Greenwich Foot Tunnel, Greenwich, London

Although very run down (under renovation now) it’s the beat way to cross the river, as you do a bit of a walking and it’s fun to walk under the water of the Thames.

Can be scary at night when it’s empty, although it is fitted with CCTV all over it

I don't like it. I know it's very convenient if you need to get to the other side, but it's a bit scary for a girl on her own. It smells of wee, there's always drunk boys down here and if you ever did find yourself in trouble, there's only one way to run and that freaks me out a bit. It's also got some pretty sporadic opening times at the moment, which doesn't help matters if you're not a massive girl.

To be fair, they are doing it up, which explains the strange opening times, but I still don't feel safe using the tunnel. I DO feel safe using the DLR, so I'd rather do that.

It's great if you want to visit Greenwich, to get off the DLR at 'Island Gardens' and from there to walk through the tunnel to the other side of the river. And then visit the rest of Greenwich.
I used to go there at night, when there's no people in the tunnel. So quiet, creepy and in the same time, amazing. hehe

Not the best place to go if you are claustrophobic/ have an over active imagination and fantasise about the tunnel caving in under the weight of the Thames in an unescapable death.

Still, if you're a cheapskate like me then it's a fabulous way to cross the river and, for a tunnel, smells surprisingly lacking in urine.

Don’t go in the tunnel if you’re claustrophobic!! It’s fairly long and can get a bit busy during peak times. Howver it’s a really interesting way to cross the river - and cheaper than public transport!

It’s impressive to think how old the tunnel is, and how far is spans.

Both sides of the river ar enice places to sit and watch the world go by - so use this quirky little tunnel to join both sides and see which you prefer!

its ok if you like to walk then this is a cheaper option to get around under the Theams, it is cool but scary lol

Even at 13, I found this place creepy - it is very quiet at times and the echo is amazing, from one side you can’t see the end of the other. There are lifts to get down to the tunnel itself and you can either take the lift or stairs. I found the lifts amazing - they are massive and have a real retro feel as they have their own operator. Not many places where you still get that today.

The actual tunnel looks old and that’s what freaks me out it looks like it could collapse at any moment and there are even some drops coming down. There’s usually quite a few people down there and it’s great actually going under a river and looking back where you just came from.

This is one of those quirky London gems that provide enjoyment and memories for all ages.

There is something curious or magical about walking underneath the Thames and to be able to look back to the other side when you emerge.

It’s also interesting historically in that the tunnel was built to allow people to get their jobs on the Isle of Dogs instead of a ferry service that was the previous way across. This was at a time when the Isle of Dogs was home to maritime industry and docks rather than high finance.

Hopefully as other reviewers have noted, because the tunnel is classified as a public highway, it will remain open for the benefit of generations to come.

I came from New Zealand & found the tunnel by accident. My son & I walked through it back again to catch ferry(from Greenwich) . Loved it - what an experience & what technology! One of the high points of my trip!

I agree with the previous reviewer and am unsure why anyone would choose to visit greenwich for this. I understand that many years ago it was the only way to get from one side of the river to Greenwich, but the Docklands Light Railway now does the job. However, to be honest, it is a short walk from Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs and it doesnt take very long at all. Entrance in Greenwich is right near the Cutty Sark so you end up right in the middle of things. Parking at the weekend on the Isle of Dogs is easier than Greenwich so this might be an option then walk through the foot tunnel….just a thought ;-)

Greenwich foot tunnel…hmm. I’m not sure I would pay a special visit to Greenwich just to see it. It’s quite dirty and I wouldn’t recommend going there at night really. The lift people are nice though and I suppose it is worth seeing and walking under the Thames just to say that you have done it. You won’t find much at Island Gardens though so you’ll probably end up walking straight back, or going and getting the DLR back to Greenwich again! If you happen to be in Greenwich for something else, it is worth having a wander through. If not, don’t bother!

well what can i Say, its a tunnel that goes under the Thames to nowhere interesting, and that’s bout it.. well to an adult like me anyhow.

