Royal Tower Of London Underwater Tunnel under the River Thames POLICE CAME

WE managed to get into old tunnels which were created for a failed London Underground system and then got used for steam pipes. They lie almost disused but in surprisingly good condition for their age and location. They are situated right outside The Tower Of London where the Crown and Royal Jewels are kept in hyper security and on display to the public.
I encountered Police on the way out who thought I might be a terrorist trying to get into the Tower Of London or the City Hall Of London. Thankfully they were polite and friendly and accepted that I was a youtube content creator and let me go... thankfully my friend had got out another way. Lol.
Some info on the London Hydraulic Company
The company was set up by an Act of Parliament (the London Hydraulic Power Company Act 1884), sponsored by railway engineer Sir James Allport,[1][a] to install a network of high-pressure cast iron water mains under London. It merged the Wharves and Warehouses Steam Power and Hydraulic Pressure Company, founded in 1871 by Edward B. Ellington, and the General Hydraulic Power Company, founded in 1882. The network gradually expanded to cover an area mostly north of the Thames from Hyde Park in the west to Docklands in the east.[3]
The system was used as a cleaner and more compact alternative to steam engines, to power workshop machinery, lifts, cranes, theatre machinery (including revolving stages at the London Palladium and the London Coliseum, safety curtains at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the lifting mechanism for the cinema organ at the Leicester Square theatre and the complete Palm Court orchestra platform),[1] and the backup mechanism of Tower Bridge.[3] It was also used to supply fire hydrants, mostly those inside buildings. The water, pumped straight from the Thames, was heated in winter to prevent freezing.[1]
Decline
The system pumped 6.5 million gallons of water each week in 1893; this grew to 32 million gallons in 1933.
From about 1904, business began to decline as electric power became more popular. The company began to replace its steam engines with electric motors from 1923. At its peak, the network consisted of 180 miles (290 km) of pipes, and the total power output was about 7,000 horsepower (5.2 MW).
The system finally closed in June 1977. The company, as a UK statutory authority, had the legal right to dig up the public highways to install and maintain its pipe network. This made it attractive to Mercury Communications (a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless) who bought the company and used the pipes as telecommunications ducts.[3][7] Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, the last of the five to close, later became an arts centre and restaurant.
info from WIKIPEDIA
en.wikipedia.o...
My Instagram: / mattswilli
Facebook: / 1228424283971624
email me at [e-mail] or [e-mail]
Also present on this explore were
Glen - / @glen7463
Equipment used:
Sony A7s ii with Samyang 14mm full frame lens
Dji Pocket 2 camera
Insta 360x R
Adobe Premiere Pro 2020
Ryzen 3950X
65GB Ram
Windows 10 (No Apple shiz here)
Nvidia RTX 3090 GFX

[@and7barton]

It's a sensitive terrorist hotspot, so they leave the door open ? - Well done ...... same as everything else then. For your future reference Matt - There's another tunnel under the Thames at Richmond in a garden off Willoughby Road. Also, the Rotherhythe Tunnel ventilation tunnels (which run above the main tunnel) might be worth exploring.

[@kellyb1420]

Awesome! While a Terrorist Group that hates England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 is sitting in another country taking notes 📝 and mapping out where to place a bomb 💣 or poison the water supply!!! 🤣😂😅 Great!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🤣lol🤦‍♀️

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Yes, totally bonkers. The person who left it open should be getting the fine. I’m amazed but at least they were pretty reasonable.

[@unidentifiedbiomass4106]

NUMEROUS EXPIRED TV LICENSES IN THE AREA

[@Smurf778]

Much respect to Matt. Just walks out the door like Boss doesn't rat out his friend. Just Crushes It like a Legend 💪🐻

[@wegface69]

Not the first or last time secret vault went deep into a dirty hole

[@MelJ44]

Wow nice one matt what an explore hey really enjoyed this love your vids alot crazy haha xx thanks Matt

[@TRUNYA1]

You didn’t tell them to click like and subscribe 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Love your work

[@sarahburton3110]

Love this channel 👍🏻😃

[@christineemmerson4180]

I'm more amazed the police actually turned up!!

