The Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, running along the north bank of the River Thames, from the Palace of Westminster to Blackfriars Bridge and acts as a major thoroughfare between the West End and the City of London.
Construction work carried out by the Metropolitan Board of Works, started in February 1864, and was completed in July 1870, under the direction of Joseph Bazalgette. The opening ceremony was performed by the Prince of Wales, accompanied by Princess Louise, on behalf of Queen Victoria, after whom the thoroughfare is named.
The total area of the land reclaimed from the river amounted to 37¼ acres. This included building the Metropolitan District Railway with roads above, sewers, footpaths, gardens , statues and subways. Steamboat piers were built at Westminster, Charing Cross and Waterloo Bridges, not only allowing commuters to travel to other riverside locations, but also people who wanted a day out to Clacton, Southend or Margate, which were within easy reach by paddle steamer.
Some buildings, which were once on the water’s edge, remain today, including Somerset House, York Watergate (LPA 29194) and Temple Gardens, which used to have direct access to the river, but now has a larger garden with land reclaimed from the Thames.