British Architecture Walk: Chennai's Heritage

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Chennai

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Embark on a fascinating British Architecture Walk in Chennai and discover iconic landmarks from the colonial era. Explore the blend of British and Indian architectural styles in Central Railway Station, Ripon Building, Fort St George, and more.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Chennai Egmore - The Egmore railway station, over a century old, stands as one of the earliest structures built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Designed by the renowned Henry Irwin to surpass London’s Charing Cross station in size, it was constructed by Samynatha Pillai. The building beautifully merges Gothic and Dravidian architectural styles, making it an ideal starting point for exploring British architecture in Chennai.
Chennai Central Railway Station - Built in 1873 in the Gothic Revival style by British architect George Harding, the Central Railway Station was later modified by Robert Chisholm, who added the central clock tower and Travancore caps on the main towers. Today, this station serves over 350,000 passengers daily.
Victoria Public Hall - Opened in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, Victoria Public Hall has hosted various events, including public meetings and film screenings. Designed by British architect Robert Chisholm, the hall is a prime example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. It was constructed by Namberumal Chetty, who had built several public structures in Madras.
Greater Chennai Corporation Office - The British Architecture Walk continues to the Ripon Building, commissioned in 1913. Designed by G.S.T. Harris and built by Loganatha Mudaliar, the building is named after Lord Ripon, a Governor-General of British India known as the father of local self-government in Chennai. Today, it houses the office of the Mayor of Chennai.
Southern Railway Headquarters - Our next stop is the Southern Railways headquarters. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, this building was designed by N. Grayson and constructed by Samynada Pillai, completed in 1921. It was one of the first buildings in India to use reinforced concrete.
Napier Bridge - Constructed in 1869 across the Coovum River and named after British governor Francis Napier, Napier Bridge connects Marina to Fort St George. The bridge was widened and converted into a concrete structure, opening to the public in July 1943. It is often used by the media to represent Chennai.
University of Madras - The Senate House, the administrative center of the University of Madras, is located along Marina Beach. Built by Robert Chisholm between April 1874 and 1879, the Senate House is a stellar example of Indo-Saracenic architecture with Byzantine features. It includes a convocation hall, porticos, a parapet, meeting halls, and a library.
Victory War Memorial - Originally called Cupid’s Bow, the Victory War Memorial commemorates the Allied victory in World War I (1914–1918) and later World War II (1939–1945). It honors those from the Madras presidency who lost their lives in these wars.

What's Included

Tea and coffee
Local guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges

What's Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

Additional Information

The British Architecture Walk is an engaging walking tour in Chennai that explores the city’s heritage from colonial times to the present day. Chennai, previously known as Madras, served as the capital of Southern British India. Numerous significant monuments were constructed during British rule, many of which still dominate Chennai’s skyline. This tour visits key landmarks built during the British era, showcasing an architectural style that blends British and Indian elements. The tour begins at the Central Railway Station and proceeds to Ripon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Napier Bridge, and concludes at the Madras University building.

Our company is dedicated to empowering local communities. We train and employ local guides and support local businesses to ensure that travel expenditures benefit the local economy.

Location

Chennai Egmore

Gandhi Irwin Road

Meet our guide at the main entrance of Egmore Railway Station

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(46 Ratings)

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Roam29065241929

Jun 13, 2024

Individual experience - Had a great experience knowing facts and history. Had been to most of these places but haven't seen many monuments introduced to us. Now will look more for such details in places and trying to understand the history behind the monuments.