The Embankment

The Thames Embankment consists of the Victoria and Chelsea Embankment and is one of the greatest marvels of engineering. The embankment was designed to reclaim marshy land next to the River Thames in central London. The Thames Embankment is made of granite and is over 3.5 km in length. The granite wall is about 2.5 meters thick, with foundations 5 meters to 9 meters below low-water mark. The aria reclaimed by the embankment is used for a roadway, footway and public gardens.

The area bellow the surface is used for low-level sewers, water and gas mains, telephone cables and Underground railway. The construction of the embankment began in 1864 and was completed in 1874. The embankment was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.

The embankment also has several stretches of gardens and open space commonly called the Embankment Gardens. There are many outdoor cafes and easily one of London's greatest appeals. These gardens are full of statue of Britain’s most famous citizens including one of Sir Joseph Baza.