Tower Bridge's Dead Man's Hole
where the river gave up its dead
A grim riverside alcove beneath Tower Bridge once used to recover bodies pulled from the Thames.
Free to visit · Tower Hill · Tower Hill · EC3N 4AB
Opening: Riverside viewable any time
Tucked beneath the northern approach to Tower Bridge is a small, easily missed riverside recess with a chilling name, Dead Man's Hole. The currents and tides of the Thames had a habit of carrying bodies, whether suicides, accidents or victims of crime, to this exact spot, so a mortuary alcove was built here to recover and hold them.
There was even a winch to haul the dead from the water. The grim little structure survives, complete with its old fittings, right beside one of the most photographed bridges in the world. It is free to find, a sombre and fascinating footnote to the river's darker history.
Getting there: Beneath the northern end of Tower Bridge by the river, near Tower Hill.
Best time to go: Daytime, on a riverside walk under Tower Bridge.
Insider tip: Follow the riverside path down beneath the bridge on the north bank to find the recessed alcove. It is a sobering counterpoint to the tourist bustle right above on Tower Bridge.
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide