£51.50 (Non JG member)
Overview
The Thames Barrier, one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world, 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. The Thames Barrier Information Centre is a small exhibition, where you can learn how the Thames Barrier was designed, built and works. There is a working model of the Thames Barrier, video on the construction, virtual technical tour film plus other films and displays about flooding and the environment. Our guides will cover topics including, the history of the river and the risk of flooding in London, the environment and wildlife of the Thames. Our visit coincides with a Test Closure of the Barrier (subject to operational conditions). The tour takes about 90 minutes. There are no refreshment facilities at the barrier so please bring a flask. After our tour we go to O2 where there will be free time for lunch (there are plenty of places to eat). We then take The Cable Car, admiring the terrific views, across to The Royal Docks (cafes there as well). There will be time to have a wander around The Royal Docks before returning to the coach at about 15.30 for our homeward journey.