London’s sewers walking tour - Saturday 29 March 2025 11am
Regular price £5.00Join Open City to explore the past, present and future of London's sanitation infrastructure from the Great Stink of London in 1858 to the Tideway 'Super Sewer'
Led by — led by Golden Key Academy graduate and educator Petra Cox, this walking tour follows the final section of the southern outfall sewer across the Erith Marshes to the Crossness Pumping Station on the banks of the River Thames. Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and completed in 1865 as part of London’s first sewage system, Crossness is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture and engineering.
The tour outlines the development of the Crossness site over its 85 years in operation: from the impact of the Princess Alice disaster to the role of the Crossness Pier and 20th century solutions to London’s waste management.
The walk continues along the Thames riverside path to view the current sewage treatment works and discover how London’s sewage is processed today. Then it’s back to Crossness for refreshments, followed by a look at the Tideway exhibition models to discover the next chapter in the story of London’s sanitation before ending back at Lakeside Centre.
Highlights include Crossness Pumping Station, Precipitation Engine House and Thames Water Sewage Treatment Works.
Key Information
Meet: Outside Lakeside Centre, Southmere Lake, Bazalgette Way SE2 9AN
Duration 3 hours approx
Tour end: Lakeside Centre
Distance: 4 miles approx
The tour crosses undulating and rough grassland which can get muddy after rainfall. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
Ticket cost: £5, with support from Thames Water.
Meet the tour guide.... Petra Cox has been delivering talks, tours and workshops at Crossness Pumping Station since 2016 and is fascinated by the pivotal role sanitation has played in the health of Londoners and the development of our city. Petra graduated from Open City’s Golden Key Academy in 2023. Petra joined the Open City tours team in 2024.
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 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.
Please select solidarity pricing to help Open City offer concessionary tickets rate.
Please get in touch at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
If you find you can no longer make the tour for Covid or any reason we are unable to transfer you to another date, but please feel free to pass your booked place onto a friend to go in your place.
In the event your tour date is cancelled due to Covid or any other reason you will be provided with the opportunity to book onto a rescheduled date, book onto another tour, provided with a credit note (with no expiry date) 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.
