Storm Surge, Woolwich

When storm comes with spring tide

When the high winds rise

When a wall of water travels up the Thames

When 45 square metres of land is covered –

hospitals, powers stations, the London Underground

When the city sinks

When thousands drown

While we wake and work and sleep and dream –

how little we know

Made of concrete and steel, 520 metres wide

A barrier against it all –

while we sleep and dream

 

By Robert Seatter

If you enjoyed this poem, take a look at the other Thames Path 30th Anniversary poems.

The Thames Barrier

The extraordinary Thames Barrier at Woolwich is one of the world’s largest movable flood barriers. It saves the capital every year from potential devastation. But how many of us know that?

It spans 520 metres across the Thames, near Woolwich. Its ten, movable steel gates protect 125 square kilometres of central London from tidal-surge flooding. When raised, the 3300-tonne main gates stand as high as a five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge.

Find out more by visiting the Thames Barrier Information Centre, a small, informative exhibition about the past, present and future of this marvel of engineering and science. It explains the flood risk to London and the history and environment of the Thames. Visitors can see a working model of the Thames Barrier, a film on its construction, a virtual technical ‘tour’ and interactive displays.

 

Woolwich

Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, Woolwich is within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Throughout the 16th to 20th centuries it was an important industrial, maritime and military base and today many of those historic connections remain. The Woolwich Works stands on a site within the Royal Arsenal that's rich with history and stories passed down through generations. Find out more about the building and community by booking a tour of the Grade II listed building. Tours are usually every Sunday at 11am and suggested donations are £3. Visit a market or an event at The Woolwich Works.

 

Take  A Walk Along The Thames Path

London Thames Path South Bank Walks - Section 3c - Follow the National Trail around Greenwich Peninsula and enjoy an art trail and the iconic Thames Barrier as your destination and then on to the official end of the Thames Path - the Woolwich Foot Tunnel. The Path used to end at the Thames Barrier, until in January 2022, it was extended by 1.2 miles to the Woolwich Foot Tunnel where it connects with King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail.


Distance Greenwich to Woolwich Foot Tunnel  7 km/ 4.3 miles | Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes

View of people enjoying the River Thames along the South Bank.

London Thames Path - SOUTH BANK WALKS

The Thames Path team have teamed up with Go Jaunty to bring you this series of walks in our grand Capital city. Follow the South Bank of the famous River Thames all the way from Hampton Court to Greenwich. The route is broken down into 6 chunks, so you can pick the one…