Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel & Arches

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.

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.

Ceiling Art

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

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.

Graffiti Bins

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

Words of Wisdom.

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

Leake Street Arches

Channel 4 Headquarters, Westminster

 

Big 4.

Wednesday October 27, 2021.

It was a beautiful October morning as my youngest, Keilyn, and I made our way around London. Having stopped to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, we decided to go for a stroll in which Keilyn would be the navigator.

We headed south down Buckingham Gate and on to Artillery Row, before turning westward towards Great Peter Street. The smell of street food emanating from Strutton Ground was intoxicating, but it was the giant number '4', off to our right, which had Keilyn's attention. So, we crossed on to Horseferry Road to investigate. 

Channel 4 HQ.

Keilyn had soon put two-and-two together and realised that this was the home of Channel 4 television. We took some photos, trying not to get passers-by in the images, but, as it was close to lunchtime, this proved difficult.

We then headed up to Strutton Ground and enjoyed some street food, before continuing on our walk around London.

Shri Vallabh Nidhi Mandir Hindu Temple, Wembley

 

Shri Vallabh Nidhi Mandir Hindu Temple

Saturday September 11, 2021.

While wandering along Ealing Road, in Wembley, I was struck with the sheer craftmanship and architecture of this Hindu Temple.

Considering that the road is predominantly shops and housing along its length, give or take the odd surgery, a Mosque and Indian Community Centre, I was surprised to see this Temple, set back from the road.

Shri Vallabh Nidhi Mandir Hindu Temple

Unfortunately, there were tents being setup, on the grounds, with vans and people coming and going, so I couldn't enter the grounds to get a closer look. However, it will be a place that I look forward to exploring, when I get the chance.

Alperton Bus Garage Farewell Open Day

 

Alperton Garage Farewell Open Day

Saturday September 11, 2021

After 82 years of operation the Alperton Bus Garage ceased being operational on Friday September 10, 2021. The following day they opened up their doors and invited the public in to enjoy the various buses and chat with staff, for the final time.

Keilyn takes Erin for a ride.

Myself, Erin, Keilyn and my uncle Martin arrived at the depot a few minutes before the gates opened. Joining the queue we didn't have to wait long. A £2.50 entrance fee for adults (accompanied children were free), which would go to local charities was a small price to pay.

Centrewest (Preserved) BL81 (1977).

Westminster Station

 

Walls like catacombs.

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Most of the Unfinished City's underground stations have unique features or something that stands them apart from the others. The surface stations are different as they were all built to the same standard, although some, which were added later, were designed to stand out.

Supports, staircases & escalators.

My favourite underground station, from the extension of the Jubilee line, is Westminster, which has a uniqueness to it that I have not seen at any other subsurface station. From the giant box that you descend into, to the staircases, escalators and elevators all supported from giant steel pillars, it is like descending into the bowels of the Earth.

Structural supports.

The lighting is just right to show off the skill and workmanship that went in to constructing this behemoth of a station and, considering the depth to which you descend, this station only has four platforms: Circle & District line eastbound, Circle & District line westbound, Jubilee line eastbound & Jubilee line westbound.

'Station Box'

King's Cross Lighthouse

King's Cross Lighthouse

If you are ever in the King's Cross area keep an eye open and see if you can spot what looks to be a lighthouse, atop a flatiron-style building.

The building stands on the junction of Euston Road, Grays Inn Road, Pentonville Road and York Way and is an enigma to the area.

During recent years the building, and said lighthouse, were boarded up and awaiting reconstruction work, as the entire area was transformed. The lighthouse itself had been daubed with graffiti and looked to be falling apart, due to a lack of care and attention.

There are many stories and suppositions as to why there is what appears to be a lighthouse atop a building, miles from any serious navigational river, but none of these are confirmed.

It is possible that was just an architectural whim, or was meant as some grander scheme.

The most prevalent story is that it was built as a kind of advertising stunt, in the 1870-1880s, when the shop below was Netten's Oyster Bar. 

Following much regeneration, in the area, I was glad to see that the lighthouse had been rejuvenated, too, rather than have being removed or altered.

So, if you are ever near the plaza, outside King's Cross station, look across and take a look at this lighthouse, in the middle of a busy thoroughfare.

London Dungeon

 

It's time to scream

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Planning things to do in and around the Unfinished City is tricky at the best of times. With the pandemic affecting ticket sales and the capacity of attractions, planning becomes a major factor. Then, you have to wonder what the Morrissey girls want to do. Erin decided that we should visit the London Dungeon, which Keilyn seconded. 

Having visited the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the previous afternoon, stayed at a Premier Inn for the night, we were in the perfect position to make the most of our Sunday.

After breakfast we collected our things, from our room, and checked out of the hotel.

We then headed along the River Thames, towards the MillenniuM footbridge and St. Paul's Cathedral.

St. Paul's Cathedral.

From here we headed along Ludgate Hill to Fleet Street, from where we turned onto Essex Street and down onto the Victoria Embankment.

From here it was a short walk to Embankment Station, where we grabbed a drink and the girls made use of the facilities. 

We then headed across the Golden Jubilee Bridge and down on to the South Bank and the Queen's Walk. A spot of lunch and rest, was followed by the girls going for a ride on a Carousel.

Erin and Keilyn on the Carousel.

After being entertained by some of the street performers, that pepper the Queen's Walk, we headed off to the London Dungeon.