海角视频

Spend the 12 days of Christmas embracing the engineering wonders above and below your feet. This festive season, why not sidestep those expected travel delays and public transport disruptions by embarking on an engineering adventure across Central London?  

As part of the Great British Engineering Adventure, co-developed by consulting engineering, design and advisory practice, 海角视频, and , here is our choice of twelve engineering wonders to capture not only your imagination, but get you kickstarting those healthy habits well before the new year. 

1. St Pancras Station 

St. Pancras station, inaugurated in 1868, stands as a remarkable example of Victorian engineering and Gothic architecture. Its most striking feature is the 75-meter-wide train-shed roof, composed of 24 wrought-iron ribs that span the station without any ties above platform level. This arched roof was unparalleled in size until the 1890s. The station layout was designed by William Henry Barlow, the Midland Railway鈥檚 consultant engineer. The single-span arched train shed, made of iron and glass, highlights the ingenuity of Victorian engineering.

Over 150 years, St. Pancras has evolved from open fields to a densely developed urban area. It remains one of the world’s most elegant stations, a testament to both architectural and engineering brilliance. At the beginning of the 21st century, the station underwent an 拢800 million refurbishment to serve as the terminal for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link/High-Speed 1 (HS1), part of an urban regeneration plan across East London, and was reopened by Queen Elizabeth II in November 2007.

During the festive season, you can also enjoy the spectacular Wicked Christmas tree display – an ode to the Emerald City – and Christmas market at Kings Cross.

2. Mail Rail

The Post Office operated its own private tube line from 1927 to 2003, showcasing London’s innovative approaches to logistics and communication. Known as Mail Rail or the Post Office Railway, this hidden gem of London’s transport history boasts several fascinating engineering aspects: 

Mail Rail functioned as an underground railway system from 1927 to 2003, covering 6.5 miles from Whitechapel in East London to Paddington in the West, efficiently transporting mail across the capital. At its peak, Mail Rail utilized driverless electric trains, which were considered innovative for their time. These trains carried over four million letters daily, operating 22 hours each day. 

The construction of the Mail Rail tunnels employed the Greathead Shield System, a temporary support structure that significantly reduced the risk of collapse and loss of life during excavation. The network featured its own underground workshop beneath Mount Pleasant to ensure smooth and continuous operation. 

The origins of Mail Rail date back to 1855, when Rowland Hill, then secretary to the Post Office, unveiled plans for a system to transport mail in underground tubes. Although initially abandoned, part of the Mail Rail network was later reopened as a visitor attraction, allowing the public to explore a previously hidden part of subterranean London. 鈥疉 section of it is open to the public within The Postal Museum.

3. Tower Bridge

One of the most recognisable and historic bridges in the world, Tower Bridge is 244 metres (800 feet) in length, with two towers each 65 metres (213 feet) high. Designed by Sir Horace Jones in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, an engineer, Tower Bridge is celebrated for both its architectural beauty and Victorian engineering marvel.

Completed in 1894, Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge, built to ease road traffic in London while maintaining river access to the Pool of London docks. It features a sophisticated mechanism allowing the bridge to lift for passing ships. It still serves as a vital crossing of the Thames, being used by over 40,000 people (motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians) each day. The bridge’s bascules were originally operated by steam-powered hydraulics. These were replaced by an electro-hydraulic drive system in the 1970s.

Look out for set against spectacular views of鈥�鈥痑nd the鈥�, offering wooden huts packed with original presents, handmade crafts and plenty of delicious snacks.  

4. London Wall Place 

Remnants of the Roman wall that once encircled Londinium can still be found in various parts of the city. Dating back to around 200 AD, though possibly built on earlier fortifications, the wall originally stretched about 2.5 miles, was 2-2.6 meters thick at its base and stood over six meters high, enclosing an area of approximately 134 hectares. This made London the largest enclosed urban area in Roman Britain. Until the later Middle Ages, the wall defined the boundaries of the City of London, influencing its growth and development both within and beyond its confines. 

Incorporating the medieval St Alphage church tower and remnants of the Roman city wall, a new development by Make Architects seamlessly integrates two new office buildings with a terraced garden. This project opens up previously blocked views and provides public access at street level. Contemporary weathered steel bridges gently curve overhead, connecting to the 1960s Barbican highwalks. 