[@davidm3maniac201]

And hang about for so long.

[@TheSecretVault]

They love it. They will hang around for hours.

[@elboydo]

Funnily enough the hydraulics aren't even the original purpose. The tunnel was first built as a small tube tunnel across the river, and then became a foot tunnel. It only fell out when Tower Bridge was built. So during its time there was likely tens of thousands of people who have passed through it, but since then its been just turned into a utility tunnel. It's really cool to think such history is just sitting there.

[@mal_752]

Absolutely fabulous explore. Thought that those pipes would go on forever. Great drone shots. Well done 🙏💪💪

[@ExStaticBass]

Oh my days. Can you imagine the poor blokes who had to carry those huge sections of pipe all the way down to where they had to be installed? Bly me that had to be some back breaking work. Don't you reckon?

[@davidm3maniac201]

Exactly and just made the same comment. Its classed as a confined space so you have to take escape sets and gas monitors and thats without the tools and materials. Nightmare job

[@richardking6066]

someone had to dig the tunnel by hand too!

[@and7barton]

I reckon they built that tunnel by the cut and cover method (That's a joke by the way)

[@Peter-nv3wu]

Never cease to be amazed seeing the places you guy's manage to get into, the real downside to seeing the places you guy's manage to get in to is the fact that my age and fitness puts anything like this totally beyond my reach, but at least I can do the next best thing by watching your videos ! When I was young we were far too scared to attempt anything like what you guy's regularly do now so please keep these amazing videos coming. Just realised that I forgot to say that when you went out of the exit/entrance door you should have greeted have greeted Mr Plod with a friendly ''evening all'' and bent your legs outward at the knees slightly lol lol.

[@davidm3maniac201]

I am the same Peter. I would love to do this but I can't due to my Health also

[@Peter-nv3wu]

@@davidm3maniac201 one thing I forgot to say was that we should give a thought to the guy's who went down there and dug the tunnel, by the age of the equipment it was used for they must have dug the whole thing by hand, No T.B.M's in those days !

[@Bullwinkle39]

I've been wanting to see this for such a long time. You absolute legend

[@Airsoft-shooting]

How did he get away with it mate lol

[@Bullwinkle39]

@@Airsoft-shooting I don't understand what you're trying to say

[@Airsoft-shooting]

@@Bullwinkle39 I can’t remember what I said lol

[@Bullwinkle39]

@@Airsoft-shooting haha fair enough mate

[@MrHarney]

I nearly got bingo on my terrorist bingo card

[@petera8083]

👍 FYI; There are few Brunel cylinder entrances (similar to your entrance) to the original London underground system which goes in straight line under the Thames. (Subway and old steam rail) if you’re interested you can get the info from Google as to where they’re located. I think they’re near Westminster or London Bridge (not tower bridge) . The entrances to the tunnels have proper stairs which go round the centre column. (Thought you might be interested )

[@LeighRobinsonBushcraft]

Great to watch as I wouldn't dare! Nice to see a KZbinr doing proper stuff instead of faking randonautica vids for subs.

[@ThermoCoupleNZ]

Yes I think they fake a lot of that too...

[@and7barton]

Yes....... All of them wide-eyed and terrified by their own shadows, yet they keep on doing to themselves. I gave up on them a long time ago.

[@spacedust2270]

Lol those ppl always had a stalker aswell didn't they

[@Airsoft-shooting]

Mr Williams how did you get away with this lol one of the most secured area in London great job 👍

[@TheSecretVault]

Must be my charm

[@Airsoft-shooting]

@@TheSecretVault one location I would like you to explore no one on KZbin not done it at all... I sent you a private message on Instagram

[@margaretthatcher1244]

I USED TO SMOKE CRACK an shoot up gear WITH THE queen in THE MORNINGS seeing these again HAS BROUGHT BACK fond memories THANK YOU

[@simonbroberg969]

After we heard you had died, we told the Government that a one gun Salute would do fine, as long as you were in the ebreach and it was pointed towards France. Well you didn't give us a chance to vote on joining Europe or not. Finally though we got the chance to vote on it and despite all polaticians saying how good if we remained, they lost.. The scots managed to to change things there too even though the Torys made it nearly impossible to do so (they thought it was impossible, but the Scots found a way anyway) The Scotts offered to dig a hole near to the centre of the planet to deliver you to the Devil in person.

