Aldwych Tube Station Tour

As some of you know, I was a history major at Syracuse. Part of the history major requirements was to take a senior seminar course in a subject area and produce an original thesis.  My subject area was Britain during the War, and I chose to write on the use of the Underground (tube) during the Blitz. I specifically looked at how sheltering in the tube did not break down social classes, but rather reinforced them. It was an interesting subject area, and one that I continue to read about.

At the same time, when I studied abroad in 2010, I became very interested in the tube. I spent tons of time reading about closed tube stations, the history of the tube, and interesting facts. For example, at Sloane Square, there is a tunnel that runs above the tracks that houses a small river that feeds into the Thames. There are also two disused platforms at Holborn Station. I could go on and on... I've done the London Transport Museum several times, and I've even read the ghost stories about the tube!

So, what does this all have to do with a blog post?

A few weeks ago, I got to tour the disused Aldwych Tube Station with a few friends! Aldwych Station closed to the public in 1994, and it is rarely open for tours. We grabbed tickets as soon as we saw it was announced. I had been trying to get a tour of a disused station for years!

Old Ticket Hall 

Aldwych initially opened in 1907 named the Strand. It was later renamed Aldwych once Charing Cross received the name Strand as well.  For the most part, the Station served as a shuttle train to Holborn station.  Even during construction, there were parts of the station never completed due to the fact that the initial passenger numbers were so low. Eventually, the shuttle service was only used during peak-hours. Aldwych closed in 1994 due to the expensive repairs the station required.

The first part of the tour led us down the spiral staircase to where the lift shafts were. We were able to see that one entire lift shaft was never completed during construction.

Elevator Shaft

From there, we were taken to the only operational station platform. If need be, it could still run today after a few minor repairs.

Platform 

Next Train Sign 

The platform was holding an old Northern Line train for us to peak into. As for this platform, it is the one commonly used for filming. The posters on this platform were used for old films. Some famous films that have been shot in Aldwych include Atonement and Mr. Selfridge.

We were then quickly ushered to the other platform. This platform had been out of use for longer than when the station used in 1994. Some parts of the track still remain due to the quality of wood used.

Time Standing Still 

Much of this platform is used for testing by Transport for London, now. There were a variety of tile patterns visible as well as paint schemes.

This platform was heavily used during the Blitz. This platform could shelter between 3000-6000 people on any given night.

This platform also allowed us to see some posters from days gone by as well as how Aldwych was initially known as the Strand.

We completed the tour by climbing the stairs back up to the street level to see the elevators (lifts) that were once used in the station.

This was one of the biggest things on my London Bucket List, and I was so glad to cross it off before I left!

Basildon Park

Last Friday, I took a day trip up to Basildon Park. 

I started off the day bright and early at Paddington Station to catch a commuter train to Goring.  I had to grab an early train as once I arrived in Goring, I had to catch the 11am bus to the estate. As it is a small town, there are irregular bus services. Thankfully, everything worked fine, and I got to the estate a bit before 11:30am.

Before I continue, Basildon Park has been used for numerous films and television shows.  The house, itself, has a cool history. But, part of the reason I went was to take the film tour at 11:30am. Most recently, Basildon Park was used in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice and the 2013 Christmas Special of Downton Abbey (season four).

The film tour provided an overview of how the house was transformed for the Downton Abbey episode that was shot there. The insides of the house were used for the Crowley's Hyde Park home with the front lawn being the setting for the Hyde Park scenes. It was fun exploring each room where a still was set up to help recall what was shot in each room.

Carson!

Mrs. Crowley

Room used as the ballroom for Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice 

Library

Following the tour, I explored the upper part of the house which showcased how the house had been modernized from the 1950s. 

While some of the grounds were shut down for maintenance, I did grab a few shots of the backyard.

Just a tiny backyard, huh?

Following a quick lunch, I ended up walking back to Goring as the bus schedule wasn't conforming to my schedule. I did get lost for a bit, but it helped me discover a few other small towns along the way!

Windsor Castle

The day after my last exam and celebrations, my friend, Josh, and I took a day trip up to Windsor. Yes, we can all be shocked that I hadn't made it up there in my entire time in England.

We grabbed a train out of Waterloo, and before we knew it...we were there! It took about an hour which was fairly quick for some day trips.

Windsor, the town, is exactly what you imagine it would be. Old buildings, cobblestone streets, some modern buildings, and a ton of monuments. 

To start the day, we took a duck tour. It was Josh's first duck tour! If you haven't done a duck tour in a city before, I say run and do one now. It tends to be a bit cheesy, but being a tourist eliminates those words from your vocabulary.

Back of Windsor Castle 

Entering the Thames River

Windsor Castle 

Windsor Castle

The Windsor duck tour started at the base of the castle, took us down to the base of the castle grounds, showed us where some of the horrific floods occurred this past fall, and then we cruised on the Thames. The cruise allowed us to catch a glimpse of the famous Eton College. 

Post the tour, we grabbed a pub lunch. As this all happened in my last week of London, I was adamant about eating traditional fare. Fish and Chips won over for lunch that day.