5. The River Fleet  

Once a major river, now a sewer running from Hampstead Heath to Blackfriars, the Fleet exemplifies London’s capacity to repurpose natural resources for urban living. In June 2008, the office of鈥疢ayor of London鈥痯ublished outline plans to鈥痳einstate鈥痵ome underground rivers.鈥疘n January 2009 the London Rivers Action Plan was created to achieve this. The River Fleet was notorious for its pollution and was gradually covered over from the 1730s to the 1870s, transforming into a storm relief drain.

The Fleet formed part of London鈥檚 sewer system since the development of Joseph Bazalgette鈥檚 comprehensive network in the mid-19th century and carried wastewater to the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works for treatment. Today there鈥檚 renewed interest in the Fleet, with guided walks tracing its route and highlighting the engineering feats that have contained and concealed it beneath the city.

6. Golden Jubilee Bridge, London Sewage System & memorial to Bazalgette鈥�鈥�鈥� 

The pair of striking mast-like footbridges flanking the Hungerford railway bridge were named in honour of Elizabeth II鈥檚 2002 Golden Jubilee, and opened the same year. They link Charing Cross with the South Bank, and replaced a dilapidated walkway attached to the east side of Hungerford Bridge. 

In response to the 鈥楪reat Stink鈥� of 1858, where the Thames became overloaded with untreated human waste, Sir Joseph Bazalgette built a network of sewers that redirected sewage to treatment facilities east of the city, setting a precedent for urban sanitation worldwide. You can see a memorial to Bazalgette on the Victoria Embankment, which was built to cover the sewers.   

7. Victoria Station Redevelopment 

Victoria Station is one of London鈥檚 busiest railway stations, having received over 45  million passengers a year in 2022/3. Originally built as two competing railway stations serving Dover and Brighton, the station is now operated as a single station including provision for the Gatwick Express. The station is situated in a heavily congested environment, including the underground Victoria, District and Circle railway lines as well as Terminus Place bus station in front of the station entrance.

The station is notable for its proximity to Westminster and the Royal Parks, and in recent years the surrounding area has undergone significant commercial development. The redevelopment of London Victoria Station is a significant project aimed at improving passenger experience and operational efficiency. In addition to the complexities of building over a congested station environment, it was necessary to consider the local environment particularly around building heights and critical sight lines which have an important bearing of setting maximum limits. 

The redevelopment plans include addressing its ability to handle the high volume of passengers more efficiently and safely, ensuring a better overall experience.

8. Paddington & Isambard Kingdom Brunel statue 

Central London boasts several statues honouring renowned engineers who have made significant contributions to their fields. One notable example is the statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel at Paddington Station. Brunel, a pioneering Victorian engineer, was instrumental in the creation of the Great Western Railway and numerous important bridges and tunnels across the UK. The life-size bronze statue, crafted by John Doubleday, was originally installed in 1982 and now stands prominently between Platforms 8 and 9.

Paddington Station was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the station鈥檚 extraordinary iron and glass roof was based on the Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Look for gastropod fossils in the limestone slabs of the concourse floor, and the bronze statue of Paddington Bear, who was named after the station. 

There鈥檚 also time for a sandwich Paddington Bear style and why not try out the Craft Christmas market in Merchant square. 

9. The Westway鈥� 

London’s most notorious urban motorway, constructed 1964鈥�70, used a pioneering technique where short concrete roadway sections were cast off-site, then fixed in place with tensioned longitudinal cables. The Westway was designed as an elevated motorway to minimise land use and avoid the complexities of tunnelling.

This decision was driven by cost considerations, as elevating the motorway was cheaper than sinking it below ground. Its impact on North Kensington was devastating, as hundreds of homes were demolished and neighbourhoods severed. It provoked furious protest and dystopian artworks, but new community spaces have also flourished in its shadow.  

10. Cumberland Turn Basin鈥� 

On the northeast corner of Regent’s Park, a floating Chinese restaurant resides. Right here, the canal takes a ninety-degree turn, heading towards Camden Town. However, until the 1930s, the canal didn’t veer away from here. Instead, a branch of it continued southward, all the way down to the basin of Cumberland Market.

The Cumberland Market Branch was constructed in the early 19th century to serve the Cumberland Market, which was a bustling hub for hay and straw trade. The branch ran parallel to Albany Street and ended in a basin near Euston Station. This area was heavily industrialised, with wharves and warehouses lining the basin. The market and the canal branch played a crucial role in the local economy, facilitating the transport of goods and materials. Over time, the canal branch fell into disuse and was eventually filled in during the 1940s, primarily using rubble from buildings damaged in the Blitz.

