
This boat tour has limited capacity. Seating will be available both inside and outside. Please select your preferred option when purchasing your ticket. The outside seating area is not covered in the event of rain so please dress appropriately for the weather. Drinks and light snacks are available for purchase on board.
Enter code GROUP-BOAT at the shop page checkout for 15% discount on purchase of 3 tickets or more.
Please select solidarity pricing if you feel you can help our charity to offer reduced concessionary tickets to others who require them.
We aim to be inclusive and accessible where possible, please contact Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk to discuss your accessibility needs, reduced ticket prices and if you require a free carer ticket.
Tickets are non-refundable and tours go ahead rain or shine.
* Please check for any planned transport engineering works, planned strike action or large scale events that may affect your journey before making your ticket purchase *
If you find you can no longer make the tour for any reason including Covid we are unable to transfer you to another date, but please feel free to pass your booked place onto a friend to go and enjoy the tour in your place.
In the event your tour date is cancelled you will be issued with a credit note (with no expiry date) that you can use to
- book onto a rescheduled date
- book onto any other tour from our programme
or you can request a refund.
All ticket purchases are in support of the work of our organisation including our pioneering education programmes. We really appreciate your support!
Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
