Nine Elms to Waterloo Viaduct

The massive brick structure stretching above you represents a feat of nineteenth century engineering designed to conquer the marshy terrain of Lambeth. Built to carry the South West Main Line into the city, this two-mile-long viaduct consists of over two hundred and ninety arches. Engineers chose this elevated path because it allowed the railway to bypass established landmarks like Lambeth Palace and the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Construction crews worked with such remarkable speed that one complex arch spanning Miles Street was completed from scratch in only forty-five hours.