London Transport Museum: Hidden London Exhibition

 

Hidden London.

Friday August 26, 2022.

Since I still had some time off, before heading back to work, I decided to take Erin and Keilyn to London. Keeping our exact destination a secret from them we travelled, via London Underground, to Piccadilly Circus, where we stopped for some lunch, which we ate in the grounds of St Anne's church, Soho.

Suitably filled we continued along Shaftesbury Avenue to Charing Cross Road, where we turned left heading for Old Compton Street. Or, in fact, a grate in a traffic island through which you can peer down into a utility tunnel and make out a worn sign saying 'Little Compton Street'.

Little Compton Street sign, below street level.

We then headed down Earlham Street to Seven Dials, before heading along Mercer Street to Long Acre. From here we headed along Drury Lane and various other roads, which lead us to Covent Garden. A little perusal around the various market stalls before heading to our true destination... London Transport Museum.

Looking across at the entrance to the Hidden London Exhibition.

With our timed entry tickets we didn't have to queue and were ushered in within minutes of arrival. Taking the lift to level 2, we began our journey though London's transport history. But, that is a story for another time. This story is all about the Hidden London Exhibition, within the London Transport Museum.

Hidden London Exhibition

The Exhibition began by entering a 'disused' underground station and the paraphernalia that you find within the entrance, before leading you through the history of the closed stations. Why they were closed, how they were repurposed and, sometimes, their top secret use throughout the years. 

Aldwych station.

It was a fascinating experience where you could 'dine' at Down Street, see a map of King William Street station, the first underground station to be closed, and much more.

Erin and Keilyn dining at Down Street station.

King William Street disused tube station map.

There were interactive displays, like the telephone exchange, which Erin and Keilyn both enjoyed. A movie showed how some of the tunnels were used during the war by the Plessey defence electronics company, while other images showed what some of the tunnels looked like when they were converted to sleeping areas.

Keilyn takes the call and Erin connects it.

Peering through a door along a disused tunnel.

Posters showing the age of the closed tunnel. Terror of the Tongs (1961)

Bunks in a tunnel.

Disused by customers, but still in use by others.

Throughout the exhibition posters gave insightful bits of information and little known facts as you navigated this disused station and descended ever downwards.

Abandoned.

King William Street.

Highgate.

Adapted.

Secret Activities.

Secret Headquarters.

Plessey underground factory.

Protecting the Network.

Notice to Shelterers.

Weedkilling train.

The exhibition has been extended until autumn 2023 and is well worth visiting.

Hidden London Exhibition