Victoria Embankment

The Victoria Embankment, is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and walkway along the north bank of the River Thames in London. Victoria Embankment extends from the City of Westminster into the City of London.

The Victoria Embankment is located at the coordinates coord|51|30|26|N|0|07|18|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title.

The Victoria Embankment's construction started in 1865. It was completed in 1870 under the direction of Joseph Bazalgette, and was a project of the Metropolitan Board of Works. The contractor for the work was Thomas Brassey. [cite book | last =Walker | first =Charles | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Thomas Brassey, Railway Builder | publisher =Frederick Muller | year =1969 | location =London | pages =151 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn =0584103050 ] The original impetus was the need to provide London with a modern sewerage system. Another major consideration was the relief of congestion on The Strand and Fleet Street.

The project involved building out onto the foreshore of the Thames, thus narrowing the river. The construction work required the purchase and demolition of much expensive riverside property. The tunnels for the District Line were built underneath the Embankment. At ground level, in addition to the new roads, two handsome public gardens were laid out. One of these backs onto the government buildings of Whitehall, and the other stretches from Hungerford Bridge to Waterloo Bridge. The gardens contain many statues, including a monument to Bazalgette. The section of the gardens between Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross railway station also includes a large bandstand, where many musical performances are given, and the watergate of the former York House.

The water gate, its main historical feature, was built in 1626 for the Duke of Buckingham.

Route

The Victoria Embankment (part of the A3211) starts at Westminster Bridge, just north of the Palace of Westminster, then follows the course of the north bank, past Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, before ending at Blackfriars Bridge. Shell Mex House, the Savoy Hotel and Savoy Place are located between the Embankment and the Strand.

Transport

London Underground stations along Victoria Embankment are Westminster, Embankment, Charing Cross, Temple and Blackfriars. The former Aldwych tube station was also located nearby. London Bus routes 388 and N50 are the only bus routes along the Embankment, perhaps because of the proliferation of tube stations along the route.

Victoria Embankment was also the southern end of the Kingsway Tramway Subway.

Tourist attractions

Ships permanently moored by Victoria Embankment include HMS "President" and HMS "Wellington". Other attractions include Cleopatra's Needle and the modernistic Cleopatra's Kiosk.

References