The Tower of London's Forgotten Beach

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For several decades in the 20th century, it was possible to visit a long sandy beach on the river Thames- and it was right outside the Tower of London.
In this video, we'll be looking at the history behind this fascinating aspect of lost London, along with several more of the capital's hidden corners...
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Chapters in this video:
00:00 Intro
01:02 The District Line to Southend-on-Sea
01:27 The Royal Borough of Greenwich
01:55 Bermondsey Beach
02:44 Reverend Tubby Clayton
03:48 Improving Tower Hill
05:27 Tower Beach in the 1930s
09:32 Tower Beach after WWII
10:33 Tower Beach today
10:58 All-Hallows-by-the-Tower
11:43 Outro
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Thank you so much to all of you who support robslondon with your kind comments, likes and shares- all of which really do help the channel to grow.
If you're in an extra generous mood, you can support my work by leaving a small tip either via either the RU-vid 'Thanks' button (which appears as a heart icon below the video) or on my Kofi account:
ko-fi.com/robslondon
Any donations are of course greatly appreciated, and they really do go help towards creating content.
If you haven't yet subscribed to my channel it would be wonderful if you could please consider doing so as this, along with ringing the bell icon to receive notifications, will ensure that you don't miss out whenever I publish a new video- plus of course it would be great to have you here!
Other links:
My online Etsy store- robsonlinedesigns, for London-themed merchandise:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/robsonli...
My website:
robslondon.com/
Twitter:
/ cabmirror
Instagram:
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If you fancy visiting Bermondsey Beach, please do be sure to check the tide times of the Thames before you. You can do that here:
tidepredictions.pla.co.uk/
Occasional walking tours of Tower Beach can be found here:
www.thamesdiscovery.org
Visit the Tower of London:
www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-londo...
Visit All-Hallows-by-the-Tower:
www.ahbtt.org.uk/
Thanks for watching, friends. Stay well and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Credits:
Music:
'I do like to be beside the seaside' (John H. Glover-Kind, Public Domain):
freemusicarchive.org/music/Jo...
No. 9 Esther's Waltz (Esther Abrami)
Dark Hallway (Kevin MacLeod)
We are the Rain (Aakash Gandhi)
Barnyard Medley (Will Osborne & His Orchestra)
Malt Shop Bop (Kevin MacLeod, Creative Commons)
Malt Shop Bop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Okey Dokey Smokey:
Okey Dokey Smokey by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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Artist: audionautix.com/

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Опубликовано:

18 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 336

@Pierlover Год назад

Nobody would believe me when I told them that as a kid in the 1950's I went paddling in the Thames on a beach beneath Tower Bridge. I remember the water was very dirty and you could smell the river from a couple of streets away!

@Robslondon Год назад

🤣 Thanks Douglas, very evocative memory!

@davidwebb4904 Год назад

Nobody believes me when I tell them I had a great "beach" vacation in Kyiv in June. But it was for real also.

@Dave.Thatcher1 Год назад

Ditto.

@Pierlover Год назад

@@HavNCDy Coogee is better

@julianshepherd2038 Год назад

Lot cleaner now.

@margaretoconnor3687 Год назад

I am 84 and was born and brought up in Bethnal Green. My friends and I spent many days on Tower beach in the school summer holidays. It cost,I think,an old penny to get into the Tower with access to the beach. I remember swimming in the Thames ,the water was a murky brown and smelled rather nasty. It didn't put us off and so far as I remember none of us suffered any ill effects. A big treat was when Tower Bridge opened to let ships into the Pool of London. So glad to see this video, it brought back so many memories and proved me right to all the doubters who I know thought that I was imagining the beach.

@Robslondon Год назад

Margaret, this is by far one of my most favourite comments. Thank you so much for sharing your account of Tower Beach; it’s truly evocative. Stay well and again, thank you.

@margaretoconnor3687 Год назад

@@Robslondon my thanks to you for such well researched accounts of the London I love.

@Territet Год назад

Yes, I have one clear picture in my memory of going to the beach, probably in1948. I would have been about 4 years old. I annoyed my mother by running back into the water fully clothed. Isn't it strange how we remember small things like that? On the same day we went past a factory close to Tower Bridge. We could see, through the window, a wonderful machine bottling beer. I was always fascinated by machines, even at that age - and I still am!

@Robslondon Год назад

That’s fantastic 😊 Thanks so much for sharing your memories. Stay well.

