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The main cause of flooding in London are the high tides rushing in from the sea up the River Thames.
The idea of creating a barrier was first considered when a serious flood in 1953 resulted in 300 people drowning.
Construction of the barrier didn't start until 1974, and took a full ten years to complete. The Thames Barrier is a significant engineering feat, stretching a third of a mile across the Thames, and is the largest tidal defence barrier on the river which is maintained by the Environment Agency.
The visitor information centre has a working model of the Barrier, a video showing the construction and a cafe with views across the Barrier.
There is also a picnic area and childrens play area.
Other Visitor Centres that may be of interest are: Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre in Mansfield, Rheidol Hydro Electric Power Station And Visitor in Aberystwyth, Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre in Corwen, Nuclear Electric Plc in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Ffestiniog Pumped Storage Scheme in Ffestiniog, Electric Mountain in Caernarfon.
Attractions near Thames Barrier Visitors Centre include The Queen's House in London, Cabot Place & Canada Square in London, Lewisham Centre in London, Vicarage Field in Barking, The Stratford Centre in London, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre in Rotherhithe, The Echange Shopping Mall in Ilford, Aylesham Centre in London, Agora Indoor Shopping Centre in London, Tower Of London in City of London.
There are 50 hotels within 6.4 miles of Thames Barrier Visitors Centre ranging in price from £29 at the cheap end to £169. The nearest hotels are Ramada Hotel & Suites London Docklands (0.9m) with rooms from £79, London Docklands Premier Inn (1.0m) with rooms from £67, Custom House Hotel (1.2m) with rooms from £49.
RAMADA HOTEL & SUITES LONDON DOCKLANDS
LONDON DOCKLANDS PREMIER INN
CUSTOM HOUSE HOTEL
Cafe