Home » History, In The News, Timewarpians

Victorian Tunnel Reopens with Tour and Fancy Fair

on March 15, 2010 – 2:02 am

The historic Thames Tunnel in Rotherhithe, Great Britain, known in its day as the eighth wonder of the world, reopened for two days to tourists. The tunnel was built between 1825 and 1843, and was Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s first engineering project, which he worked on at age 19. The tunnel, which has been closed to the public for 145 years, was a major mid-19th century tourist attraction, lined with shops and attractions. Queen Victoria was among the millions who walked its 1,300 foot length.

Pedestrians were allowed back in Friday and Saturday as part of London’s East arts festival. In addition to a historic Thames Tunnel walk, there was also an underwater fair, reminiscent of the Victorian entertainments that took place on the site over 145 years ago. The 2010 Victorian fair featured fire eaters, strongmen, Brunel cocktails and jelly at the fair, and all manner of Victorian themed attractions.

Victorian Christmas

463 Comments »