Link: Greenwich foot tunnel
Cut out the stress of travelling and take a walk around Greenwich, enjoying the parks and historic sites around the borough.
Foot tunnels
Need to get over to the northside of the River Thames on foot? Then try one of the borough's two foot tunnels, currently used by 1.5 million people a year.
The tunnels and stairs are open 24 hours a day. See below for lift operating times.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Tunnel provides a pedestrian link between Cutty Sark Gardens and Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets.
Normally, the lifts operate Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
NOTE: The lift at Greenwich South (Cutty Sark Gardens) is currently out of operation due to a mechanical failure.
If the lifts are not running, you can use the steps (about a hundred steps on each end of the tunnel).
Interesting facts about the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
Woolwich Foot Tunnel
The tunnel provides a pedestrian link between Woolwich and North Woolwich.
Normally, the lifts operate Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 4.30pm.
If the lifts are not running, you can use the steps (about a hundred steps on each end of the tunnel).
Dedicated walks
You can find more information on dedicated walks in our Leisure and culture section.
Amongst other details you'll find information on:
If you would like a guided walk, contact the Greenwich Tour Guides, who offer both scheduled and tailored tours.
Walk the Games
Greenwich is one of the host boroughs of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Take a tour of the Olympic sites on a walking route that passes some of the borough's famous attractions.
Tunnel improvements
The foot tunnels are to be substantially refurbished thanks to an £11.5 million award from the Government's Community Infrastructure Fund.
The work will extend the life of the tunnels - which are about 100 years old - and improve conditions for tunnel users.
Improvements that will be carried out on the tunnels will include:
- new lifts
- refurbished stairways and head houses
- new CCTV and communications system, including help buttons
- new lighting
- new drainage
- structural repairs
- leak sealing
- new signing
- historical information murals.
The works should be complete by March 2011.
Photography in the foot tunnels
Photography is banned in both the Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels.
Flash photography can trigger adverse effects to those who suffer from epilepsy and related medical conditions.
Commercial photography and fiming may take place in the tunnels subject to obtaining the appropiate licence from the Greenwich Film Unit.