I have sketched the Rotherhithe Tunnel Ventilation Shaft on the North Bank of the Thames. So I went on an expedition to sketch its sister shaft on the South side. Here it is.
Here’s a map showing the river downstream of Tower Bridge, and the location of these structures. Click to enlarge.
(c) OpenStreetMapcontributors
You can see one shaft from the other. Here’s a picture looking North across the Thames, just before I started the sketch. The light wasn’t great, but you can still see both shafts 2 and 3. See how wide the river is at this point! The distance between the two shafts is around 1500ft (500 metres).
Here’s a photo from closer:
Shaft 2 is hidden behind high orange fences as you see. On the inland side it is behind a residential building at 157 Rotherhithe Street.
The Rotherhithe tunnel has 4 shafts. Shafts 2 and 3 are the round shapes and resemble each other. Both are Grade II listed.
Shafts 1 and 4 have been modernised.
My next expedition will be to sketch the entrances to the tunnel.
Watercolours by Daniel Smith :
– Burnt Umber
– Serpentine Genuine
– Phthalo Blue Turquoise
– Transparent Pyrrol Orange
– Mars Yellow
– Fired Gold Ochre
Jane Sketching 
Fabulous! It’s probably been about 30 years since I drove through the Rotherhithe Tunnel. It’s very gloomy compared to modern tunnels. I used to live in south east London so we were much more likely to use it.
I love travel palettes and was eyeing your brass palette…oooo my. So lovely. 😊
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Yes the Rotherhithe Tunnel is very grim. I’ve driven through it just the once. That was enough.
My brass palette is indeed a thing of beauty and truly functional. It has heft and weight and stays where it’s put. It was made by David Cooper of Classic Paintboxes. Read about it on my blog here.
All good wishes and many thanks for your comments.
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Jane, I’ve been to London many times and thought I knew the city pretty well but your sketches and narratives always make me wish I could walk the streets there with you, and notice what you notice and record.
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