Illuminated River

Have you ever spotted this distinctive 1950s sign on the side of Waterloo Bridge?

It was designed by LCC architect Norman Engleback and restored by Heritage of London Trust, preserving the iconic design and adding to the vibrancy of the area.

✅ Westminster Bridge reimagined.

Leo Villareal’s artwork honours the bridge's historically significant design, by bringing its iconic green to life from below.

We ❤️💚💙 seeing the Illuminated River artworks through your lens - here are a few that caught our eye recently.

Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured on our channels 📸

The exhibition is open until 9pm every Friday and Saturday, so take a stroll along the Thames after your visit and see the Illuminated River artworks take centre stage.

A landmark exhibition of work by Tracey Emin opens this weekend at Tate Modern. 

Tracing 40 years of Emin’s groundbreaking practice, the exhibition showcases career-defining sensations alongside works never exhibited before.

Have you ever spotted the fascinating 30m long mosaic at Queenhithe Dock?

You can find it on the North Bank of the Thames, between Southwark Bridge and Millennium Bridge, both of which are illuminated every evening, as part of the world's longest public artwork.

Talk about a glowup ✨ Leo Villareal's artwork adorns Lambeth Bridge with a red glow - to match the colour of the benches in the House of Lords’ chamber, and mirror the red accents of the bridge’s railings and arches.

Walking Tours in partnership with the Official Guides to the City of… The Illuminated River will be an art commission on an unprecedented scale: a scheme to light central London’s bridges along the River Thames.

Tours take place fortnightly on Thursdays during February and March - dates and tickets via our website:

Wrap up warm and immerse yourself in the Illuminated River artwork - with a walking tour along the Thames.

All tours are led by friendly, knowledgeable City of London Guides, so you'll discover stories of the Thames, its bridges and the world's longest piece of public art.

To the romantics, the late-night Londoners, and the lovers of light... Happy Valentine's Day, from Illuminated River ❤️

Which bridge would you choose for a Valentine’s walk? 

📸 Blackfriars Bridge, by James Newton

Boat Tours in partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers The Illuminated River will be an art commission on an unprecedented scale: a scheme to light central London’s bridges along the River Thames.

Tickets:

Step onboard, relax and enjoy the best views of the world's longest piece of public art, with guided commentary from City of London Guides and Westminster City Guides, and refreshments available from the onboard café bar.

Weekday sailings of the Official Illuminated River Boat Tour continue throughout February and March, with Thames Clippers.

Explore Illuminated River – Map and Resources The Illuminated River will be an art commission on an unprecedented scale: a scheme to light central London’s bridges along the River Thames.

Download the phone-friendly map:

A free, self-guided 2.5-mile walking tour map from Illuminated River's environmental lighting consultants Atelier Ten is available on our website, featuring fascinating insights into the sustainable design and engineering behind the project.

Did you know the average amount of energy used to light each Illuminated River bridge is just 10 kilowatts - roughly the same as powering five standard fan heaters?

Thames Festival Trust - Thames Lens: Photo Submission - Thames Festival Trust Photography competition: Capture Your Thames Vision in Thames Lens

As long as your film has a clear connection to the Thames and runs under 2.5 minutes, it’s welcome - but be quick, as entries close on 12 February.

Find out more: https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/artistic-programme/thames-lens/thames-lens-photo-submission/

#LondonVideographer #LondonContentCreator

You could tell a story, capture the Thames or the Illuminated River artworks through your own lens, or create something entirely new.

This is the first year that video has been included in the competition, so this is your chance to show what the category can be.

If the Thames inspires you, we’d love to see your response on film, in the new Video category of the Thames Lens competition, sponsored by Illuminated River.

#Throwback to New Year's Eve when the Illuminated River bridges were a glorious backdrop to the London NYE fireworks display.

Here are a few of our favourite photos from a spectacular night on the Thames.

Blackfriars Bridge - the glow up ✨

Leo Villareal's Illuminated River artwork uses subtle scarlet and mauve tones to complement the red pillar supports of the original Blackfriars Railway Bridge, lighting the underside of the structure.

In his new book Coding Light, Illuminated River artist Leo Villareal reflects on how the world's largest public artwork reveals the beauty of nine bridges over the Thames - and the best ways to experience the work.

Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light

#Throwback to a month ago tonight, when the Illuminated River bridges were a glorious backdrop to the London NYE fireworks display - here are some of our favourite photos from a spectacular night on the Thames.

The building was later demolished to make way for the Royal Festival Hall, but the Lion was saved and has stood majestically next to County Hall since 1966.

If you pay him a visit after dark, also be sure to check out the Illuminated River artwork on Westminster Bridge.

The South Bank Lion started life sitting on top of the Red Lion Brewery, until the building was badly damaged by fire in 1931.

Photography Courses The Illuminated River will be an art commission on an unprecedented scale: a scheme to light central London’s bridges along the River Thames.

Courses available throughout February and March - visit  https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson/illuminated-river-photography-courses-4 for dates and booking info.

What can you expect when you join an Illuminated River Photography Course?

We caught up with award-winning photographer and course leader Nigel Wilson to find out.

In his new book Coding Light, Illuminated River artist Leo Villareal reflects on how his artworks for Cannon Street Bridge and London Bridge communicate to form an immersive diptych.

Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light

Tours take place fortnightly on Thursdays - dates and tickets via our website:

 https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson/illuminated-river-walking-tours-in-partnership-with-the-official-guides-to-the-city-of-london

#LondonWalkingTours #LondonGuidedTours #ThingsToDoInLondon

All tours are led by friendly, knowledgeable City of London Guides, so you'll discover the history and stories behind the Thames, its bridges and the world's longest piece of public art.