But when i was a kid it was such an exciting time going down the big lifts and under water… oh yes under this big river Thames and to the little park on the other side to get an ice-cream, oh how i wish i was young again. hehe.

It definitely something i would take my kids through as it has a wonderful feeling that you really are deep within the earth under the Thames.

And I’m sure there are places worth a visit on the other side, just never was interested as a kid in that,

But the view from the other side is lovely and can get some nice sunset pics from there.

A curiously unique tunnel! I have run through this tunnel many times. It is not in a great state of repair, but for me that adds to the appeal. There is a long echo in the tunnel; try running and you will find that the repeated echoes create an atmosphere that you will not find elsewhere. I have run through the tunnel at night on many occasions and have never felt unsafe. If you enter the tunnel at the Cutty Sark end, you will eventually emerge at the other end to find a leafy green area bordering on the Thames. Somehow this tunnel would be very dull and clinical if it were in pristine condition.

a real slice of Victorian history. i walked, or ran, this many times with my grandparents, and its tiled walls bring memories of Greenwich and the pre murdoch isle of dogs. of course small boys should walk the stairs for the fun of it! back in the pre arson days the Cutty Sark was visitable on emerging.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel is a really handy way to cross the river if the DLR isn’t running for any reason - it’s classed as a public highway so it’s kept open 24 hours a day.

It’s also part of the National Cycle Network but you’re not allowed to ride your bike through it - cyclists are supposed to get off and push.

The lifts at either end are operated by attendants and only open between 7am and 7pm. There’s no guarantee that they’ll be working when you go through though - especially if you happen to be carrying a lot of heavy shopping!

As for safety, I’ve walked through there at all hours and never felt threatened or unsafe. There are a few CCTV cameras and most of the time there’ll be at least a couple of other people down there with you.

I fear the picture posted here over-glamourises the foot tunnel. For sure, it’s a magnificent work of Victorian architecture. To build something that is so deep beneath the Thames and yet (mostly) watertight, and for it to be still in use 100 years on, is an immense achievement.

Yet the reality of walking through it is dismal. The lifts (immense confession booth wooden panelled jobs) are often out of order, so you have to use the spiral staircases, no easy job when lugging a bike or shopping bags. And when you’re walking through, that wonderment at Victorian architecture soon gives way to feeling you’re trapped in a public loo. It smells dankly of urine, and the neon lighting bouncing off the creamy tiles can be a bit overpowering. I try to jog through as fast as I possibly can to reach the exit.

is an underwater tunnel going from Greenwich to the isle of Dogs, is quite an old tunnel with lots of history, just heard is not very safe for ladies to walk at night as Isle of Dogs is full of gangs of teenagers causing disturbance

Greenwich foot tunnel is one of the least well known ways to cross the thames - underneath it. The long tunnel hemmed in by Victorian tiled walls that haven’t seen the daylight for 150 years. Eeery but very exicting. You can imagine the water above you as you walk from Greenwich to around Canary Wharf. There is always someone behind you, you always hear footsteps real or imagined? What a place to hold a party but of course you are not allowed to.

The greenwich foot tunnel runs under the river thames between cutty sark gardens, The woolwich foot tunnel is situated about three miles downstream, if you ever need to exercise, the foot tunnel is a good route to loose a few pounds regularly, its beneath the water and you can just sence the aquatic nature of its existence, i can remember the opening times at the moment.

When you are walking through this tunnel, you will find it quite a sight, built all those years ago and yet still intact and in service, it is yet another historic part of London - I am surprised this is not covered as an alternative sight in more tourist guides.

Being a local, I find this foot path fairly useful, the DLR is down quite a bit for maintenance so rather than waiting for some replacement bus that will appear god knows when, why not opt for the healthier option and take a quick stroll to Cutty Sark Greenwich?

Mind you, it can get pretty chilly in the tunnel during the winter months!