[@margaretthatcher1244]

@@simonbroberg969 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@pikeonatrike]

Nice one matt. Guessing they wont be leaving that door open again 😂

[@paulyh4531]

One door closes , another is left open 😺

[@TheSecretVault]

They said it would have to be secured

[@adamdnewman]

@@TheSecretVault probably with a sign. Keep Out LOL

[@davidm3maniac201]

Its been padlocked now.

[@CandyKoRn]

@@davidm3maniac201 Fun is banned, as usual.

[@kennethbarker852]

1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth🙂👍

[@Mark-lh4xq]

Great seeing London so quiet. Can't believe that entrance door was open - good intel. Thought the drone may spark an alert. Cool as a cuc - respect

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

I new were you were going as soon as the video started, I'm jealous I'm the fact you went down there, I've been interested in underground London all my life. 👏👏👍👍, I would like you to do the route from Brick lane to Downing street, i could send you a map pin for the start hatch, that would be a interesting film. Just my thought, but were they the pipes for tower bridge? I did think they was only on the south side of the Thames but maybe I heard wrong.. 🤔 very surprised you did not have all guns pointed, the city of London police are a different breed. But luckily enough, you had the police from the south side lol

[@jasonfernee2401]

Good vid... whoever left the door unlocked would have been sacked, and nice to see the security services checking it out. Good vid all round.

[@marktraum9139]

Image how hot it would be if those pipes held live steem.

[@TheSecretVault]

indeed

[@DogSerious]

It would be sauna time baby!

[@TheShugster1874]

or even steam

[@davidm3maniac201]

Then he would have a nice sauna underground.

[@jreg2007]

what ? as in steam that's not dead? 😂👌🏻

[@simonba9944]

Nice one Matt. I enjoyed that little tunnel jaunt. I'm sure you'll get the ridiculous Covid fine quashed, afterall it's work, just as it is in a factory or a shop or a bank or as a journalist has to go out and about too. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@adamdnewman]

It should cout as videojournalism, I would hope

[@medusa3050]

Been to the Tower of London couple of years back ,saw the crown jewels etc.... but to get to go into the tunnels wow...that'd be amazing... Well done Matt 👏 Awesome video 👍👍

[@SusanLostSoulsExploring]

As if that door is just open! Like WHAT? Great video Matt.

[@TyroneDaviesWELSHMAN]

Brilliant. But what were you expecting down there.. Q in his lab, M enjoying a tea, Bond on the shooting range! Who knows! Good work my friend!

[@MetroTitanD78]

There's an abandoned stretch of tunnel on the Northern Line by Embankment under the Thames which was penetrated during the War but thankfully it had been sealed off years before so only that bit flooded. The tunnel was originally part of a loop that trains used to take when the line only went as far as Embankment.

[@DE-eVOLVED]

Nicely done Matt 👍👍

[@gail727]

If its a sensative area then who ever owns those tunnels left the door open so therefore they are in breach of any security. Bet they didn't get a fine!

[@mickeybigbuds]

big time

[@jamiesmith7883]

I walked past that door Monday afternoon and someone had put padlocks on the door because it had clearly been broken into so I doubt very much it’s a case of the door was just left unlocked from when the last company worked down there

[@woodsmic]

Bit of a coincidence that the door was left unlocked just as these guys wanted to get in and explore.. Hmmm..

