Illuminated River
@illuminatedriver.bsky.social
World’s longest public art commission, illuminating nine central London bridges along the River Thames.
www.illuminatedriver.london
www.illuminatedriver.london
The South Bank Lion started life sitting on top of the Red Lion Brewery, until the building was badly damaged by fire in 1931.
January 28, 2026 at 12:03 PM
The South Bank Lion started life sitting on top of the Red Lion Brewery, until the building was badly damaged by fire in 1931.
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.
We caught up with award-winning photographer and course leader Nigel Wilson to find out.
January 26, 2026 at 2:11 PM
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.
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
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
January 24, 2026 at 9:31 AM
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
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
Our popular Illuminated River walking tours are back for 2026.
Wrap up warm and experience the city differently - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
Wrap up warm and experience the city differently - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
January 21, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Our popular Illuminated River walking tours are back for 2026.
Wrap up warm and experience the city differently - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
Wrap up warm and experience the city differently - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
The only kind of #BlueMonday content we want to see 💙
📸 Southwark Bridge by Paul Riddle. Waterloo Bridge, Lambeth Bridge & Millennium Bridge by James Newton.
📸 Southwark Bridge by Paul Riddle. Waterloo Bridge, Lambeth Bridge & Millennium Bridge by James Newton.
January 19, 2026 at 8:11 AM
The only kind of #BlueMonday content we want to see 💙
📸 Southwark Bridge by Paul Riddle. Waterloo Bridge, Lambeth Bridge & Millennium Bridge by James Newton.
📸 Southwark Bridge by Paul Riddle. Waterloo Bridge, Lambeth Bridge & Millennium Bridge by James Newton.
The video category of the Thames Lens 2026 competition, sponsored by Illuminated River, has been extended to 12 February - so there's still time to get out and explore the River Thames through a creative lens.
January 17, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The video category of the Thames Lens 2026 competition, sponsored by Illuminated River, has been extended to 12 February - so there's still time to get out and explore the River Thames through a creative lens.
Warm up a winter evening in London, on a NEW weekday sailing of the Official Illuminated River Boat Tour, with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
January 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Warm up a winter evening in London, on a NEW weekday sailing of the Official Illuminated River Boat Tour, with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Shining a Light On: Winter Light at @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
This weekend is your last chance to discover 11 outdoor artworks that play with light and colour, across the Southbank Centre site.
Image: Southbank Centre / Christoffer Askman
This weekend is your last chance to discover 11 outdoor artworks that play with light and colour, across the Southbank Centre site.
Image: Southbank Centre / Christoffer Askman
January 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Shining a Light On: Winter Light at @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
This weekend is your last chance to discover 11 outdoor artworks that play with light and colour, across the Southbank Centre site.
Image: Southbank Centre / Christoffer Askman
This weekend is your last chance to discover 11 outdoor artworks that play with light and colour, across the Southbank Centre site.
Image: Southbank Centre / Christoffer Askman
In his new book Coding Light, Illuminated River artist Leo Villareal reflects on how his artwork for Westminster Bridge reveals the subtle, elegant beauty of its structure.
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
January 10, 2026 at 9:02 AM
In his new book Coding Light, Illuminated River artist Leo Villareal reflects on how his artwork for Westminster Bridge reveals the subtle, elegant beauty of its structure.
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
Find out more: https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
We caught up with award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson ahead of his new 'mobile only' photography workshops.
January 7, 2026 at 3:20 PM
We caught up with award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson ahead of his new 'mobile only' photography workshops.
The @thamesfesttrust Thames Lens competition 2026 closes on Friday, so there's still time to submit your entry.
Thames Lens encourages photographers to get out and explore the River Thames - and this year there's a new video category sponsored by Illuminated River.
Thames Lens encourages photographers to get out and explore the River Thames - and this year there's a new video category sponsored by Illuminated River.
January 5, 2026 at 7:10 AM
The @thamesfesttrust Thames Lens competition 2026 closes on Friday, so there's still time to submit your entry.
Thames Lens encourages photographers to get out and explore the River Thames - and this year there's a new video category sponsored by Illuminated River.
Thames Lens encourages photographers to get out and explore the River Thames - and this year there's a new video category sponsored by Illuminated River.
After the festive bustle, start the year with something for you - an Illuminated River tour.
Choose from guided walks with City of London Guides, boat tours with Thames Clippers or photography workshops with Nigel Wilson, and enjoy a bright start to 2026.
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
Choose from guided walks with City of London Guides, boat tours with Thames Clippers or photography workshops with Nigel Wilson, and enjoy a bright start to 2026.
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
January 3, 2026 at 10:01 AM
After the festive bustle, start the year with something for you - an Illuminated River tour.
Choose from guided walks with City of London Guides, boat tours with Thames Clippers or photography workshops with Nigel Wilson, and enjoy a bright start to 2026.
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
Choose from guided walks with City of London Guides, boat tours with Thames Clippers or photography workshops with Nigel Wilson, and enjoy a bright start to 2026.
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
When you watch the London fireworks this New Year's Eve, just glance down for a moment.
The lights on London's bridges aren't part of the show - they're part of the city.
#NYE #NewYearsEve2026 #LondonNYEFireworks
The lights on London's bridges aren't part of the show - they're part of the city.
#NYE #NewYearsEve2026 #LondonNYEFireworks
December 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
When you watch the London fireworks this New Year's Eve, just glance down for a moment.
The lights on London's bridges aren't part of the show - they're part of the city.
#NYE #NewYearsEve2026 #LondonNYEFireworks
The lights on London's bridges aren't part of the show - they're part of the city.
