Led by architectural designer and artist Cameron Bray, this bicycle tour traces the path of the historic Grand Surrey Canal which fell victim to the expanding city in the 1970s. Passing waste incinerators, modernist housing estates, community centres and public libraries — the tour reveals the extraordinary past and present infrastructure hidden on the back streets of south east London.
Providing a safe and fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city this special cycle tour supported by Thames Water is part of a new series celebrating places of industry and production across the capital and responding to the core themes of the Open House Festival.
Discover the extraordinary stories of the Grand Surrey Canal, starting in Rotherhithe and finishing off in Peckham, this special tour with a focus on water and sanitary heritage also explores themes of industry in the city, housing, waste, public space and redevelopment. It offers an insight into the past, present and possible futures of this corner of south east London.
Highlights include the Stirling Prize-winning Peckham Library, the celebrated Pepys Estate, Rotherhithe’s last docks, Stave Hill Ecological Park, the incredible murals of the North Peckham Civic Centre, and the thriving industrial spaces of Surrey Canal Road.
Ticket cost £5, with support from Thames Water.
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