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!

A Little Rock 'n Roll

When you think of the London tourism market, there are a few things you think of right away. 

The London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc.

You get the picture.

I think of the same things, but as my time in England begins to draw to a close, I've been making it a point to find hidden treasures. If you're a regular follower, you know I've found the location where the last D-Day briefing was among other gems. 

St. John's in Notting Hill 

One of the things that I've been interested in was learning more about the Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove area.  Knowing general history of the area especially with the notable musicians that hung out in the area in the 1960s and 1970s, I did a simple Google search to see if anything interesting sprung up for locations. Let's just say that I got more things to do than I expected! 

Last week, I hunted down two key places based on the Google search results that I got. 

The first? The building or rather house where Jimi Hendrix was found dead.  22 Lansdowne Crescent was the former Samarkand Hotel where Hendrix was found in dead in the basement in September 1970. 

Down the road, I found my second destination of the day. The Elgin Pub is a pub that I literally pass multiple times a day on my way to school, run errands, or just take in London life. Joe Strummer used to play and hang out at this local spot in Ladbroke Grove before he joined the Clash! 

The hidden treasures of London are my favorite! Stay tuned for what I find next! 

Luxembourg City!

Last weekend, I took a quick trip to Luxembourg City! 

As most readers will know, I am a huge advocate of traveling alone. It's a way to relax, think, and just grow in minute ways. So, this short trip was a solo one, and it was well worth it!

I flew out of the London City Airport bright and early on Saturday morning. I had never been to the City Airport before, but I will be going back! One of the quickest security lines, a silence policy, and a breathtaking view of the city during takeoff!

Upon my arrival in Luxembourg City and checking into my hotel which was just outside the main city centre, I ventured out to the American Cemetery. The American Cemetery in Luxembourg is to honor those men and women killed during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. General Patton is also buried in the Cemetery despite not dying there. 

It was a bit of a trek to the location because I did not have a car. Yet, thanks to TripAdvisor, there were fairly concrete directions via public transport. I took a bus ride for about 30 minutes, and then I had about a 20 minute walk on some backroads and makeshift paths. I'm sure I was a sight to see as I was trekking through the Luxembourg countryside!

When I got to the Cemetery, I found that I was the only one there. The Visitor's Center was closed. There was a guestbook outside under a small kiosk, and I had noticed that others had been present earlier in the day. Yet, I soon quickly looked around and realized I was the only one there.  It was a very moving experience as I took in the monuments and viewed the graves.

General Patton's Grave

After I returned to the city centre for a quick lunch, I grabbed a spot on the Hop-on-Hop-off bus to view the city!  Here are a few shots from places around  the city that I didn't have too much time to visit.

Building General Patton used for his HQ in WWII

European Investment Bank

Luckily, I was in Luxembourg on the first day of their Christmas Market! I grabbed a coffee with Baileys, some macaroons, and danced my merry way around the market looking at the crafts.

The rest of my evening was spent wandering around and taking in the old parts of the city that are separated by the valley.

Sunset

On Sunday, I had a few final hours of being a tourist before I headed back to London. I grabbed a quick coffee at the hotel before wandering back to the city centre to check out Notre Dame Theatre, the famous square of Place D'Armes, and the palace! 

Place D'Armes

Good Morning, Luxembourg!

Royal Palace

It was a great, quick weekend away! Perfect way to relax before the final few weeks of the semester!

And a bonus on my landing back in London? Flying by the Shard and Tower Bridge!

Tired of London, Tired of Life

I acquired a book called, "Tired of London, Tired of Life," awhile back. Essentially, it's a book detailing something new to do everyday in London. I'm a tourist at heart, so this book was made for me. 

A goal of mine this year is to finally complete all of the tourist attractions in London that I have never done. In 2010, I felt as if I was always on a marathon mission to get to the next big attraction whereas in the past year, the things I did in London were still big attractions, but off the beaten track, too! 

This past weekend, I did just that: find some off the beaten track tourist attractions, but spend some time with the favorites as well. 

On Saturday, I took off to find the location where the last D-Day briefing took place. It was actually quite close to my home in Hammersmith. Hammersmith is also an area that I've never really explored apart from the tube/bus station! 

The location was tucked into gardens where a school used to exist. Now, the cite is occupied by a college. You couldn't go inside or rather too close to the building due to construction works, but it was still a sight to see especially due to the significance of the plan that was finalized there. 

