Latest news with #WarCabinet
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Forbes
Exploring London's Buried History: The Subterranean Tourist
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Wax work models are positioned in The Map Room in Cabinet War Rooms bunker, which has been preserved entirely unchanged since the second World War, on August 27, 2009 in London, England. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the day when the Cabinet War Rooms were used for the first time by Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet a week before the German invasion of Poland. (Photo by) Getty Images Beneath the world's great cities lies a hidden history, one of buried secrets, ancient passageways, and forgotten worlds. For adventurous travelers and history lovers alike, these underground spaces offer a rare chance to step back in time. The Subterranean Tourist Series is your guide to the hidden history that lies just below the surface of the world's iconic cities. Here's a look at London's buried past. Beneath the bustling streets of Westminster lie two of London's most powerful historical sites — the Churchill War Rooms and the Cabinet War Rooms. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet directed the British war effort during World War II from this secret underground complex. Preserved exactly as it was left in 1945, visitors can walk through the Cabinet Room, peer into Churchill's quarters, and explore the attached museum, which chronicles his life and leadership. It's a moving experience that brings wartime London vividly to life. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee lines). From the station, it's a short walk along Horse Guards Road. Ticket Information Hidden beneath the streets of Clerkenwell lies a marvel of underground engineering — the Mail Rail. Part of the Postal Museum, this unique miniature railway once transported millions of letters across London in complete secrecy. Now, visitors can ride through the original tunnels on a specially designed train and see audio-visual displays that tell the story of this subterranean delivery system. The museum showcases postal innovation, with hands-on exhibits for all ages. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Farringdon or Russell Square. Ticket Information Clink Prison Museum & Underground Vaults Underneath Southwark's cobbled streets, near London Bridge, the Clink Prison Museum offers a unique look into London's dark past. Built on the original site of the Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144, this underground museum recreates the grim conditions endured by inmates. Visitors can explore dimly lit corridors, view replicas of torture devices, and hear chilling tales of medieval justice. One of England's oldest prisons, it became a notorious symbol of cruelty, giving rise to the slang term "the clink." How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is London Bridge. Ticket Information The Vaults/Leake Street Arches Beneath Waterloo Station is a subterranean world of art and immersive creativity. The Vaults, an underground arts venue situated in former railway tunnels, is renowned for its experimental theatre productions, interactive performances, and neon-lit street art. With ever-changing exhibitions and events, the Vaults blur the line between performance art and history. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Waterloo. Ticket Information LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Queen Elizabeth II views stacks of gold in the vaults below the Bank of England with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on December 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland -) Getty Images Bank of England Museum/Gold Vault Tours Nestled beneath one of London's most important financial institutions are the Bank of England's rarely seen gold vaults. Although access is limited, occasional special tours allow visitors to glimpse the staggering quantity of bullion stored below ground. The museum, located above ground, explains the history of money and the role of the central bank, featuring interactive displays and historic artifacts. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Bank. Ticket Information London Transport Museum Depot The Acton Depot features exhibits on the history of the London Underground, including decommissioned Tube trains and subterranean service vehicles. It showcases the behind-the-scenes workings of the system that keeps London moving. The depot houses rare posters, architectural models, and artifacts from every stage of the network's development. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Acton Town. Ticket Information Euston Tunnels Beneath the modern bustle of Euston Station lies a ghostly network of unused tunnels, platforms, and passageways that once formed part of the early Underground. Now only accessible via special Hidden London tours, these forgotten spaces feature original signage, tiling, and eerie echoes of commuter life long since vanished. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Euston. Ticket Information Old Aldwych Tube Station Once a branch line station off the Piccadilly Line, Aldwych Station was closed in 1994 but still feels alive thanks to film shoots and special tours. The station served as a World War II bomb shelter and has been preserved in near-original condition. Period posters still adorn the walls, and rusting signage leads to tunnels that haven't seen commuters in decades. The station is a hidden cinematic icon, featured in films such as "V for Vendetta" and "Atonement." How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Temple or Holborn. Ticket Information London, England, United Kingdom - September 05, 2023 : Ancient stone staircase leading to the catacombs located under the colonnades of Brompton Cemetery. Sunlight. Natural colors. Architect : Benjamin Baud (1806 - 1875). Brompton Cemetery was established in 1840 and is located in West London. Abandoned since 1966, the cemetery is part of the "Magnificent Seven", a set of 7 former London cemeteries. It is owned by Royal Parks. getty Chislehurst Caves Beneath the quiet suburb of Chislehurst lies a sprawling maze of 22 miles of man-made tunnels known as the Chislehurst Caves. Dug initially for chalk and flint, the caves were later used for a variety of purposes, including a World War II air-raid shelter that housed thousands of Londoners. They've also served as a concert venue for The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. How to Get There: Nearest rail station is Chislehurst (Southeastern Railway). Ticket Information Brompton Cemetery Catacombs Hidden beneath one of London's most atmospheric Victorian cemeteries lie the Brompton Catacombs — a shadowy underworld of vaulted chambers and crypts. Initially built in the 19th century to meet the growing demand for burials, these catacombs were designed to resemble ancient Roman catacombs. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is West Brompton. Ticket Information Greenwich Foot Tunnel Built in 1902, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel allows pedestrians to walk under the River Thames from Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs. A marvel of early 20th-century engineering, the tunnel has remained open to the public since its completion. How to Get There: Access the tunnel near Cutty Sark DLR or Island Gardens DLR. Ticket Info London tower at Thames River water front getty Tower of London Contrary to urban legend there is no network of underground tunnels at the Tower of London. There are however a variety of subterranean spaces, not all of which are open to the public. Visiting them, you're surrounded by centuries of royal secrets, scandals, treasonous plots, and the fearsome power of England's monarchy. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Tower Hill. Ticket Information Imperial War Museum/Underground Air-Raid Exhibit Located within the larger Imperial War Museum, the reproduction of an underground air-raid shelter exhibit offers visitors a chilling sense of what life was like during the London Blitz. Reconstructed bunkers and immersive audio recreate the fear and resilience of civilians who took refuge below ground. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Lambeth North. Ticket Information St Bride's Crypt The crypt beneath the historic St Bride's Church on Fleet Street contains Roman pavements, medieval foundations, and even plague burial sites. It offers guided access to centuries of hidden London history. Visitors walk among ancient walls and tombs, uncovering stories that span from Roman London to World War II. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Blackfriars or St Paul's. Ticket Information Thames Tunnel/Brunel Museum The Thames Tunnel was the world's first passage built through soft ground beneath a navigable river. Designed by Marc Brunel and completed in 1843, it paved the way for modern tunneling techniques. Visitors can descend into the Grand Entrance Hall, which was once used for underground fairs and markets. The nearby museum explains its significance in London's growth, while the tunnel itself showcases the ingenuity of Victorian engineering. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Rotherhithe or Canada Water. Ticket Information These hidden gems reveal just a fraction of the history buried beneath London's streets. Mysterious, fascinating, and often overlooked, they offer an unforgettable entry point into the city's underground past. For any subterranean tourist ready to explore the layers beneath the surface, this is where the adventure begins. More From Forbes Forbes The Cheese Lover's Perfect Weekend: Three Days In London By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Whisky Lover's Perfect Weekend: Three Days In London By Joseph V Micallef Forbes 20 Places To Experience High Tea In London By Joseph V Micallef
Telegraph
27-02-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The nation is inspired by the stories of Victoria Cross winners
In 1917, while the blood and chaos of the First World War was still unfolding in Europe, the War Cabinet approved the founding of a museum dedicated to telling the story of the conflict, so that those who visited would then be able to point to exhibits and say, 'This thing I did'. From that point on, it has taken its place at the heart of Britain's national memory of conflict, telling the stories great and small that make up that past. Few, however, match those associated with the 200 or so Victoria Crosses on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, on loan from their eponymous donor. Just 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856. It is the highest honour any serviceman can receive, awarded for 'most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy'. Each one carries with it a story of near-unbelievable courage in defence of this country and its interests. Their continued availability, to a public perhaps more in need than ever of assistance in understanding the sacrifices made for the nation they live in, clearly serves a valuable purpose. Yet the Imperial War Museum now intends to close this display on June 1, returning Lord Ashcroft's medals to the peer, and consigning them to a secure vault away from the eyes and attention of the public. It is understood that despite taking the decision last July, the museum only chose to inform Lord Ashcroft on Tuesday. This is a poor way to treat a donor, and a poor way to treat a collection of such interest. In turn, it is perhaps time to consider the virtues of a national collection on permanent display.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The nation is inspired by the stories of Victoria Cross winners
In 1917, while the blood and chaos of the First World War was still unfolding in Europe, the War Cabinet approved the founding of a museum dedicated to telling the story of the conflict, so that those who visited would then be able to point to exhibits and say, 'This thing I did'. From that point on, it has taken its place at the heart of Britain's national memory of conflict, telling the stories great and small that make up that past. Few, however, match those associated with the 200 or so Victoria Crosses on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, on loan from their eponymous donor. Just 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856. It is the highest honour any serviceman can receive, awarded for 'most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy'. Each one carries with it a story of near-unbelievable courage in defence of this country and its interests. Their continued availability, to a public perhaps more in need than ever of assistance in understanding the sacrifices made for the nation they live in, clearly serves a valuable purpose. Yet the Imperial War Museum now intends to close this display on June 1, returning Lord Ashcroft's medals to the peer, and consigning them to a secure vault away from the eyes and attention of the public. It is understood that despite taking the decision last July, the museum only chose to inform Lord Ashcroft on Tuesday. This is a poor way to treat a donor, and a poor way to treat a collection of such interest. In turn, it is perhaps time to consider the virtues of a national collection on permanent display. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