@bob_the_bomb4508 Год назад

As a kid in an East End school I remember being taken to the remnants of that ‘beach’ below Tower Hill in the late 1960’s on a day school trip. The sand below the high water mark was a dirty, smelly, slimy grey green/grey. Also memorable for the cans of room temperature Coke that were included in our packed lunch, for which we needed a bottle/can opener… ETA…you can see the beach in the 1970 film ‘Battle of Britain’, with a couple of cockney kids arguing whether the approaching German bombers are Heinkels or Messerschmidts…

@Robslondon Год назад

Great - and very revealing- memory Bob! Thanks for sharing 😉

@bob_the_bomb4508 Год назад

@@Robslondon revealing indeed…one of the girls in our group dropped her towel by mistake :)

@johnbacon1854 Год назад

Wow, what an amazing video..... even including the links to the tide checker. My home town got a mention too, Southend. I was born the year Tubby died. My Dad would often tell me just how bad the polution was and if you went swimming you were often having to push sanitary towels and poop out of the way. Pretty nasty. As much as having a beach back there seems a good idea, sadly many places like that including the parks are often left so dirty after useage, it would cause a lot of waste going inthe Thames again. Hallows church is lovely. I would walk through that square a lot to catch a bus to Kings Cross. I remember one very early moring it had started to snow as I left Southend, and arriving at Fenchurch Street about an hour later almost an inch of fresh snow lay all around the church with a gentle flurry still coming down. I took some photos of the Church with the dark sky behind and the soft snow all around. It looked so peacefull and would of made a good Xmas picture. I now work in Greenwich, in an office 1 minute from the River. So nice to sit out there on one of these hot days as the water flows past. Come winter though, it is very cold. All the best Rob, until next time stay safe and best wishes to you and family.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much John, what a fantastic comment, and incredible memories. We’re all well thanks, hope you are too. Stay well my friend and thanks again 😊

@patricksullivan2261 Год назад

I had no idea there was a public beach in London. What a fascinating bit of history. Sadly, I can see why it eventually closed, the first thing that popped into my head when the video started was "Oh dear, the Thames was basically an open sewer at times." It is always great to hear about people like "Tubby" Clayton. Many figures who had a big impact on their area of London are lost to history today. I like finding out about them through your videos. Another excellent video sir. You are on quite a roll.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Patrick, that means a lot to me. Stay well my friend.

@rgs6236 Год назад

In Greenwich there are a few public beaches which I go to whenever I’m in Greenwich which is often. Nobody gos into the water though because of safety

@macey74 Год назад

There’s a proper sandy beach in Rotherhithe, facing Canary Wharf, which I discovered in lockdown. It’s public but not many people know it’s there.

@Robslondon Год назад

@@macey74 That's interesting, I'll have to check it out ;-)

@cmw3737 Год назад

What about the popular section of sandy Thames Beach right next to the OXO tower or Bankside Beach next to Blackfriars? Or the long stretch at Wapping?

@PaulMcCaffreyfmac Год назад

Apart from the sight of Traitor's Gate, which automatically makes me think of our current government, and the modern photos of the Tower which highlight how London's skyline has changed dramatically, this is an absolute tour-de-force of archive material from the Sunderland flying boat to the Yeoman Warder making a bt of a mess of a sand castle and Tubby Clayton's very own 'Greyfriars Bobby'. I had been to visit the Tower by the mid '60s but had no dea that a place such as this existed. Fantastic! Thanks yet again Rob.

@Robslondon Год назад

Great comment Paul, thanks- and yes, lovely reference to Greyfriars Bobby 😊 Stay well.

@markshrimpton3138 Год назад

Tubby Clayton was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to serving God, his parishioners and country. Along with the Rev Neville Clayton he founded Toc H. An organisation that although it’s less widely known today is still on the go. Another highly interesting video Rob. Thank you.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Mark, and yes much agreed- Tubby Clayton was a very decent soul. Stay well

@chrischibnall593 Год назад

Its memory is now "as dim as a Toc H lamp"

@jamieb0nd Год назад

My brother and sister used to live in Toch H trinity Square early 80s

@srfurley Месяц назад

Haven’t heard anything of Toc-H for years. Used to occasionally see the ‘lamp’ signs.

@FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff 2 дня назад

I would love to see a multi-episode series of all the ghost stations that are still visible in London. You've touched on so many already but plenty more I'd like to know about 😃

@Robslondon 2 дня назад

I have considered it… stay tuned 😉

@johnallen7807 9 дней назад

A fascinating video, worth mentioning Tubby Clayton was awarded the MC during WW1, a remarkable man.

