Bromley-by-Bow Gas Works - London, UK
Posted by: 
OrientGeo
N 51° 31.438 W 000° 00.287
30U E 707775 N 5712348
A cluster of seven surviving gasometers at Bromley-by-Bow, London, on the east bank of the River Lea.
Waymark Code: WM145KE
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/21/2021
Views: 3
These gasholders were built of cast iron between 1872 and 1878 to designs by Joseph Clark & Thomas Kirkham, Engineers for the Imperial Gas Light and Coke Company. The site had formerly been home to a rocket factory. The gasometers stand beside the River Lea which, in this tidal stretch, is known as Bow Creek. The gasworks covered 65 hectares and originally there were eight gasometers. The missing one was destroyed in an enemy bombing raid on 15 September 1940, this gasworks having been a major bombing target. Much of the rest of the site has now been covered by industrial units, but the works’ administrative building also survives as does an interesting memorial garden.
Gas was produced here until the 1960s and natural gas is still stored on the site today. The already mostly derelict site hit the news in December 1981 when two explosions occurred and a storage tank caught fire. This was believed to have been an IRA terrorist attack.
The site is Grade II listed and there has been much debate over its future use. Meanwhile the structures are neglected and decaying. Nevertheless it is still possible to appreciate the intricate ironwork, and the gasometers are best viewed from Twelvetrees Crescent.
Usage: Not in use
Type of gasometer: Telescoping
Building year: 1878
What year usage ended!: 1960
Shape of the gasometer: Cylinder
Hight: 100 feet.
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Visit Instructions:
Take at least one picture of the gasometer. The angle of the photo can be different from the original. Tell about your visit.