Victoria Embankment, London

The Victoria Embankment, previously the Thames Embankment is a road and walkway along the north bank of the River Thames in London in the cities of Westminster and London.

History

It was created in 1870 by Joseph Bazalgette, and was a project of the Metropolitan Board of Works. The original impetus was the need to provide London with a modern sewage system. Another major consideration was the desirability of relieving 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.

Route

The Victoria Embankment starts at Westminster Bridge, just north of the Palace of Westminster, then follows the course of the river bank north, past Hungerford Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, and then ends at Blackfriars Bridge.

Transport

London Underground stations on the Embankment are Westminster, Embankment, Charing Cross, Temple and Blackfriars.

The Embankment was also the southern end of the Kingsway tramway subway.

Tourist attractions

Ships permanently moored by the Embankment include HMS President and HQS Wellington. Other attractions include Cleopatra's Needle.