@Robslondon 8 дней назад

Thank you. Yes, he was a good soul.

@johnallen7807 8 дней назад

@@Robslondon And couldn't the country do with more like him now!

@littledavevader Год назад

Fantastic video!! Showed this to my Dad who was a member of Toc H and met Tubby many times and always speaks about how he was a brilliant man. When i was about 3 years old my family and other members of the local Toc H branch took a trip to Belgium and we stayed at Talbot House.

@Robslondon Год назад

A lovely comment, thank you so much- made my evening 🙂Please send my regards to your Dad. Stay well.

@littledavevader Год назад

@Robslondon thank you, Rob. we'll be looking forward to your next video 🙂

@clivefelgate9802 Год назад

Hi Rob, as usual a great stroll down memory lane. My father was an east end lad and often spoke about the ‘beach’ as the place he learn to swim! He went on to qualify as a lifeguard at a local pool before the war. His memories were very vivid so to see the old news reels were like hearing my fathers voice. Keep safe and well. C.

@Robslondon Год назад

Cheers Clive- and wow! He must’ve been a strong swimmer! Stay well 😉

@QueenBee-gx4rp Год назад

I’m a new subscriber from New London (in Connecticut) in New England, US! I really enjoy your posts: always interesting and well done. You also have an engaging way of speaking-very melodic. My family came here from Yorkshire, where they were wool carders, at the start of the 1900’s, so I’m interested in British history. Thanks for all your efforts, Jane.

@Robslondon Год назад

@@QueenBee-gx4rp Jane, thank you so much for your comment and kind words- they mean a lot to me, and it's lovely to have you here 🙂Thanks again and stay well.

@roberttaylor6295 2 месяца назад

Worrying that I could become the pub bore by my regular comments and risk loosing both a pleasurable escape and friendship, I had a day off to continue my philosophy course. But I needed a break and watched this novel beach story and Tubby' interesting career. Thanks. Great as usual. Rob 🙂

@Robslondon 2 месяца назад

Comment all you like Rob; always a pleasure to hear from you ;-) Stay well.

@johnbarnes888 Год назад

This was great. I love those stories about overlooked people who made a positive impact such as Tubby and his slice of tranquility in the big smoke.

@Robslondon Год назад

Lovely comment Dave, thanks

@johnsharp8632 Год назад

Fascinating video Rob as always. We could do with a few more Tubby Clayton's in this selfish age. I remember the beach being open to the public, as it was only about 7 miles from where I lived. However I never visited. I used to often cross the Thames on the Woolwich Free Ferry which is 6 or 7 miles downstream. In those days the ferries were paddle steamers and as they got moving and the paddles stirred up the river, the stench was awful. Those kids were paddling in that, but they were tougher then.

@Robslondon Год назад

Lovely memory John, thanks for sharing!

@Slycockney Год назад

Brilliant video Rob, thank you. Being a Londoner myself I have to embarrassingly admit that I hadn't heard of Tower beach.

@Robslondon Год назад

Many thanks! And don't worry, it's not so well known about nowadays ;-) Cheers and stay well.

@martharunstheworld Год назад

What a wonderful story from history! Thanks Rob!

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Martha 😊

@stevev3664 Год назад

My parents used to take me to the beach at the Tower of London when I was a child in the 50s. Thanks for the video.

@Robslondon Год назад

Hope this brought back good memories for you Steve. Stay well.

@brianartillery Год назад

Lovely video. Thank you! I remember my late mother telling me about the beach. She remembered seeing it, but, as her mum was rather posh, I doubt that she ever visited it. I'm surprised that some of it still remains - I'd have thought it would have been washed away by the Thames years ago.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Brian, lovely comment 😊 And yes, I’m surprised there’s that much left too. Cheers and stay well.

@clivebennett8103 Год назад

Excellent video. Went there once on a Sunday afternoon when I was 6 or 7, so about 1961/2. My mum wouldn't let me go into the river, although I remember thinking, even at that age, that there was no way I was setting foot in that water. We went past it hundreds of times, but only went down to the sand once. A few people I've told about the beach said I was making it up 🙂!

@Robslondon Год назад

Ha ha! Cheers Clive, enjoyed reading that 😉

@kougerat5388 Год назад

Superb ! Now I'm going to ask my mum if she remembers this about the Tower of London she was born in 1935. I have never heard of it !

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much! Hope she remembers it 😉

@trevorelliston1 Год назад

I visited that beach in the early to mid 60’s, just the once while on a trip to London to attend a hospital appointment for my sister.

