Shoreline

Victoria Tower Gardens foreshore both sandy and stony.

Depending on the movement and strength of tides, phases of the moon, and the weather, the shoreline below Victoria Tower Gardens is in constant evolution.

Bricks, stones and shells arranged on the beach in ordered lines by an ebbing tide.

The beach is flooded with each tide but once the water has ebbed sufficiently, a small, pristine, sandy section of the foreshore is revealed. The rest is covered in empty shells, stones of various sizes, bricks and other remains of the warehouses and jetties that stood until the gradual creation of what is now Victoria Tower Gardens at the end of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth century. The pattern of the heavier elements changes frequently and the rubble on the beach can be an apparent jumble or appear to be ordered in lines.

Beach with elements in chaos, and a resting place in sunshine for black-headed gulls.

Sadly, at times there is also a certain amount of rubbish, though nothing on the scale of the notorious wet wipe *island* near Barnes.

Detached chains, perhaps used for mooring, or as grab chains, revealed by a low spring tide.
Structure exposed by a very low tide on December 18, 2024.

For the first time, I saw a curious structure revealed by the very low tide on December 18, 2024, whose purpose is a mystery.

A weight of one of the Palace of Westminster markers exposed and lying on the beach during the very low tide on December 18, 2024.

Flood Forecaster, Alan, told me that this exceptionally low tide was caused by “a low pressure to the north of Scotland that as it moved further north, dragged the water away from us and so created a large negative surge of nearly 1m at low tide at Southend and around 0.7m at Tower Pier.” December 18th last year was the lowest tide I have seen.

A mudlark, eyes peeled, walks along the shore’s edge.

The mudlarks who come to the Victoria Tower Gardens’ foreshore have sharp eyes and the experience, to spot fragments and artefacts exposed or brought in by the latest tide and, according to the rules of their Port of London Authority permits, they must report all finds of 300 years old or more to the London Museum.

Pigeons finding food on the tideline.

Each wave brings more food for the pigeons, crows, and gulls, that line up to peck at the foreshore whenever the beach is exposed.

Immature gull foraging for a meal on the foreshore.
Kayakers enjoying a picnic last Summer.

Kayakers often pass by briefly on their regular trips but last summer a group made a meal of it, enjoying their picnic on a warm, sunny day.

Taking advantage of a low tide, children make a castle.

Five years ago I spotted this team of castle builders working on the foreshore. A nearby parent was keeping a close eye both on them and the approaching tide, hopefully they returned home unscathed.

Clearer waters during Covid.

As the country went into lockdown in April 2020, almost all river traffic ceased. On twenty-four hour duty as always, were Police launches, Fire Safety boats, Port of London vessels, and the RNLI, either on patrol or responding when needed. The operation of Cory tugs towing their waste barges out of London carried on as normal right from the outset but for a short while all other river traffic ceased, which meant that in this early period less mud was stirred from the river bed than usual and you could see further into the water.

Unusually clear water at the base of Lambeth Bridge during the first Covid lockdown.
Dogs enjoying a walk on the foreshore.

At any time, including during the Covid lockdowns, dogs are occasionally taken for walks on the beach.

A time of reflection among the stones by the river.

End Notes
Port of London tidal information
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Looking back at 2024

Mixed in with difficult moments, were some good times too, specially when walking by the River Thames. Below, you’ll see two pictures chosen from each month…

January

Demonstration by Save British Family Farms January 22, Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster.

This was one of a number of peaceful demonstrations and cultural events took place in Victoria Tower Gardens during 2024.

Londom Fire Brigade rescue boat TANNER on patrol.

Based at Lambeth River Fire Station by Lambeth Bridge, London Fire Brigade’s two fire rescue vessels ERRINGTON and TANNER can often be seen patrolling the river, or speeding to an emergency.

February

One of Westminster Bridge’s beautiful lamps designed by Charles Barry. Together with Augustus Pugin, he was the architect who resigned the Palace of Westminster after the disastrous fire of 1834.
Boudicca and her daughters, sculpted by Thomas Thornycroft, erected on the North Bank of the Thames in June, 1902.

Standing by Westminster Pier opposite the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this powerful statue of Boudicca took fifty years to complete.

