thumb|A sketch map of some lost rivers

thumb|"London Before the Houses", map of pre-urban London from 1884

thumb|The position of a mouth of the [[River Effra|Effra in the 13th century]]

The subterranean or underground rivers of London are or were the direct or indirect tributaries of the upper estuary of the Thames (the Tideway) that were built over during the growth of the metropolis of London. They now flow through culverts, with some of them integral parts of London's sewerage system and diverted accordingly.

North of the Thames

From west to east – sub-tributaries are shown indented

  • River Brent (partially underground)
  • Stamford Brook
  • Parrs Ditch
  • Counter's Creek
  • River Westbourne
  • Tyburn Brook
  • River Tyburn
  • River Fleet, (following Farringdon Street, New Bridge Street and other roads).
  • Lamb's Conduit
  • Fagswell Brook (Follows the course of Charterhouse Street)
  • River Walbrook
  • Lorteburn or Langbourne (now dry)
  • Brook at Nightingale Lane
  • Black Ditch
  • Muswell Stream (sub-sub-tributary via Pymmes Brook and the River Lea)
  • River Moselle

Development

In June 2008, the office of Mayor of London published outline plans to reinstate some underground rivers. In January 2009, a partnership among the Environment Agency, Natural England, The River Restoration Centre, and the Greater London Authority set out a strategy for putting this into effect by creating the London Rivers Action Plan.

See also

thumb|upright|The [[River Moselle (London)|Moselle on the surface flows through Tottenham Cemetery on its way to the Lea]]

  • Blue Ribbon Network—the major waterways of London
  • List of rivers of England
  • Subterranean London
  • Subterranean river
  • Tributaries of the River Thames

References

Further reading

  • Strange Maps – London's Lost Rivers