@barrywa39 Год назад

Once again Rob, a brilliant video, and research. Nice to see that George commented on Twitter, and I shared the link to the video on a London group on FB, and an 86 year lady commented.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Barry- yes, I saw that- lovely stuff :-)

@thewrecker3140 Год назад

Barry who is George?

@barrywa39 Год назад

@@thewrecker3140 George Skeggs, an artist who is well known as SohoGeorge.

@tonyhogwood4737 Год назад

I was born in Shadwell which is just down the Highway where our flats where we lived were from the Tower, I remember my Mum and Dad taking me to the beach at weekends with my best mates (if the tide was out) in the 1950’s. I remember that the river really smelt bad, not of sewage but a sharp chemical smell which must have come from the various factories along the Thames. We were told that the stairs down to the beach was from a gangway from an old ocean liner? Great video.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much for the kind words Tony; and also for sharing your memories- fascinating. Stay well.

@frogstomper9830 Год назад

As a child ,the cannons facing out over the beach and the beach were my regular Sunday playground, along with tower bridge. Standing on the middle of the bridge one foot either side of the join as heavy lorry and busses went over making your legs wobble was great fun.

@Robslondon Год назад

😊

@outdooradventures8773 Год назад

Fantastic video ! MORE

@Robslondon Год назад

😁 Thanks so much! And more are certainly coming 😉 Thanks again and stay well

@rodericfindlay4147 Год назад

Thank you. A most interesting and well-presented talk. Much appreciated.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Roderic :-) Stay well.

@paulmerryman Год назад

Very hard to believe that the shoreline once held a beach. After seeing the Thames, I'm not sure I'd fancy a dip in there either. Great video Rob.

@Robslondon Год назад

Cheers Paul! And you’re not alone in that sentiment 😉

@Beejay950 Год назад

Dad would take me to the beach on Sunday's during the summer in the late 50's. Thanks for the memories.

@Robslondon Год назад

It’s a pleasure Bobby, thanks for watching

@roncollins9222 Год назад

Hi Rob, yes been there in the 50's it wasn't always possible to get a warm dry day and the tide going out, haha... But the old captured Cannon were mounted on the walkway in front of the Tower great fun climbing all over them...!

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Ron! Yes, I read about the cannons 😊 Stay well

@beatledavetherecordcollector Год назад

Fab video, never knew about this forgotten london beach, always like your videos and learn something from them, cheers, Dave

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Beatle Dave, much appreciated ;-) Stay well.

@mikereilly5005 Год назад

Hi Rob I've always known about the beach, but never knew of how it came to be. A fascinating story Thank you Mike

@Robslondon Год назад

It’s a pleasure Mike, thanks and stay well

@adscri Год назад

As a kid from Islington the 50’s, as a Sunday morning outing, my uncle often take my cousins and I to the embankment - usually to the remains of the Festival of Britain site by Festival Hall, sometimes to the Tower area, but never ever did we venture onto the beach. Probably no need, as a few times each summer we’d take a family excursion train trip to Southend. (My dad would check the paper to see the time of high tide at Tower Pier, and would work out if the tide would be in or out at Southend - not wanting a day of mud). I only discovered to my surprise that there was a Tower beach when on a Sunday school outing in 1961, after a Thames boat ride. Can’t recall what our rag tag group of ten or so 11 year olds did once there though. Thanks for the memory - excellent video.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much adscri; really enjoyed reading your comment. Lovely memories. Thanks and stay well.

@23Daves Год назад

I have a weird 1970s childhood memory of this one. My mum (pointing): "We used to use that beach" Me: "Fantastic! Can we use it now then, Mum?" Mum (firmly): "No you Can-NOT! It's filthy!" Hadn't thought about it until this video was recommended to me today. It felt mindblowing to me that there was a beach in London (we used to travel to Southend or Clacton for that sort of thing) and nobody was using it.

@Robslondon Год назад

Brilliant comment and memory David 😉

@asheland_numismatics Год назад

These documentaries really are top class! 👍

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you asheland :-) Much appreciated as always my friend.

@asheland_numismatics Год назад

@@Robslondon you’re very welcome!

@melissalambert7615 4 месяца назад

What a great idea. A local beach. Hope they get to re-open someday.

@KENNYPAUL2 Год назад

I ‘walked’ on the Thames a few years back at low tide near the globe theatre. There was a fair bit of sand there too

@solentbum Год назад

I just remember Mum taking me to this beach when I was about four, 1952. We lived just off Old Street, to get to the beach we passed acres of bombsites in the City. So much has now changed.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Barry, stay well.

