Hornsey Wood Reservoir Built In 1868 Used To Hold 5 Million Gallons Of Water

Known as Hornsey Wood Reservoir, this enormous underground reservoir in Finsbury park has decommissioned London because of fears of a collapsing roof. It was built in the 1860s, and the name Hornsey Wood Reservoir is painted on one of the walls in a classic Victorian typeface. The reservoir can hold up to 5 million gallons of water and its sheer size leaves you in awe.

The stunning location has attracted photographers and urban explorers who have dared to descend into its depths through a little-known manhole located inside the park. Matt Emmett got permission to have a look around and won the Architectural Photographer of the Year prize for a stunning picture of the reservoir. “Standing inside it is like being transported back to Victorian England,” he tells MyLondon. “It has an incredible atmosphere inside and visually is quite stunning. Repetition is a big part of its visual appeal and you can stand in its center and see repeating patterns fading into the distance in all directions.”

Image Credit: Matt EmmettImage Credit: Matt Emmett