March

The Palace of Westminster from below the Golden Jubilee Bridges.
Directly opposite the Houses of Parliament this is The National Covid Memorial Wall with hearts representing the thousands who died.

The National Covid Memorial Wall is maintained, with its thousands of hearts kept freshly painted, by a group of bereaved volunteers known as ‘The Friends of the Wall’. Walking along the South Bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge, almost to Lambeth Bridge, you can feel the acute sense of personal loss of life caused by Covid-19.

April

Westminster Abbey through the trees of Victoria Tower Gardens.
Seen from Lambeth Bridge, M.V. CONNAUGHT is surely the most elegant sightseeing boat on the River Thames.

It’s always good to see M.V CONNAUGHT at the start of the season. She is “a beautiful example of an Edwardian River cruiser” and she has been cruising between Westminster and Hampton Court for over hundred years.

May

Sailing Barge WILL passing beneath Tower Bridge.

S.B. Will is a classic Thames Sailing Barge, launched in 1925, making this year her 100th Anniversary. See her history here.

Tower RNLI lifeboat HEARN MEDICINE CHEST.

As many of you will know, there are four RNLI Lifeboat Stations along the tidal Thames: Gravesend, Tower, Chiswick and Teddington. They ensure twenty-four hour cover every day of the year.

June

View from the South Bank, along Westminster Bridge to the Elizabeth Tower, known widely by the name of its clock bell: Big Ben.

Getting a picture without the many visitors who like to be photographed with London’s famous landmark in the background, was a stroke of luck one lunchtime.

M.V. HOLLYWOOD approaching Westminster Bridge.

My first trip to Greenwich was with M.V. HOLLYWOOD, so I feel a special affection for her.

July

The “Yellow Deck Chair”.

I have been watching this yellow deck chair for a while from both banks of the river but never seen anyone sitting in it. It moves around mysteriously, facing different directions, and occasionally lying on its side. Pictures I’ve posted on social media have aroused a little curiosity…

The TAMESIS DOCK Bar.

At her fixed mooring, just upstream from the Lambeth River Fire Station, the TAMESIS Dock adds colour to the landscape in all weathers. She is a converted 1930s Dutch barge.

August

Hoping to steal a kiss…

The Victoria Tower Gardens’ pigeons have a good mixed diet, pecking at crumbs left by visitors and foraging on the foreshore when tides permit.

RNLI lifeboat ‘AMiTy’ passing the Globe Theatre on her way to the Tower Lifeboat Station by Waterloo Bridge.

Retired 1960’s Lifeboat ‘AMiTy’ undertook a 650 mile fundraising voyage from her mooring in Fareham, Portsmouth Harbour, along England’s south east coast to London, where I saw her on August 31st.

September

The YARMOUTH BELLE, carrying supporters and spectators of the Great River Race, September 21st.

Originally built in 1892, the YARMOUTH BELLE, a listed Historic Ship, began life as a passenger steamer used mainly on the River Yare between Yarmouth and Norwich. In 1946 she came to the River Thames, and after service with several companies, was eventually sold to Turk Launches in 1988 where she underwent major rebuilding and restoration. See her National Historic Ships UK profile here.

View across the Thames to Westminster Bridge from the garden of St. Mary-at-Lambeth Church.

October

Lion *drinking* at high tide on October 19.

There was a particularly high tide on October 19th and it was interesting to see that the lions on the rings by Lambeth Bridge, were definitely *drinking*. The saying goes:
“When the lions drink, London will sink”. Other versions of the same idea progress to: “If water’s up to their manes, we’ll be going down drains”; and finally, “If the lions are ducked, then London is f…..”

London Eye pods against a dark sky, October 16.

November

Two of the demonstrators on the March for Clean Water, November 3rd.
Crow.

December

Looking through an archway to Dean’s Yard and Westminster Abbey beyond.
Lambeth Bridge, one of Central London’s nine Illuminated Bridges.

The Illuminated River art installation has added something magical to the night-time River Thames. Its subtle colouring and gentle changes of light, reflect and enhance the infinite movement of the water below.

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Thank you for joining me. Wishing you all the best possible year in 2025 with good health, happiness, and success in all your undertakings.