The Thames SENSEation: A sensory celebration of the River Thames

The Northbank BID presents the world’s first multi-sensory history of the River Thames, designed by the Young British Foodie award winning House of Gastrophonic. Billed as one of the headline events of the month-long Totally Thames, The Thames SENSEation is a sensory immersive journey through London’s past, present and future, for all the family to enjoy.

Discover how the River Thames has been the gateway through which countless new tastes, aromas, textures and sounds have arrived in the city, influencing and enriching London’s life. Learn about the many characteristics of the city that have reflected its sensory history, such as street names – Camomile Street and Bread Street.

Take in the sights and sounds of London’s past with a walk through the Aromatic Time Tunnel for a sensory visit to three pivotal historical eras in London that changed the way we eat and drink today – Elizabethan spices, Victorian teas and mid-20th Century exotic fruits.

Look, learn and listen at the Sensory Hub, discovering how food continues to shape the story of London and the Northbank with fun and educational talks. Learn from award winning young food historian Tasha Marks (AVM Curiosities), the Guardian guided walks award winners Fox & Squirrel and cooking demonstrations from Gary Hollihead, Executive Head Chef from the Northbank’s renowned Corinthia Hotel.

Immerse yourself in the Modern Thames exhibition of iMakr’s 3D printed London landmarks past, present and future. As part of MyMiniFactory.com’s Scan The World project members of the public are being asked to help create a digital database of the world’s iconic monuments and landmarks that can be downloaded from My Mini Factory’s website and 3D printed anywhere in the world. The Garden Bridge will be the first structure involved to not yet exist; with the Garden Bridge Trust also at the exhibition offering a rare virtual glimpse of the bridge to come.

Meet our Elizabethan, Victorian and mid-20th century ancestors to discover how London’s families once lived, play games of the past and enjoy street entertainment with The Past Alive.