[@brandonsteinbach4208]

Only Matt would defy all logic and CHOOSE to get busted over trying to make a clean escape.🤣

[@TheSecretVault]

Fall on my sword to make sure mate got away

[@lankriverfront8360]

Whoever left the door unlocked should be the one arrested

[@zombienation68]

Certain urban explorers have a motto...leave nothing behind but footprints...the footprints in this case being on the door to the tunnels, eventually the lock broke, lol

[@andreasbehringer6967]

Aw bless, lol.... :-)

[@fuzzbuttchoco]

Love this video. Can't believe it exists. It's brilliant.

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

glad I watched to the end.. worth the laugh

[@panderjitsinghvv8199]

Just tell them you’re on a BLM protest and they’ll buy you a drink and drive you home.

[@TheSecretVault]

lol

[@TheSynthnut]

London's hydraulic mains were just high pressure water, not steam or oil by the way.

[@mr.velocity6547]

Matt....this is pure awesomeness!!

[@ryanelmore6188]

Good luck! Love your vids!

[@richardlangly4635]

Matt, I want to know how it is you can explore these place without being weighed down by your massive brass balls.

[@SP_3333]

How did you do this? Unbelievable. Nice job.

[@TheSecretVault]

As you saw the door was open. Some lads had been inm the day before and they told us it was open. I even have confirmation others were caught in there the day before we went by the police who wrote to me recently and will be the subject of an up and coming video.

[@alexandermethven]

Under sunak pm ,he makes our defence weak ,.well done guys.👍👍👍👍

[@jespersrensen2216]

Glen is cool. Like his personality and style.

[@TheSecretVault]

Yeah he is very down to earth - and likes his coffee.

[@deejay9368]

What happened to Glenn please Matt? Does he have his own channel please?

[@BLINDEXPLORERASIFMUHAMMAD]

Very amazing video well done and keep up the great work and good luck

[@dodgydruid]

Be cool if you can find your way down to the Tilbury-Gravesend subway, went there as a nipper for a school day out well to the end bit but we could only look on in because LEB were putting through high voltage cables from Tilbury power station to pylons feeding the national grid towards High Brooms and down towards Medway. They even had oil rigs off Tilbury after discovering a small oil and gas deposit in the estuary.

[@Melody-dr2pg]

I feel like we in some kind of video game. Going up and tunnel stairs.

[@fredflintstoner596]

Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?"

[@moodymanxman79]

The drone is fair cop, but the unlocked door isn't your fault. Nice Video matt

[@TheSecretVault]

So many people fly in London.... rules are for fools.... lol.

[@pklongutoobe]

The London power company pipes never contained steam (water condensed out of the steam would soon hydrolock machinery). They contained water at 800PSI. Steam engines in the power stations drove pumps. The tunnels also contained (and still do, the big pipes) water mains. There are telecommunication links down there too (fibre optics).

[@BlytheWorld1972]

The end part was pure class got put right in your place lol hahahaha

[@BlytheWorld1972]

Still think your channel is cool though and i love your patter so its all great .

[@VacantHaven]

Amazing!!

[@lxshomeproductions]

Wow what a spinout first time ive seen matt hit a spot i actually remember visiting whilst in london years ago cant beleive it was unlocked again i went there in christmas 2012

[@barbaramiller5290]

Too bad no lillys for the watering! Lol. Your intro was awesome! Cool video

[@Andrea-73]

I hope you didn't pay that fine!! Thanks for the explore 👍❤️

[@TheSecretVault]

no i didnt pay the fine and it was officially retracted.

[@Andrea-73]

@@TheSecretVault 👍

[@dangleecock6704]

Great video! To be fair to the coppers, I'm a bit more reassured that they showed up! I think I'd of been peed off if they hadn't 😂. I wonder if you brought a ticket online then technically it isn't trespass 😂😂😂

[@RadiopodUk]

I've been wondering for a while now about a small door not far away at London Bridge. It's just near the top of the steps at No.2 London Bridge which lead up from Montague Close. It might just be storage for that row of buildings but my Dad, in order to skip paying for a tube ticket in the 1960's 😁, remembers going through a door at London Bridge Station, going up a spiral staircase and coming out by the bridge. Sadly he's 80 and can't remember the exact location. I spotted the door on the steps a couple of years ago but it was too busy to try and open it. I haven't been back since so wondered if anyone knew?