#NYE #NewYearsEve2026 #LondonNYEFireworks
"The combination of light and space and code... was an epiphany I had, that changed the path of my work"
December 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM
"The combination of light and space and code... was an epiphany I had, that changed the path of my work"
Happy Christmas from all of us at Illuminated River, and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's taken a moment to enjoy the artwork in 2025 - it's been wonderful to see how you make it part of your London.
December 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Happy Christmas from all of us at Illuminated River, and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's taken a moment to enjoy the artwork in 2025 - it's been wonderful to see how you make it part of your London.
There's no shortage of lights in London, especially at this time of year.
But the subtle movement of Illuminated River brings a different kind of glow to the Thames - ideal if you need a moment of calm, in a city that never stops moving.
But the subtle movement of Illuminated River brings a different kind of glow to the Thames - ideal if you need a moment of calm, in a city that never stops moving.
December 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
There's no shortage of lights in London, especially at this time of year.
But the subtle movement of Illuminated River brings a different kind of glow to the Thames - ideal if you need a moment of calm, in a city that never stops moving.
But the subtle movement of Illuminated River brings a different kind of glow to the Thames - ideal if you need a moment of calm, in a city that never stops moving.
Happy Winter Solstice ✨ here’s a little warmth from the world's longest public artwork, to illuminate the shortest day of the year. It gets lighter from here.
Images James Newton, Paul Crawley
Images James Newton, Paul Crawley
December 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Happy Winter Solstice ✨ here’s a little warmth from the world's longest public artwork, to illuminate the shortest day of the year. It gets lighter from here.
Images James Newton, Paul Crawley
Images James Newton, Paul Crawley
"It was a symbol of resilience for London... something that brought people together."
Artist Leo Villareal talks about creating Illuminated River against the backdrop of Covid, in his new book Coding Light, which is out now.
https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
Artist Leo Villareal talks about creating Illuminated River against the backdrop of Covid, in his new book Coding Light, which is out now.
https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
December 17, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"It was a symbol of resilience for London... something that brought people together."
Artist Leo Villareal talks about creating Illuminated River against the backdrop of Covid, in his new book Coding Light, which is out now.
https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
Artist Leo Villareal talks about creating Illuminated River against the backdrop of Covid, in his new book Coding Light, which is out now.
https://www.phaidon.com/en-gb/products/leo-villareal-coding-light
We interrupt your scroll to bring you this moment of calm at Southwark Bridge.
Take a deep breath and drop your shoulders.
Focus on the gently moving lights and serene musical composition by students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Share with a friend who needs a moment like this ✨
Take a deep breath and drop your shoulders.
Focus on the gently moving lights and serene musical composition by students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Share with a friend who needs a moment like this ✨
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
We interrupt your scroll to bring you this moment of calm at Southwark Bridge.
Take a deep breath and drop your shoulders.
Focus on the gently moving lights and serene musical composition by students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Share with a friend who needs a moment like this ✨
Take a deep breath and drop your shoulders.
Focus on the gently moving lights and serene musical composition by students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Share with a friend who needs a moment like this ✨
Give a little glow this Christmas - gift an Illuminated River tour 🎁
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
December 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Give a little glow this Christmas - gift an Illuminated River tour 🎁
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
https://illuminatedriver.london/whatson
On this day in 1945, the current Waterloo Bridge was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Herbert Morrison - but it wasn’t the first to cross this stretch of the Thames.
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
On this day in 1945, the current Waterloo Bridge was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Herbert Morrison - but it wasn’t the first to cross this stretch of the Thames.
The London glow-up that's not just for Christmas ✨
December 7, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The London glow-up that's not just for Christmas ✨
Illuminated River photography courses are now booking for January to March 2026 - including NEW "mobile only" workshops.
Join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson on an evening photographic adventure along the Thames, and learn how to capture great photos at night.
Join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson on an evening photographic adventure along the Thames, and learn how to capture great photos at night.
December 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Illuminated River photography courses are now booking for January to March 2026 - including NEW "mobile only" workshops.
Join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson on an evening photographic adventure along the Thames, and learn how to capture great photos at night.
Join award-winning photographer Nigel Wilson on an evening photographic adventure along the Thames, and learn how to capture great photos at night.
Our popular walking tours are back next year, with brand new dates for 2026.
Wrap up warm and experience the city at its most magical - under the dark winter skies - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
Wrap up warm and experience the city at its most magical - under the dark winter skies - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Our popular walking tours are back next year, with brand new dates for 2026.
Wrap up warm and experience the city at its most magical - under the dark winter skies - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
Wrap up warm and experience the city at its most magical - under the dark winter skies - by taking a walking tour along the Thames.
Have you ever wondered about the decorative tiles below Blackfriars Bridge?
They tell the story of the bridge, which dates from 1769.
The original Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Robert Mylne, a Scottish architect who was aged just 26 at the
time.
@citybridgefndn.bsky.social
They tell the story of the bridge, which dates from 1769.
The original Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Robert Mylne, a Scottish architect who was aged just 26 at the
time.
@citybridgefndn.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Have you ever wondered about the decorative tiles below Blackfriars Bridge?
They tell the story of the bridge, which dates from 1769.
The original Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Robert Mylne, a Scottish architect who was aged just 26 at the
time.
@citybridgefndn.bsky.social
They tell the story of the bridge, which dates from 1769.
The original Blackfriars Bridge was designed by Robert Mylne, a Scottish architect who was aged just 26 at the
time.
@citybridgefndn.bsky.social