Climate Change Threat to Tower of London and Greenwich National Maritime Museum

by Tom Chivers

Some of London's most famous attractions are in danger of disappearing and should be seen before they vanish, a guidebook warns.

The Tower of London is among the "endangered" icons given in Frommer's "500 Places to See Before They Disappear", as is Greenwich's National Maritime Museum.

Climate change, urban development and the ravages of time are destroying the famous landmarks, says Holly Hughes, author of the guide.

A spokesman for Frommer's guides agreed, saying: "For anyone living in London [the Tower of London] is a key part of our heritage.

"It has nearly 900 years of history and it is under threat because the land is sinking and that means it gets flooded regularly."

However, the claims were described as "sensationalist" by operators.

A spokesman for the Tower, Keith Cima, told the BBC: "We take prudent precautions to make sure we are prepared in the future if the water does come very high."

Rania Wannous of Visit London reassured Londoners that the Thames Barrier protected the capital's landmarks from flooding and that the list was premature.

"I think these claims are somewhat sensationalist and there is no doubt these iconic places are going to be around for generations to come."

London's Battersea Power Station, Little Green Street in Kentish Town, and Twickenham's Strawberry Hill folly are also described as under threat, as is the Holderness coast, in East Yorkshire.

Worldwide, the Florida Everglades, the Nazca lines in Peru, the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, parts of the Falkland Islands, New York's Little Italy and the Dead Sea are listed among the areas at risk.