Effra Quay and Isle of Effra
Effra Quay and the Isle of Effra are new public spaces on the south bank of the River Thames in Vauxhall. These two spacious riverfront terraces were created through the Thames Tideway Tunnel project. Visitors can enjoy views of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and Battersea Power Station.
The spaces are named after the River Effra. This is one of London’s historic "lost rivers," now part of the city’s Victorian sewer system.
Transforming the Thames Path experience
The opening of Effra Quay and the Isle of Effra restores a continuous, accessible section of the Thames Path. This upgrade widens the route and adds new seating, trees, signage, and wayfinding. These improvements make the riverside experience richer, safer, and more enjoyable.
How to find us
Address: Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
w3w locations: ///prime.pops.decide and ///upon.hero.punks
Public transport: short walk from Vauxhall underground and Vauxhall rail station
No parking available
Key features
- Timber benches facing panoramic river views
- High-quality granite paving that resembles an elevated beach
- Artwork by Richard Wentworth
- Poems from Dorothea Smartt’s Hidden Rivers, Hidden Times series
Visiting safely
- Follow safety signage
- As a working site, some areas may not be available from time to time
- Please use bins provided for litter
- For your safety, please enjoy the river from the path. Do not enter the water, it isn’t safe to swim here
Accessibility
- Level access throughout
- Varied seating options
- Spaces for wheelchair users to sit alongside others
Discover more sites
Effra Quay and the Isle of Effra are part of a broader effort under the Thames Tideway Tunnel project. The aim is to enhance river health and increase public access to the Thames waterfront. They join other new riverside spaces from Putney and beyond. Transforming the riverside offers a way for people to connect with London’s river.