And, then...the sad part of the day happened. Windsor Castle closed early for some unknown reason. We were left on the outside looking in. While it was a bit disappointing, we looked at as much as we could and then wandered the town.

Cutest Phone Booth Ever?

Fitting Pub Name

As we all know that I'll go back to London sooner rather than later, I'll have to take another day trip up! 

Polo in the Park

I've been dying to go to a polo match since I was a little girl. 

The scene in 'Pretty Woman' where Julia Roberts gets to stomp the divots resonates with me very well.

The part of 'Winning London' with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen where they go to a polo match was something that I always wanted to do. Fairly sure I can still quote that part of the movie. 

So, as I enter my final weeks in London, I grabbed discounted tickets to Polo in the Park from the SU alumni club! This past Sunday, three of my friends and I ventured down to Putney for a match! 

The entire park was transformed for the perfect day out. From a Pimms Bus to the shopping venues to the location that I dubbed 'food truck heaven,' we had a fabulous time before the match started. 

While I am still a tad confused on the rules of the game, I attempted to follow the match. I do have to admit that it was one of the quietest sporting events that I have ever been. I wanted to cheer, so I had to keep that in check!

During what I deemed to be intermission, we got to stomp the divots! Truly made me feel like I was in 'Pretty Woman.'

It was a fabulous day out...even with getting a horrible sunburn! I would totally go to another match! 

Burghley House

This past Friday, my friend, Alex, and I jaunted up to Lincolnshire to check out Burghley House!

We left King's Cross around 8:30am, and we got off in Stamford around 10am. Stamford is England's finest stone town. The majority of the homes and buildings are made out of limestone.

Stamford Train Station

Stamford may look familiar to my fellow Pride and Prejudice fans. It was used as Meryton in the 2005 version of the movie.

No, sadly...the regiments were not around.

Alex and I took off on foot to Burghley House. It was a gorgeous day out, so we decided to walk rather than take a cab. I highly recommend this option as there are sidewalks all the way to the house as well as the opportunity to explore the English countryside.

Burghley House was used as Rosings in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. 

Are you sensing a theme yet?

This trip was reminiscent of the trip to Chatsworth House I did during the first year of grad school.

Sadly, the House, itself, was closed on the day we went. But, there was still tons to do.

First, we explored the grounds.

The Elizabethan gardens have been reconstructed based off of plans found in the house, and they were adjacent to the sculpture garden. 

Pond on Location

Gardens

A Big Bunny

Before we headed back into London, Alex and I feasted on traditional British fare at the restaurant in the house. Luckily, that was open, so we were able to peak a bit into how it was decorated.

It was a perfect day out of London to get some fresh air, share some laughs, and hunt for Mr. Darcy!

The Scotch Egg

British food tends to have a reputation. 

Some love it, but some hate it. 

I'm one of those people that secretly love British food - black pudding aside…

One of the things that I have always questioned was the Scotch Egg. I've been questioning what this food item is since I studied abroad in 2010, and up to a few days ago, I had yet to try one. 

This all changed when I read a Time Out article about the Scotch Egg, and well, what is inside it! According to the blurb in the Time Out article, the Scotch Egg was invented by Fortnum & Mason back in 1738.  It's essentially egg inside a sausage….Time Out notes that the scotch part has fallen off the bandwagon. 

The Food in Question: a Scotch Egg

So, I investigated. I picked up a package from my local Sainsburys along with other food as I was skeptical of making this a main part of my dinner. The package said it was already fully cooked, so I went the cold route. Side note, I was lazy that evening and turning on the oven was too much. 

The first bite…all meat. Not bad at all. Tasted like sausage and breadcrumbs.

Second and third bite? Same.

The egg

It took quite some time to get to the egg.

All in all, I ate it. All of it. 

It's not something that I would add to my diet everyday or even have one every week. It's up there in the foods that I'll eat if I have to (sausage rolls, pasties, etc).

Have you tried a Scotch Egg? What weird foods do you love?

Tower Bridge Exhibition

Since finishing Michaelmas term last Friday as well as my internship, I've had a lot of time on my hands. Free time is something that I rarely encounter, so I do try to take advantage of it! Apart from getting organized for next term and the job search process as well as working on capstone work, I've been trying to see more of London.

Despite having studied abroad for four months and living in London since last September, I've actually never done the exhibit at Tower Bridge. That is…until yesterday. I've down the Tower of London numerous times which always resulted in photos of Tower Bridge and the numerous jaunts across it. However, yesterday, I finally got to go inside the world famous bridge!

The exhibit starts with a quick elevator trip to the top and a video discussing the history.  The video is brief, but also features the worse depiction of Queen Victoria ever.  Anyways, once the film is done, you are allowed to explore the walkaways that connect the two towers. The walkways are now enclosed, but there are tiny windows that can be open to get the breeze and the best photo! 

London

The Shard at Sunset

Looking into Greenwich and Canary Wharf 

There is also a quick glimpse into the old engine rooms that were used to raise and lower each side of the road before electricity was introduced.

Spectacular views and at a fairly reasonable price cannot be beat! Make sure to check out Tower Bridge the next time you are in the area!