@73driver10135 Год назад

I can remember going there in the 1950 s now I am 75

@sharonleong7120 Год назад

Another great and interesting video as always. I enjoyed watching it and loved it too. Thanks. Robert.👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you Sharon 🙂 Hope you're keeping well.

@scottlewisparsons9551 Год назад

Thank you for another very interesting and enjoyable video. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Scott; it's a pleasure as always. Stay well.

@jeffreykrajchan6995 Год назад

I remember as a kid I went to tower beach a few times, thanks for the memories

@Robslondon Год назад

It’s a pleasure Jeffrey, thanks so much. Stay well.

@Victoria-wz9ub Год назад

Absolutely fascinating 👏

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you Victoria :-)

@trudyrogers789 Год назад

Yes this was informative. Thank you.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you Trudy :-)

@dkirk5814 Год назад

Very interesting. I've never heard of the beach before.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you 😊

@CorvoFG Год назад

I’d have to be forced into the Thames at gunpoint myself! It smells a bit lately and it’s not that appealing on the best of days, at least in central London. I’m sure it looks a lot nicer in Henley & Kew. Another educational romp there, Rob. Always a pleasure.

@Robslondon Год назад

😂 Much agreed! Thanks

@RootlessNZ Год назад

Thank you for uploading this little gem of a video. I was born in Mile End in 1946 and it brings back sweet memories for me of summer days when I was 5 or 6 when my mum took me to play on the beach. Of course I loved it and the pollution did not bother me at all. It was always a great escape from the East End slum in which I grew up. And best of all it was free.

@Robslondon Год назад

Bless you Pedaller, thank you for such a lovely comment 😊 Stay well

@richardbrayshaw570 Год назад

Very nice and informative, as always. I've got Netflix, Amazon and Sky, but there's always time for a RobsLondon RU-vid video. That Thames water must have been pretty grim at times, but probably no worse than what's happening on our seaside beaches at the moment!

@Robslondon Год назад

That means a lot to me Richard; thanks so much for the kind words :-) And yes, much agreed about the current state of certain beaches! Thanks again and stay well.

@matthewmckever2312 8 месяцев назад

I used to swim in Barking creek in the late 70s often the water was a ruddy, rust orange colour. I lived on the Gascoigne in Crisp hse and it was all bomb damage waste ground right up to the water . It was polluted, but when your a kid you dont care. We made whole road systems to push cars through, in ally dirt. All our clothes were hand downs, and I got hosed down at my grans, playing in the stables at the Spotted dog public house. Kids make do where ever they are. I swim at Hampstead heath now ( not this non summer) or sit out at Greenwich (nice shout) It's easy to not stray from Dalston but vids like this remind me to jump on a bus. Ta MM

@Robslondon 8 месяцев назад

Thanks ;-)

@pinkmarshmallow2023 12 дней назад

This was really interesting. Thanks ☺️

@Robslondon 12 дней назад

It’s a pleasure, thanks for watching!

@christopherbutler7588 Год назад

My friend now is not with us anymore Harry Brown from Stepney Play there as a young kid. And sometimes people would Chuck penny's at a children playing down there on the sand he said you could good some sweet with pennys which was a treat in the 1930s. Has they had very little money. When Harry got older he went to work in the London bell foundry. Thanks for the video..

@Robslondon Год назад

Nice comment Christopher, thanks for sharing.

@suzatlarge Год назад

Thanks for this superb video. I've added this to my list for my next trip to London.

@Robslondon Год назад

It’s a pleasure Suzatlarge 😊 Thanks and stay well

@debschmitt761 Год назад

Fascinating video, love reading the comments of those that remember it. Nice job Rob

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Deb, I enjoy them too 😊

@jonnawyatt Год назад

Tubby Clayton must have been a really decent person. I love that Chippy was included. Subbing now.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Jonna, good to have you here! And yes, Tubby was a good soul :-) Thanks again and stay well.

@bryan3550 Год назад

Sweet! Thanks Rob. 😎

@Robslondon Год назад

☺️

@gilltagg3352 Год назад

Love how cleverly you put theses videos together. It’s history that could be forgotten and any tourist wouldn’t get to hear. I thoroughly enjoy all your videos and can’t wait for the next. ❤️

@Robslondon Год назад

That means a lot to me Gill, thank you so much. Stay well 😊

@idatipping2428 7 месяцев назад

Lovely video, thank you

@Robslondon 7 месяцев назад

Thank you 😊

@whyyoulidl Год назад

Rob. Many thanks for this; always good to discover something I wan't previously aware of. Love your pleasant, informative presentation style. Keep up the good work 😀

@Robslondon Год назад

That means a lot to me; thanks so much for the kind words.

