Discover Official Walks & Talks

Illuminated River Spring Guided Walk

The artist, the project and the bridges

Walk with us as the sun goes down and the Illu­mi­nat­ed Riv­er lights up.

Illuminated River is an ambi­tious, entrancing pub­lic art com­mis­sion which came into being in 2019 – a unified light installation connecting bridges on the Riv­er Thames,

Conceived by internationally-acclaimed light artist Leo Villareal and award-winning British archtiects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. Villareal uses the latest LED technology to ‘paint with light’, which subtly unfolds across the bridge structures. Each bridge is different as he respects and reveals their individual histories and architectural features, while celebrating the Thames as London’s vital artery. Leo's vision is to create a beacon of London’s creativity, ambition and spirit, that is accessible for all to view.

Join your Official City Guide on this gentle, evening walk alongside the River Thames to find out more about the project, the artist and the four City bridges which form the first phase of this extraordinary, public artwork for London. Walks last about 90 minutes.

Cost: £10/£8 concessions + booking fee.

To book, visit the Eventbrite page

Meeting point: inside the entrance of Blackfriars Station Northside. (District and Circle tube lines and Thameslink)

Please note: the walk is step-free but uses lift access. It ends just beyond London Bridge near the Monument Tube station or a little further on is Tower Hill station which is step free. This interactive map from the City of London shows Blue Badge parking: https://www.mapping.cityoflondon.gov.uk/geocortex/mapping/?viewer=compass&runworkflowbyid=Switch_layer_themes&LayerTheme=Show%20the%20Blue%20Badge%20Bays%20layers

What our clients have said:

  • "Saw Cannon Street and Southwark ‘in a new light’"

  • 'Never been on the North Side before a different view – encouraged to night walk!'

  • 'Not aware of light pollution on river previously'

  • 'My six friends and myself had superb Illuminated River Guided Walk on 20th Aug 2019, couldn't be better, thank you... ' 

 

We've restarted our physical walks!

Our daily walks from the City Information Centre, just south of St Paul's are now running, and for the moment you'll still need to book your slot.

In addition, you can visit some of the City's delightful gardens, while in the evening take a stroll along the river to admire London's bridges, now beautifully lit thanks to the Illuminated River Project. 

Note: We try to make our walks as inclusive and accessible as possible.

If you would like to organise your own walk, lecture or a virtual tour, then please use our Find a Guide section. If you're a member of an Arts Society or a U3A group we'd love to take you on a tour of the City. And if you're a company based in the City who would like to organise a social event for your work colleagues, why not book an evening walk with us? As guides we know where all the good pubs are!

 

 

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