The Thames Barrier — Local services in London

Startling and interesting appearance for something so functional. Ingenious design to protect the city and more central parts of London from flooding when there are exceptional (for now) high tides and strong winds from the east. The Thames path that runs East/West here is worth exploring especially the section that passes through a tunnel at the barrier. The wall of the tunnel has a graphic cast in concrete that shows the route of the Thames according to its height above mean sea level. When you consider the height of the flood defences at the barrier and the level of the Thames in the city, it doesn't take too much thinking to realise that a small rise in sea level poses a serious threat to so much of our country's heritage. Well worth a visit and also worth giving some thought to what happens when the barrier...

The Barrier is operated once a month for maintenance and test purposes. Details of the next planned closures are listed below.

Please note these times may change as a result of a particular experiment or test that engineers need to carry out or because of the weather. The closure and reopening of the gates may start up to an hour before the listed times. Occasionally closures may be cancelled at short notice due to the Thames Barrier being closed in that month for flood defence purposes or navigational reasons. If you plan to come and watch a test closure, please call us the day before to check it is going ahead.

9 February 2023 Thursday 09:00am to 11:30am

13 March 2023 Monday 09:50am to 12:20pm

11 April 2023 Tuesday ...

I visited here by bus to check it out with view to bring nursery aged children. It will be great. Get off the bus and meander through some landscaped gardens. Then up some steps and wow! There it is! We can marvel and take photos and see the O2 and Shard on the London skyline. We can do a little walk through the tunnel under the barrier. There is a lovely grassed area with lots of picnic benches, a climbing frame and slide where we can have a snack. The all important toilets are behind the cafe and along a walkway and down some steps. They were clean. I would not take the children into the visitor centre as it would not be appropriate for them. The bus trip, seeing the Thames Barrier up close, the amazing views and a mini picnic in the play area will be just right!...