@grahambarrett5569 Год назад

A fascinating video. I learn so much. Thanks Rob 👍

@Robslondon Год назад

You’re very welcome Graham! Thanks for watching 😉

@phillipmcgough6282 Год назад

truly interesting. thank you.

@Robslondon Год назад

A pleasure Phillip, thanks for watching

@SeventhSwell Год назад

It's nice how much the creation of the beach was done out of just goodwill, for the poor no less, with even a company moving the sand there for free. Not much of that going around these days.

@Robslondon Год назад

Yes, exactly what I was thinking when making the video.

@aclark903 Год назад

@@Robslondon I think you will find there are still vicars up and down Britain trying to make things better for the poor, but the #DailyMirror would rather tell you about the 1 in a 100 that gets into trouble...

@annenunney9907 Год назад

Smashing thank you

@Robslondon Год назад

It's a pleasure Anne, thank you :-)

@PurpleTT99 Год назад

Rob your vids always cover a fascinating topic, with enough depth to satisfy but not so much it goes on too long. I never knew there was a proper beach, but gosh the thought of the pollution in its heyday makes me shiver!

@Robslondon Год назад

Much appreciated, thank you 😊

@BdManus Год назад

Very informative and historical video.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks 😊

@basfinnis Год назад

How cool is that? Don't want to know what you'd find washing up there? 😳 Another great upload 😘

@Robslondon Год назад

😬😂 Thanks for the kind words! Hope you’re keeping well

@misterocain Год назад

My Dad's side of the family were from London and although i was conceived in the City, i have never lived there. Though I live in a great place, i still have loved my visits to the Capital. It's a great place with a unique feel. So thanks for all your great videos. Who'd have guessed? A sandy beach in the City. So wonderful that the pollution levels have been drastically reduced to the benefit of both humans and wildlife.

@Robslondon Год назад

Lovely comment and thoughts, thank you.

@cathjj840 Год назад

Sadly, the sewage problem has come back with a vengeance. For lack of investment, the water companies are unleashing tons of raw sewage into the rivers and out to sea. It's now the south coast's beaches which have warnings against the water!!

@misterocain Год назад

@@cathjj840 How can that be allowed?. Only during flash floods should that be allowed and even then there must be other actions they can take. That certainly takes the gloss off the beautiful "Waterloo Sunset" by the Kinks. Apologies for not remembering the details but i saw a program some time ago where it featured a brand new state of the art sewerage system that collected vast amounts of sewage in a deep container and then the sewage was thoroughly processed before being pumped back into the Thames. There have been a few series on London and it could possibly have been one of those hosted by Tony Robinson , of "i have a cunning plan", fame. Maybe Rob can throw a bit more light on the topic.

@energybrown Год назад

Very interesting and enjoyable video!

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you :-)

@resolvetogive Год назад

Thanks!

@Robslondon Год назад

😉

@walkingworld6441 Год назад

This is crazy. I was just filming here and you can see some of the “beach” by tower bridge in my video, but it’s hard to imagine it was ever a destination.

@Robslondon Год назад

Ha ha! ;-) Yes, you'd never know looking at it today! Cheers and stay well.

@ChrisSmith-ls7mb Год назад

Hello Rob Rob loved this video so much. I saw the video show up just as I was of to work and had to wait to watch when I got home. You showed so much of some of our favorite areas You started out at Victoria station and if you had turn right and up a little you would seen our favorite hotel room. We also stayed at the Apex hotel a couple of times near Farrington station and All Hallows church which we have been in, it has excellent history. I strongly recommend a visit. I have seen Bermondsey beach, which area we love. A beach in front of the tower who would have thought. I know you can not mudlark along the front of The Tower so to hear that kids played there is so cool. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much Chris and Sandra; a truly lovely comment :-) Hope you're both keeping well.

@sharonwashington8150 Год назад

Interesting video. Thankyou.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Sharon, much appreciated.

@MikeSmith-wx9xe Год назад

Thank you most interesting!

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Mike

@SlurpyDave254 Год назад

I bet that was a great release for London folk having a beach on their doorstep albeit the water being not the best. About 8 years ago I was having a pint in the Grapes, Limehouse and the tide was out. Had a stroll on the shingle beach in front of the pub n met Sir Ian McKellen who said he lived next door to the Grapes. Marvelous video Rob, thanks👍👏👏

@Robslondon Год назад

Great comment Dave, cheers! I believe Sir Ian McKellen owns (or part owns) the pub? Would love to have a pint with him! Stay well mate.

