London's Lost Rivers

Paul Talling

ISBN 10: 184794597X / ISBN 13: 9781847945976

Published by Cornerstone, GB, 2011

About this Item

Packed with surprising and fascinating information, London's Lost Rivers uncovers a very different side to London - showing how waterways shaped our principal city and exploring the legacy they leave today. With individual maps to show the course of each river and over 100 colour photographs, it's essential browsing for any Londoner and the perfect gift for anyone who loves exploring the past.'An amazing book' -- BBC Radio London'Talling's highly visual, fact-packed, waffle-free account is the freshest take we've yet seen. A must-buy for anyone who enjoys the "hidden" side of London -- Londonist'A fascinating and stylish guide to exploring the capital's forgotten brooks, waterways, canals and ditches . it's a terrific book' - Walk'Pocket-sized, beautifully designed, illustrated and informative - in short a joy to read, handle and use' -- ***** Reader review'Delightful, informative and beautifully produced' -- ***** Reader review'A small gem. A really great book. I can't put it down' -- ***** Reader review'Fascinating from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review************************************************************************************************From the sources of the Fleet in Hampstead's ponds to the mouth of the Effra in Vauxhall, via the meander of the Westbourne through 'Knight's Bridge' and the Tyburn's curve along Marylebone Lane, London's Lost Rivers unearths the hidden waterways that flow beneath the streets of the capital. Paul Talling investigates how these rivers shaped the city - forming borough boundaries and transport networks, fashionable spas and stagnant slums - and how they all eventually gave way to railways, roads and sewers. Armed with his camera, he traces their routes and reveals their often overlooked remains: riverside pubs on the Old Kent Road, healing wells in King's Cross, 'stink pipes' in Hammersmith and gurgling gutters on streets across the city. Packed with maps and over 100 colour photographs, London's Lost Rivers uncovers the watery history of the city's most famous sights, bringing to life the very different London that lies beneath our feet.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781847945976

Bibliographic Details

• Title: London's Lost Rivers
• Publisher: Cornerstone, GB
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184794597X
• ISBN 13: 9781847945976
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 282 grams

About this title

Synopsis

A beautifully illustrated guide to London's secret rivers

 

From the sources of the River Fleet in Hempstead's ponds, to the mouth of the Effra by Vauxhall Bridge, via the meander of the Westbourne through "Knight's Bridge" and the Tyburn's gentle curve along Marylebone Lane, London's Lost Rivers unearths the hidden waterways that flow beneath the streets of the capital. It investigates how the rivers shaped the city—forming borough boundaries, providing paths for railways to follow, and converted into canals to assist the capital's industrial growth, or turned into underground sewers to make way for smart residential estates. It points out traces that are still visible today, such as steps descending an old riverbank in Bayswater, or a river-filled pipe passing above Sloane Square Underground Station. And it explains the watery history to more familiar London sights—the impressive Holborn Viaduct, for example, constructed to span the Fleet Valley; and the Serpentine Lake, formed when Queen Caroline wanted to dam the Westbourne where it flowed through Hyde Park.

About the Author

Paul Talling has been exploring London's lost and abandoned landmarks for years. His previous book, Derelict London, was a photographic tour of the city's forgotten homes, businesses and cemeteries. Originally a music promoter in North London, he now lives south of the Thames.