Tower Beach, on the foreshore just below the Tower of London, was opened in July 1934 and was made by heaping fifteen hundred barge-loads of sand on to the banks of the river Thames between St.Katherine's Steps and the Tower.
It was the idea of The Tower Hill Improvement Trust and was intended for those who could not afford a seaside holiday - something that was considered a luxury for many of those who lived near to this part of the river.
Between 1934 and 1939 more than half a million people used the 'beach' for building sandcastles or relaxing in a deckchair and could paddle or swim in the 'sea'. It was even possible to rent a rowing boat. Although the beach was shut during World War II, it was reopened in the 1950's but closed permanently in 1971 when worries about both river pollution and safety became a concern.
Photos: HRP
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWhat fun these images are. We have never heard of Tower Beach before and have been most intrigued by your post. Indeed, for some time we lived very close to here, in Rotherhithe, and so it is all very familiar.
Pop up beaches seem to be all the rage at the moment. They do this in Budapest and, we believe in Paris. It is a good idea, we think as there are still people who cannot for whatever reason escape the city and this foes provide all the fun of the seaside!
How interesting that you lived nearby - Rotherhithe is just down the road!
DeletePop-up beaches have become very popular, as you say. It's a lovely idea to bring a little bit of the seaside to the city.
What a great idea, providing a beach near home for city dwellers.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I also think there should be more outdoor swimming and paddling pools. There are some 'lidos' left in London and they are really popular. Some people - who prefer something un-chlorinated - also swim in the Serpentine (lake) in London's Hyde Park.
DeleteI wondered about the pollution aspect of a beach alongside so heavily trafficked a river like that. Too bad because it looked like it was a lot of fun for a good many people while it lasted.
ReplyDeleteIt looked liked tremendous fun, didn't it. But river pollution and traffic on the river would be things I'd be a little concerned about as well!
DeleteWe were visiting London a couple of years ago and saw people on the beach at South Bank during the Thames Festival, but those 1930s photos look very much more realistic.
ReplyDeleteJo, I was walking along the river to the South Bank quite recently and they've created what looks like a large sand pit this year. Hugely popular with children, as you can imagine.
DeleteI agree with the comments above; so thoughtful. Where my parents live, had sand in the past but due primarily to the increase in mangroves, it is now mud!
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame about the river near to your parents. When the tide is low along the Thames it's a very popular place to go 'mudlarking'. People pick up all kinds of treasure!
DeleteI had no idea there was once a beach there. Fascinating, but it's hard to imagine a beach in London. There's a small town near me where each winter they "roll up" the beach and then move it back down for the summer. In the past it was always because of the winter rains. Now that we barely get any rain I'm thinking the town could save some cash and permanently mothball the tractors that move the sand.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem a bold idea doesn't it? Especially at that particular point on the river where there has always been a lot of traffic. Interesting that you have a 'roll-up' beach near to you - although by the sounds of things it could be a permanent fixture.
DeleteInteresting concept - are there any public swimming areas in London along the Thames now?
ReplyDeleteNot that I know of. There may be some places further up the river where people enjoy a dip. I know that 'wild' swimming is becoming more popular for those who want to try something unchlorinated. Also, there are some ponds - former clay pits - on Hampstead Heath in North London which are used for public swimming.
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DeleteI never knew that the beach had been in existence there.
ReplyDeleteIt seems remarkable that it existed - I agree. Makes me wonder if there was anything similar produced elsewhere in the country.
DeleteWhat a pity that pollution put paid to the wonderful idea of a river beach. It looked a happy place.
ReplyDeleteIt seems inspired to create such a thing and it must have been such a wonderful place to go to for a bit of seaside fun.
DeleteI was surprised to see a beach on the Thames. Yeah, I can understand why it closed. The rivers near me get heavy naval and commercial traffic, but people still get in the river for "fun." ECK!
ReplyDeleteWow - those people who swim in the rivers near you are intrepid! Maybe the water's just too inviting to resist in spite of all that traffic.
DeleteInteresting beach and interesting photo. It's too bad most rivers are too polluted to enjoy now.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert on river pollution but I'd be tempted to wear some kind of wetsuit if I were to go river swimming in this country. Not least because the water's probably freezing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would think the water there would be extremely cold. But it sure didn't seem to stop those waders.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Ladies of the Grove
That chilly water must have felt pretty refreshing!
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