Brunel's Great Escape

One hundred and eighty six years ago this week Brunel was nearly drowned in the Thames Tunnel before he even got to Bristol. Visitors are invited to view the huge underground chamber and narrow passage that saved him.. Come hear the story of this Great Victorian Escape from a Scheduled Ancient Monument on an International Landmark Site. Help us celebrate Brunel the engineer and escapologist.

The river flooded the tunnel 5 times in all. The second time, 12 January 1828, nearly finished Brunel who was working in the shield with 2 miners. The shift was about to end when suddenly a torrent of water swept them from the frame and extinguished all the lights. In the pitch dark could be heard nothing but the creaking and crashing of timbers, then Brunel felt a sudden numbing pain as one of them trapped his leg. Fortunately Brunel managed to struggle free from under the timber, and edged his way along the tunnel towards the clamour at the foot of the shaft and to safety.

NB Although the shaft is 50 feet in diameter, visitors must crawl through a short tunnel to reach a high platform above the chamber and descend into the chamber for a death defying story. No booking necessary -  just turn up and hold your breath!