5/5 Jnib 4 months ago on Google • 548 reviews
Excellent,
small
but
perfectly
formed
museum
detailing
Brunel's
achievement
in
building
the
first
tunnel
under
a
navigable
waterway
in
the
world.
The
museum
comprises
two
parts:
the
pumphouse
in
which
you'll
find
the
ticket
office,
shop,
displays
and
gallery
and
the
other
building
is
the
top
of
the
shaft
that
led
to
the
tunnels
under
the
Thames.
We
were
greeted
enthusiastically
by
the
person
selling
tickets.
She
explained
what
was
included
in
the
museum
and
advised
us
to
visit
the
top
of
the
tunnel
shaft
first
before
coming
back
to
see
the
displays
and
gallery.
The
top
of
the
shaft
is
just
a
few
steps
away
and
you
enter
through
a
doorway
that
has
been
cut
through
the
brickwork
that
forms
the
shaft.
The
wall
of
the
shaft
is
very
thick
and
the
brickwork
is
reinforced
with
chains
that
circle
the
shaft
and
are
set
into
the
brickwork
and
held
in
place
and
bonded
to
the
structure
with
mortar.
The
shaft
has
been
'capped'
a
few
meters
below
ground
level
and
you
reach
this
space
via
a
modern,
well
lit
staircase.
The
top
of
the
tunnel
was
covered
during
WW2
to
prevent
light
from
below
escaping
and
also
protect
the
shaft
and
tunnels
from
possible
bomb
damage.
There
was
a
guide
giving
an
explanation
of
what
you
see
around
you,
how
it
was
constructed
and
used
throughout
its
life.
This
was
followed
by
a
short
video
(projected
on
the
wall
of
the
shaft)
that
provided
a
little
more
information
about
the
site.
The
brick
construction,
location
of
the
original
steps
(that
were
used
to
access
the
tunnels
when
they
were
open
to
pedestrians)
and
the
soot
from
steam
trains
are
all
clearly
visible.
The
displays
in
the
ticket
office
building
provide
information
about
the
construction
and
challenges
that
were
encountered
and
overcome
by
Brunel.
The
tunnel's
use
has
changed
greatly
over
time
and
the
displays
show
how
the
tunnel
was
used
and
experienced
by
visitors,
business
and
railways
alike.
The
ticket
office
area
sells
some
really
nice
items
all
of
which
relate
to
Brunel
and
the
tunnel,
from
books,
posters
and
greeting
cards
to
London
Brick
vases,
scarves
and
activity
books
for
children
plus
a
lot
more.
The
museum
is
probably
good
for
a
30
to
45
minute
visit
if
you
really
make
the
most
of
it.
For
young
visitors
it
will
be
interesting
for
a
much
shorter
time.
Make
the
museum
the
turn
around
point
when
walking
the
Riverside
path
along
the
Southbank.
There
are
a
couple
of
pubs
(The
Mayflower
and
also
The
Angel)
just
a
short
distance
away
along
the
Riverside
path
(towards
town)
and
they
both
serve
food.
Combining
a
walk
to
the
Brunel
museum
with
lunch
or
dinner
in
the
area
would
make
an
enjoyable
outing
that
offers
some
perfect
views
of
the
river
looking
back
towards
the
city.
Given
the
small
size
of
the
museum,
we
won't
be
returning
very
soon,
but
as
part
of
a
day
long
walk
of
the
south
bank
next
summer,
we'll
definitely
visit
again.
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