On the northern bank of the Thames, situated over 100 metres from the water, near Charing Cross station, is a curious little gateway. In a city like London, with historic buildings and ruins everywhere you turn, it’s easy to assume that it’s merely a remnant of an old building. But it is, in fact, the York Watergate, and it reveals something fascinating about the Thames’ history.
As the name suggests, the Watergate allows for easy access to the water – it’s a water-gate, or a gate to the water. But, as some of you might have noticed, it’s not… next to… the water… Indeed, there’s an entire garden, coffee shop, roadway, and more between the York Watergate and the Thames.
But that’s because it’s moved. Not the Watergate, mind you. That’s always been in the same place/ But the Thames is no longer in the same place it used to be.
The York Watergate and the Thames
The York Watergate was originally constructed to facilitate access to the Thames from the now-gone York House. Think of it as a fancy parking spot for a boat. But now it stands quite some 150 metres away from the river banks. This is due to the construction of the Victoria Embankment in the 19th century.
As a nearby plaque explains: “This gateway marks the position of the north bank of the River Thames before the construction of the Victoria Embankment in 1862.” The Embankment was built to provide the city with a modern sewerage system, and required narrowing the river as part of the construction.
The Grade I-listed structure is one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back 400 years to 1626. Now, though, it’s just a locked gate that is rarely used. And a reminder of London’s maritime past.
đź“Ť Find the York Watergate inside the Victoria Embankment Gardens, near the westernmost corner. Watergate Walk, London WC2N 6DU.
🚇 The nearest stations are Embankment and Charing Cross.