@damianharris2167 Год назад

By a strange coincidence I was telling my wife about this beach last Saturday as we crossed Millennium Bridge. I remember hearing on TV, possibly Stephen Fry on QI, that as the Thames is tidal as far as Teddington Lock then London can be considered a seaside town/city. Only right then that it should have a beach. Another well put together video Rob. 👍🏻

@Robslondon Год назад

Great comment Damian, thanks! And thank you too for the kind words 😊 Stay well.

@idaornstein1305 Год назад

It was a lovely video. Thank you.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you Ida 😊

@FuckYouPBL Год назад

Excellent work!

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Viola Bridge 😊

@seashell1038 Год назад

Very interesting, thank you.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you 😊

@SLane249 Год назад

Had forgotten that had existed, thanks for sharing.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much Stephen 😊

@douglasthompson296 Год назад

heyas Rob, great video. Up here in Mancs we have had summer 'pop up' beaches in the Castlefield area and there have been proposals for a full time beach to be created on the banks of the River Irwell near the cathedral. There is a 'Sky Garden' being developed by the NT (National Trust) on the old lattice work (its listed) viaduct rail bridge, again in Castlefield. Cheers DougT

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Doug, interesting ;-)

@cathjj840 Год назад

Reminds me of the Time Team episode where some posts were found sticking out of the water in London. Someone had an inkling about these things, and they turned out to be several thousand years old! Can't remember the details, but they were perhaps part of a raised walkway out over the Thames which had a very different profile in that era. So, a pretty busy place since forever.

@Robslondon Год назад

That's fascinating Cath!

@jamesjohnmoss8130 Год назад

As always great, keep up the good work and the interesting subjects.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks James 😉

@boydsmith5844 Год назад

My gradmother lived in a tenement in Druid Lane/Street which is still there.l remember going to the beach probably between 55 and 57.

@Robslondon Год назад

Great comment, thank you.

@marjoriejohnston3038 Год назад

Good while it lasted, in times gone by, in a different England. Enjoyed the video.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you 😊

@louisep4805 Год назад

Another gem of a vid thank you for your hard work Rob 👌🙏

@Robslondon Год назад

A pleasure Louise, thanks for watching 😊

@louisep4805 Год назад

@@Robslondon You are a terrific story teller Rob 🙏

@likklej8 Год назад

Wow thanks Rob for a memory jog I went there with my mum grandma and auntie when I was a little one. Must have been 1950

@Robslondon Год назад

😊 Glad to be of service!

@dougknight1720 Год назад

Thanks Rob. Another really interesting feature. A real shame the Beach closed but a great thing for London Kids while it lasted.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Doug

@robbie609 Год назад

I seem to recall my dad, born 1935 spoke of this! he went to City Of London Boys which is along the Thames, and I don't think you have covered yet..

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Rob. I haven't covered it, no. The original building is lovely (near Blackfriars Bridge).

@robbie609 Год назад

@@Robslondon Yep , called the old school, has since many years now been taken over by JP Morgan Private Bank. But the old citizens / John Carpenter club have used it for dinners still. The new school is very nice, but quite sterile in comparison. I also have a recollection from his stories that in the war years, the school decamped to somewhere suburban.

@lg5819 8 месяцев назад

From a nostalgic point of view and as a cockney who use to live in the old east end before it was gentrified it would be nice to see recent calls to have Tower Beach resurrected but I fear the unpredictability surrounding the Thames tides and the dirtiness you can still see on the sand and shingles and in the murky water will probably keep it closed indefinitely. That’s a shame but when I looked at the concrete staircase and iron gate that leads onto Tower Beach it looks dangerous with slime and seaweed clinging to the surfaces and unsightly. Nice video though!

@Robslondon 8 месяцев назад

Thanks; good comment.

@gunner678 Год назад

I really enjoyed that. My boy has just moved within shouting distance of the beach and it made me feel close to him. I live overseas so it meant a lot! Good job.

@Robslondon Год назад

Such a lovely comment Matthew, thank you 🙂 Glad I can help in some way! Thanks again and stay well.

@gunner678 Год назад

@@Robslondon thanks for the comment. I've been watching your videos all afternoon. Great viewing pleasure. Thanks!

@Robslondon Год назад

@@gunner678 The least I can do Matthew; thanks so much again. Stay well my friend.

