Historic Blackfriars Lions returned with a fresh look to Bazalgette Embankment
The iconic lions’ heads of Blackfriars have found a new home on Bazalgette Embankment, one of the new areas of public space created by London’s 25km super sewer.
Installed as part of Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s original Victorian Embankment, the bronze lions once perched on the river wall and served as essential moorings for barges along the River Thames. As the water levels changed and mooring points moved on, the lions eventually lost their role and were no more than redundant features on the river wall.
These historic sculptures have been given a new lease of life, having been meticulously restored and relocated as part of Tideway’s construction of London’s new super sewer which sits 60m beneath the very spot they once adorned.
With the new space due to open later this year, for the first time in their history, Londoners and visitors alike will be able to get up close and touch these majestic creatures which can be found in the perimeter walls, seemingly guarding over their new home and its surroundings.
In a touching tribute, staff have affectionately named the chief lion ‘Roary’, in honour of baby Rory, one of the newest members of the Tideway team.
‘Roary’ was officially unveiled yesterday during a visit to site by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King who said, “It’s wonderful to see this extraordinary transformation of Blackfriars Bridge, a really remarkable achievement.”
Tideway’s Deputy CEO Matt Parr who welcomed the Lord Mayor to the site, emphasised the project’s commitment to honouring the City’s past while shaping its future. “London’s history is embedded in its streets, rivers and buildings, we are proud to have safeguarded these magnificent lions while also delivering a vital upgrade to the city’s infrastructure.”
In February, Tideway announced that the new super sewer has now been fully connected to the original Victorian sewers. To date, over six million tonnes of sewage has been prevented from entering the river by the new system.
