Showing posts with label Leake Street Arches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leake Street Arches. Show all posts

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Walking with Erin and Summer: Piccadilly Circus to Covent Garden... and beyond

River Thames with low cloud

Saturday December 28, 2024.

Erin and Summer, who had joined us on our last family walk, wanted to go to London to see Chinatown and have dinner out. So, after agreeing we set off as normal with a train to Baker Street and, to save time, a Bakerloo line train to Piccadilly Circus, from where our walk would begin.

World Time Linear Clock, Piccadilly Circus

Although they only wanted to visit Chinatown and eat out, I said that I would take them to some other places, as Summer explained that she didn't really get to see the sites. So, the first thing I pointed out was the World Time Linear Clock, at Piccadilly Circus station.

Chinatown, Wardour Street

Chinatown was busy, as it always is, as meandered our way through the throng of people queuing to dine, tourists snapping photos of the gates and those just going about their daily business. The smell of the various foods, from restaurants and bakeries, was intoxicating, making me feel hungrier than I actually was. Unfortunately, Erin and Summer had already planned where we having lunch, so I would have to wait.

Wonder Woman Statue

After walking through Chinatown we found ourselves on Leicester Court, where we saw the statue of Wonder Woman, before heading east, crossing Charing Cross Road onto Cranbourn Street and then Garrick Street. We walked up King Street and entered Covent Garden, where we watched a street performer juggling knives on a tightrope, before heading into the Apple Market building to peruse the stalls. 

Covent Garden Street Performer

At the northern end another entertainer was performing Shakespeare while balancing on a free-standing ladder. He followed this Shakespearean effort by juggling three clubs, while still atop the free-standing ladder. He was, quite possibly, one of the most entertaining performers that I had seen in a while. Erin and Summer enjoyed his performance, too, placing a £5 note in his hat at the end of his act.

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel & Arches

London The Unfinished City
Spray Art Graffiti 

Saturday November 27, 2021

Beneath Waterloo Station lie the Leake Street Arches and the famous Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel. It is this 300 metre (985 feet) wall that I had the good fortune to visit on one of my latest walks.

London The Unfinished City
Judge Dredd.

Every piece of wall was covered, including the ceiling and rubbish bins, with amazing artworks. Some had been up for a few hours, others were still wet while some were still being created.

London The Unfinished City
Ceiling Art

It was awe inspiring watching the artists work and to see their ideas come to life, in front of me. 

London The Unfinished City
Heading into the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel.


Thankfully it was a chilly afternoon, so not too many people were in the tunnel. I would think that in the summer months the heat from people mixing with the spray paint fumes could prove to be a little intoxicating.

London The Unfinished City
Graffiti Bins

Bars, restaurants, London’s first board game cafĂ©, kitchens, venue spaces and much more are all situated in the various arches, of which there are eight, beneath Waterloo Station.

London The Unfinished City
Words of Wisdom.

If you are ever in the area, or, even if you are not, you should definitely pay this place a visit.