[@jimmime]

Well, at least you did get to piss on it! LOL!

[@daviddaniel7047]

Nice one Matt, really enjoyed the film. I loved the way you just accepted your fate.

[@jaydunstan1618]

I thought that was an early Internet cable tunnel linking Wales to England via Skegness. It was set up to help spread Welshness.

[@belindamoles9192]

Oh my days Matt, you don't half keep keep us entertained with your videos, you go the whole hog always. X

[@maxwellmc9734]

Fun fun and more fun.. 😅 Great video

[@dodgydruid]

The last customer of the London Hydraulic Power Company ceased in 1977, it was a system that worked very well and as the infrastructure was well laid down it was easier and cheaper to continue using it but the joining of the EEC saw London docks sidelined in favour of Rotterdam and the commonwealth trading bloc closed down when we joined the EU and with it went the docks. I used to drink on a saturday nite in Tooley St's Royal Oak and one of our lot comes running in saying the door in Vine St was open so we all pegged on down there to be met by a bunch of at first surly C&W surveyors and we got asked politely to leave and we even put a couple pints down for the chaps in the pub but never did see if they had 'em as we were in the nightclub down below acting silly hehe All that time and now get to see the other side yay :)

[@sylvianorthling1223]

This is madness,matt,I love it

[@PyrateAsylumParanormalAgency]

Excellent work!!!! #PyrateRulz

[@beedevonlife]

Fantastic, great content, drone shots especially. At the end when the police asked for footage proof, I imagined them watching the steamy wee wee bit😂👮‍♂️👮‍♂️

[@TheSecretVault]

Full pressure wazz cam

[@jamiesmith7883]

It weren’t actually to supply cranes with steam it was actually built in the Victorian times to transport people under the Thames for a penny it’s wagons was hydraulically powered but the venture was not successful so it was used as a service tunnel for water and power cables

[@michaelmckernon9739]

Can't wait to watch it 2nit, ur a legend Matt, thanks alot 👍

[@TheGardener54uk]

you have some bottle matt, down there interesting place to explore

[@hahomy]

Lol Matt u do make me laugh brilliant video as always, barsards lol £200 all in the name of the channel and fans brilliant mate truly brilliant 👍

[@sallee7577]

This is Great .well done Guys.i watch your channel alot .be safe.And Godbless 🙏 ❤ 👏

[@steveknight8046]

That was really interesting to watch, I'm going to go and read about the company now. There must be miles and miles of disused tunnels under London, which the people walking above are oblivious to. I wonder if there are any maps that identify them all? If there are, I doubt they are available in the public domain.

[@kevinbailey9405]

Oh yes they are there you go

[@kurtsoderberg]

Nice and straigt! no chance of getting lost, and it will put a nother 3 cm on youre file pile.

[@andrewmawson6897]

Hydraulic mains were high pressure WATER not steam !

[@larrymullins3853]

Opening music brings me back to Bali. 🤣🤣

[@Trish1]

Oh dear - after all that climbing and walking!! ... thanks for the filming and history of the pipes - shame about outcome but glad for Glen 😊 PS The Tower did look lovely at night 😊

[@LeTon75]

I dnt understand why that door was open ? Thats extremely strange 😮

[@hjaspere]

exciting stuff this - during my visit in 94 me and my dad walked the public tunnel in the Greenwich area - this one looks way more like your pair of shoes

[@leebryant1973]

U need the first 2 floats up for it to pump Matt the 3 one starts the second pump don’t touch the last 1 it’s a high level alarm m8

[@ottersdangerden]

Dry erase and left handed people we erase as we write...

