Rediscover Rotherhithe's 'eighth wonder of the world' this May After an unusual day out? One that shows you a side of the city you've never seen before? The Brunel Museum has it covered. On Saturday 22 May, this hidden gem will reopen for weekends, bringing Londoners closer to the incredible tale of the Thames Tunnel. This long, dark and sometimes deadly subterranean passage was once dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Built by two engineering greats — Marc Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel — the Thames Tunnel was the first pedestrian crossing of its kind, running all the way under the River Thames. Over 150 years ago, it was converted into a railway tunnel, but its amazing legacy is kept alive by The Brunel Museum, which today stands on the site where this ambitious piece of 19th-century infrastructure took shape. Head to Marc Brunel's original Engine House and discover how his tunnelling shield design revolutionised civil engineering. Find out how Isambard Kingdom Brunel narrowly avoided death in a tragedy that claimed the lives of six workers. And experience the sheer magnitude of the project yourself with a thrilling descent into the cavernous Grade II listed tunnel shaft — all included with your £6 admission fee. Click below to plan your visit. |