From there, I wandered around to my favorite areas of London: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, and St. James' Park.

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

Second Star to the Right & Straight onto Morning

On Sunday, I showed a fellow Syracuse alumna around Portobello Road before I committed to homework and waiting out the UK storm!

The Blue Door from the movie, Notting Hill 

How would you spend your day in London? Or any place?

Father-Daughter Eurotrip: Day 13

For our third day in France, we headed out on a day trip to see Normandy and the D-Day Landing Beaches. It’s an area that both my Dad and I have wanted to see.  The day started out with a two- hour drive to the Caen Memorial Museum. The Museum is dedicated to what happened leading up to World War II, during the War, and an exhibit focused on the Cold War. We only had time to do the first two portions.  The museum depicted specifics to France (the Holocaust, under occupation, and Normandy).   We ate lunch at the museum before heading off to begin the rest of the day viewing the beaches and the memorials.

Our first stop of the day after the museum was Le Pointe du Hoc.   We were able to view the beach from the cliff top as well as view old German pillboxes and structures used to house weapons.

Le Pointe du Hoc 

From there, we drove down to Omaha Beach.   We spent a few moments exploring the beach as well as the memorials to the American soldiers who lost their lives there.

Omaha Beach 

We were able to see the artificial harbor created at Arromanches and part of Omaha Beach. Most of the parts of the artificial harbor are still in tact.

Arromanches 

Before heading back to Paris, we had two more stops of the day. The first was the American Cemetery of Saint-Laurent. We were given about an hour to explore the cemetery, see the chapel, and see the memorial dedicated to the young American men who lost their lives. It was a very moving experience.

American Cemetery

American Cemetery

Finally, the last part of the trip for the day was to see Juno Beach where the Canadian Memorial is. Juno Beach and Omaha Beach accounted for some of the highest number of casualties during the battle. 

Lest We Forget

Today is both Veteran's Day in the United States and Remembrance Sunday in the United Kingdom. In 2010, I attended the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London to commemorate those who members of the British military forces who were killed in action as well as those who fought for freedom. When I went in 2010, I was also about ten-fifteen feet away from the Queen, other members of the Royal Family, and the Prime Ministers.  This year, I headed back to the Cenotaph to take part as a spectator in the memorial service. It was extra special today as the ceremony always takes place on the second Sunday in November, but rarely does it actually fall on November 11th.

After waking up around 5am, I was out the door by 5:45 to grab the first of two busses for the morning down to Westminster. Normally, I would have just gotten on the tube, but Sunday tube times run a bit differently. The weather this morning reminded me of Syracuse (minus the snow), so I was glad I bundled up! Thankfully, I reached Notting Hill Gate (the street) earlier than I expected, found the next bus stop, and hopped on the bus that took me to Parliament Square. Around 7am, Nicole and Jenny found me. Watching the sunrise of Big Ben, we soon realized that we were thankful to have gotten there so early. Lessons learned from 2010 when I also got there around 7am.

Right before we were going to enter security and down to the Cenotaph, we were supposed to be interviewed for BBC Radio One, but when security calls, we follow. As soon as we had been checked over, we took off- landing the front row standing room. Better than I had before!

Shortly before 10am, music started to be piped through the area around Whitehall and the Cenotaph.  Around 10:15, the various military bands as well as the troops started to parade. Incredible sight to see- especially with some of the Commonwealth countries sending troops over as well.

Once the hour approached 11am, members of various veterans groups, the clergy, Prime Ministers, and the Royal Family proceeded to enter the area. With our strategic location, we had the prime viewing of seeing the wreaths laid, being able to hear the young choir boys sing, and see the Royals.  In attendance were the Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince William, Kate, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Royal, and several other cousins/spouses in the royal family. Former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and John Major.

Queen Elizabeth laying her wreath

Kate looking down from the balcony with Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Prince William 

Following the wreaths being laid, prayers were said as well as several hymns were sung. The ceremony with the Royal Family ended with singing 'God Save the Queen.' Once the Royal Family, Prime Ministers, and Clergy left, there was a parade of veterans that lasted about an hour. It gave me chills to see all of them passing the Cenotaph.

Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince William 

PM David Cameron

It was a great day honoring veterans as well as seeing the Royal Family. If you are ever in London in November, it is worth going to the second Sunday ceremony.

Wreaths of the Royal Family