[@21ld48]

They’re oil pipelines for anyone who’s wondering

[@margaretparker8781]

Liked the vlog from Margaret P

[@creepydragonnation]

Great video buddy hope your well

[@nellennatea]

Thanks for the explore under the Thames. Reminds me of that spin off of Dr.Who where they go down to their undergound base from like a thing like you went into this tunnel from. What was it called? Torchwood.

[@mikesplunge5070]

Great video but one massive error, the London Hydraulic Company didn't pump steam, they pumped ordinary bog standard Thames water under pressure, you're correct however in that it was used for driving cranes, it also drove passenger lifts and operated the curtain in at least one of the big London theatres. It was sad though to read that you think Covid isn't real and to have to see you taking a piss. Never mind, otherwise a fabulous video.

[@milolouis]

Yep urinating in a tunnel is pretty bad behaviour. Explore but don't drop waste. And jeez you don't have to be smart to explore it seems?

[@danielgagliano6236]

We left the door open to this super duper secret spot

[@richardwarnock2789]

💘 the whole vidjo

[@deanshortland7194]

Nice to see some original stuff left in the tunnels and not ripped out for new shit. Hope glen made a great escape at the other side.

[@columbo7927]

An interesting walkabout Matthew thank you.

[@ThermoCoupleNZ]

Nice strong 4k stream there Matt so real I could almost smell and taste it :-) :-)

[@ThermoCoupleNZ]

@@bazahaza I felt like I should have paid some money at the end :-) it was that good

[@drscopeify]

Another great explore. It is interesting that the pipes are not insulated either they were abandoned pretty early or they had asbestos. I have a number of sump pumps in my basement unfortunately they don't last very long.

[@susanpye9821]

It was a very interesting video

[@ossieend]

The Tower Subway. Superceded by that blue bridge slightly downstream.

[@suzannebradbury]

I think I’ve come across you from josh,,? Anyway been watching some of your vids this last week and loving them. I don’t know what is so good about watching someone walk a tunnel and back again but it somehow is! I cannot believe they’ve fined you. I keep arguing about this on KZbin... it’s literally your income and you can’t work from home so...... I’d be arguing this one.

[@davidm3maniac201]

Its not essential work. He has no chance

[@suzannebradbury]

@@davidm3maniac201 you don’t have to be doing essential work. If it’s your main income and you cannot work from home, then it’s quite legal to be out. (Not suggesting walking through tunnel is entirely legal but that’s not what he was fined for was it? 😂😂)

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

Matt I met you in the odeon would love to come along on one of these bigger missions! Hope your well buddy

[@zerocompanyhq]

Gamelan music? Very nice 😀

[@tyrionlannister2876]

😆 nice leak on the decline down the ladder!! 🤣

[@neomaster007]

Crazy cool video

[@stevesvids]

Excellent explore Matt.... fascinating down there. How on earth did they construct that tunnel back in the day... probably a clay bed to The Thames ? They knew you were Urbex and not trrerrorrissts. The greeting you had was 4 cops wandering about with hands in pockets. 😄 The million dollar question is...... G????? What happened????

[@terrylee2518]

Those policeman was pretty slow there I would’ve arrested you and took you to the police station and took your word and just said to my colleague Lock the door then we go. Really interesting blog didn’t know that was there sorry about you know all the best from Terry

[@gs425]

The ones where you get caught are always the best to watch. Always feel tense when we get close to the money shot lol. Like you I was somewhat cynical, but sadly I have recently witnessed the first person I knew to get serious covid. It caused a stroke and he's lost his sight. Saw a specialist last week and is now registered blind as it is permanent sadly.

[@equaliser2265]

Yes my brother in law a gynecologist died within 4 weeks of getting it, he was 57, it is real.

[@gs425]

@@equaliser2265 sorry to hear that mate

[@TheSecretVault]

Yes there are people who seem suseptible to this type of stuff... I believe those who want to stay in and hide should do so and the rest of us who dont want to shouldnt have to. Sorry to hear your friend got ill.

[@georgesmith8113]

Busted!

[@pikeonatrike]

But never defeated

[@simonba9944]

@@pikeonatrike That's true! 👍🏻