Today, the site of the former canal branch is part of the Regent’s Park Estate, with little visible evidence of its past. For a more detailed exploration of the Cumberland Basin and its history, you can read Zichun Feng’s journey 鈥淎long the Canal鈥�. 

11. Camden Lock and & Market  

Camden Lock and Market is situated on the site of the former Camden Goods Depot, a notable example of 19th-century transport infrastructure in England. This area saw the arrival of industrial transport with the completion of the Regent鈥檚 Canal in 1820 and the London and Birmingham Railway in the 1830s. The Camden Goods Depot was initially constructed as the London terminus for railway goods traffic. 

To extend the railway to Euston, engineers had to overcome a steep incline, necessitating the use of a winch to haul trains up to Chalk Farm. This system operated from 1837 to 1844, and the subterranean Stationary Winding Vaults, now Grade II* listed, are the remaining evidence of this feature. 

In the 1840s, the Roundhouse, also Grade II* listed, was built as a locomotive engine house. The Goods Depot was securely enclosed by a wall, often referred to as the 鈥楪reat Wall of Camden,鈥� parts of which still stand on Chalk Farm Road today. 

12. Somers Town Bridge鈥� 

This new pedestrian bridge connects two unique green spaces, the Camley Street Natural Park and Gasholder Gardens in King鈥檚 Cross. Camley Street Natural Park鈥痠s an urban nature reserve that offers a variety of habitats including wetlands, meadows, and woodlands. It provides a sanctuary for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for visitors. Gasholder Gardens鈥痠s a beautifully landscaped park set within the restored Victorian gasholder frames. It features a circular lawn and is a popular spot for relaxation and community events.

The bridge also provides views of the elaborate St Pancras Waterpoint, which once sat behind St Pancras Station, supplying water for steam trains. The bridge’s supports are designed to curve above the deck level. This innovative design not only adds an aesthetic appeal, but also ensures that the view beneath the bridge remains unobstructed for canal users. This clear view is crucial for maintaining the functionality and safety of the canal traffic.

Somers Town Bridge is designed with sustainability in mind, using materials and construction methods that minimise environmental impact. It also ensures accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities, by providing gentle slopes and non-slip surfaces.

And because a baker鈥檚 dozen is 13 and we all deserve a little extra cheer this festive season 鈥�

13. Kirkaldy鈥檚 Testing Works 

You know an industrial museum is going to be good when it says 鈥楩acts Not Opinions鈥� above the door. David Kirkaldy鈥檚 116-ton Universal Testing Machine performs as well today as it did in 1874, and it has one purpose: bending massive metal beams until they snap.  

Visitors can witness this incredible machine in action during demonstrations, offering a unique glimpse into the history and science of material testing. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in engineering, history, or simply the sheer power of industrial machinery. 

Commenting on the festive route Federico Cassani, partner and global transport and mobility lead at 海角视频, said: 鈥淓ngineering makes so many amazing things possible and we want people from all walks of life to get close and upfront with the magic unlocked by science, technology, engineering and maths. This initiative with Footways allows us to reiterate the importance of the oldest form of mobility and by creating these routes and maps you can get to see and learn more about amazing places both past and present whilst having a real adventure. What better way to enhance wellbeing within our cities.鈥�  

Emma Griffin, co-founder of Footways added: 鈥淲e have been actively looking to change the way algorithms want us to move around the city. What better way to do that than by actively embracing the oldest form of travel 鈥� walking 鈥� and discovering those wonders above and below our feet. These walking routes are designed to be quieter, with low traffic; hence more enjoyable. When you add walking to the start of your journey or the end of your journey, it becomes a journey in its own right. So let鈥檚 get exploring!鈥� 

These iconic landmarks forms part of the specially developed – the first map in the Footways & 海角视频 Great British Engineering Adventure. It鈥檚 18 miles in total, but you can walk the loop in sections. King鈥檚 Cross to London Bridge 鈥� 5.3 miles | London Bridge to Victoria 鈥� 3.5 miles | Victoria to Paddington 鈥� 3.6 miles | Paddington to King鈥檚 Cross 鈥� 5.2 miles. For the full route see .