Have you ever thought about sewage disposal in London? This trip will introduce you to how the Victorians, led by Joseph Bazalgette, tackled the problem of sewage disposal and disease resulting from a growing population in London.
We will meet our Blue Badge guide at the wonderful Knights Templar pub for coffee and to hear about the story of spending a penny from Roman times to the coming of the flush loo. We will learn how Sir Joseph Bazalgette stopped London’s waste running into the Thames by building massive sewers beneath new embankments created by pushing back the mighty river behind stone walls. From there we will proceed to the Embankment to board a boat to Greenwich. Whilst on the boat we can eat our packed lunch (not included in the cost) and enjoy the interesting sights from the river.
At Greenwich a coach takes us further east past Woolwich to the Thames Marshes and Joseph Bazalgette’s Cathedral of Sewage. Here we will meet our volunteer guide who will be keen to show us the enormous pumps and explain how it all works. It is a highly decorated building in the truly Victorian style and a fitting monument to such an important installation. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided and are included in the cost. We plan to leave for home at 4.30pm.
Leaders: Sue Willis (07973 507338) and Sheila Knight (07811 085917)
Please use these numbers only in an emergency on the day of the trip.
Cost: £48