Lost Rivers of London

The lost rivers of London have merely been mislaid… This 'Coil-adjacent' walk charts the overland course of two of underground rivers, each becoming lost by design. At some point during London’s growth, the need for new land superseded the need for rivers. The presence of these rivers can still be felt via a geographic and cultural ripple: in the shape of the land, in building and street names, references to former bridges and banks, and in public art. The river itself can occasionally be seen or heard through surface level grids and drains. The challenge for urban explorers is to discover and piece together the evidence—once you know what to look for.

Coil loved their wayward waterways, be they lost, dark, silver, sluggish or golden. This day-long exploration captures some of that spirit of contemporary myth-making and imaginative discovery by tracing the full routes of two of London's shorter lost rivers, the Walbrook and the Neckinger.

No drownings will take place following the lost river walks other than of restful refreshments at the end of each.

A waiting list will operate in the event of a sold-out walk; please add your details and the organiser will contact you if a space becomes available. Refunds will ONLY be possible when a ticket can be re-allocated. Tickets ARE transferable; please contact the organiser to re-assign a name and email to a ticket you can't use.

Full public liability insurance exists for the event.

Wear sensible shoes.

Please see Walk Info to get the best out of the day.

About your guide:

Ben has been a Coil fan since discovering Horse Rotorvator at his local lending library in Manchester in 1987. With his Still Walking organisation, he has explored the possibilities of the guided walk format beyond purely heritage culture. He is the author of the 2023 guidebook 111 Places in Birmingham that You Shouldn't Miss and, along with Spydeee Gasmantell, is the co-author of the 2018 epistolary publication Conscience.