Subterranean rivers of London

The subterranean rivers of London are the tributaries of the River Thames that were built over in the growth of the metropolis of London, England. Since it is difficult to stop water from flowing downhill, they still flow underground through culverts. Many have been converted into sewers.

Many London localities started their existence as small villages along these rivers, and their place names still reflect their origin.

Some of them are:

• The Walbrook[?]
• The Langbourne[?]
• The River Fleet
• The River Westbourne[?]
• The River Effra[?]
• The River Ken[?]
• The Tyburn
• The Wandle[?]
• Stamford Brook[?]
• Counter's Creek[?]

Other places in London, such as Clerkenwell, are named after long-lost wells.

See also: Underground London

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References:

• Nicholas Barton, The Lost Rivers of London. Historical Publications; ISBN 094866715X

External links:

• London's Lost Rivers (http://www.wildtrout.org/WTT/library/features/lostLondon.asp)
• A map of underground London (http://www.heritagemagazine.co.uk/underground.html)
• London's subterranean River Fleet (http://pvdl.best.vwh.net/fleet5.html)
• BBC discussion forum (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-london/A710443)
• Work on uncovering some London rivers (http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/2346.html)