Subterranean rivers of London
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The subterranean or underground rivers of London are the tributaries of the River Thames that were built over in the growth of the metropolis of London. Since it is difficult to stop water from flowing downhill, they still flow underground through culverts. Many have been converted into sewers.
Many London localities started their existence as small villages along these rivers, and their place names still reflect their origin.
In recent years, with the restoration of the UK's waterways network gathering pace, parts of some rivers in London have been restored to their previous above-ground state, and fish reintroduced.
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Subterranean rivers in London
Incomplete List
North bank from East to West:
- The Langbourne (dubious - see below)
- The Walbrook
- The River Fleet
- The Tyburn
- The Tyburn Brook
- The River Westbourne
- Counter's Creek
- Stamford Brook
South bank:
- The River Neckinger
- The River Effra
Langbourne
An article on London's Lost Rivers (http://www.wildtrout.org/WTT/library/features/lostlondon.asp) mentions a Langbourne as running along Fenchurch Street, Lombard Street, and Sherbourn Lane but gives no further details. This route looks unlikely, running parallel and in the opposite direction to the Thames. Whatever it was, it has given its name to the Langbourn Ward of the City of London. One possibility is that it was a medieval euphemism for the open sewers which ran along these streets.
The article also mentions a St. Clement’s (as in Oranges and Lemons) stream. This would presumably be in Clements Lane which runs down from Lombard Street. This may have been another open sewer. Likewise for the Oldbourne (or Holbourne) cited as alternative names for the Fleet.
The Wandle
On the South bank the next river upstream from the Effra is the Wandle. The Wandle is not subterranean. To quote from this article (http://www.sutton.gov.uk/Sutton/News/Press+Releases+2004/pr04-154.htm) on the London Borough of Sutton website: "Today most of London’s Thames tributaries flow underground or are imprisoned in concrete. The Wandle remains one of the few that is accessible for most of its length."
See also
References:
- Nicholas Barton, The Lost Rivers of London. Historical Publications; ISBN 094866715X
External links
- London's Lost Rivers (http://www.wildtrout.org/WTT/library/features/lostLondon.asp)
- A map of underground London (http://www.heritagemagazine.co.uk/underground.html)
- London's subterranean River Fleet (http://pvdl.best.vwh.net/fleet5.html)
- Work on uncovering some London rivers (http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/2346.html)he:הנהרות התת קרקעיים של לונדון