@gunner678 Год назад

@@Robslondon I've shared the video with my son!

@Robslondon Год назад

@@gunner678 Hope he enjoys it Matthew, thanks

@Larka666 11 месяцев назад

Great video! 😄

@Robslondon 11 месяцев назад

Thank you!

@jacquelinepaddock7535 Год назад

In the early 50s my dad took mum and me to see the beach. He decided to go for a quick dip in his pre-war wooden trunks. He got into the water up to mid calf didn't like the look of the water and came out then mum pointed out that moths had been at the tasty garment. As the tide was coming in we went for a walk on the embankment instead.

@Robslondon Год назад

Ha ha! What a wonderful memory Jacqueline! Thanks for sharing.

@haroldofcardboard Год назад

thank you for this. very nicely done. i had no idea that tubby was the person who brought this all to be. in the few passing accounts i have caught before on the beach it has always been atrributed to king george. kind of unfair. lets hope tubby will always be remembered in acknowledgement for all his presence in the area. thanks again.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much for your lovely comment Harold, much appreciated. Stay well.

@shaunw9270 Год назад

Great video! I had seen photos before but never knew the whole story. Reminds me of Severn Beach near Bristol.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks Shaun- and yes, good comparison.

@golden.lights.twinkle2329 Год назад

Brilliant video about something which I never knew existed. I really appreciate the quality narration by someone who knows how to speak proper English.

@Robslondon Год назад

Thank you so much; really appreciate your kind words, they mean a lot me. Stay well and thanks again.

@BlaiddLlwyd Год назад

I hadn't heard of this beach before now, thanks. While the Thames would have been much better during the beach's lifetime than before Bazalgette's sewers I can definitely see it being a concern. Many of the rivers in the South Wales Valleys were badly polluted back then as well, with industrial waste more than sewage. Kids were told to keep their mouths closed if they fell in, but they were also the easiest place to cool off in the summer. I guess they made do with what they had. Good on Tubby Clayton for giving them something nicer than a mudflat.

@Robslondon Год назад

Great comment Blaidd Llywd; thank you so much. Yes, rivers in the South Wales Valleys would've been severely polluted in those days with industrial waste; a hideous thing considering how beautiful that part of the world is- I love Wales. I imagine they're far cleaner now, like the Thames? Thanks again my friend and stay well.

@BlaiddLlwyd Год назад

@@Robslondon Yeas, much better now. Wildlife is doing well in many of the rivers. The film "Arabesque" (1966) has a scene towards the end filmed on Crumlin Viaduct, if you look at the background you can see a bright orange river thanks to the ironworks up the valley. It is far far cleaner these days.

@80smusiclover8 Год назад

Another good vid bout of London I was round that end of London tower last sun as going to Holborn from Greenwich as went to oiler bar in royal docks I love going on 🚠 on next visit need to see this beach

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks :-)

@richardsingh5827 Год назад

Interesting video. I fell in the Thames once, it was quite cold.

@Robslondon Год назад

🥶

@djtriode Год назад

Just found you great information, I'm subscribed

@Robslondon Год назад

Thanks so much; nice to have you here 😊

@fusilierjohn8588 Год назад

Thanks Rob bought back fond memories as a child in the 50s because we couldn't wait for the yeoman warder to come out and lower the stairs to get to the beach when the tide was out and then they came out a rang a bell to get everyone off the beach.

@Robslondon Год назад

Lovely memory John, thanks so much for sharing. Stay well.

@margaretoconnor3687 Год назад

Thank you,I had completely forgotten the role of the Yeomen Warders despite spending so much time on the beach in the late 40s and early 50s

@fusilierjohn8588 Год назад

@@margaretoconnor3687 Did you remember the cannons along the front of the tower. We used to play on them when we were kids. No longer there.

@margaretoconnor3687 Год назад

@@fusilierjohn8588 yes,I do remember them. All the boys in my gang and some of the girls (we were a group of 12 or so ) used to climb on them and without fail get chased off by the Yeomen Warders. We would sneak up to the cannons and see what we could get away with. One favourite was to treat the gun as a horse and perform our version of the cowboy films we saw at Saturday morning pictures. Remember them? Sixpence to go in and free on your birthday. No chance to hear the dialogue,absolute mayhem the whole time made even worse if the cowboy hero kissed the heroine!

@fusilierjohn8588 Год назад

@@margaretoconnor3687 lol Margaret. One of us in (paying) and head for one of the fire doors to let the others in.