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Times
7 days ago
- General
- Times
Hunting London's lost rivers — and nearly drowning in the Fleet
Every time I walk down Farringdon Road, I think about the time I nearly drowned. It was my own stupid fault. I am fascinated by London's lost rivers, the most formidable of which is the Fleet, which flowed from Hampstead to Blackfriars through King's Cross. This was once a major river flanked by mills and warehouses, but as it became increasingly stagnant, it was hidden away like an embarrassing relative and used as overflow for the sewer. And into this dark and putrid tunnel I descended one sunny afternoon, cheerfully defying the law in the company of two total strangers. It was all good fun for the first hour, when the water level began to rise ominously towards our waists. As we found ourselves flailing against a tide of filthy water, fat, floating rats and toilet paper, feet struggling to grip the slimy floor, I wondered: was this where it would end? Obviously not, but it felt a close-run thing at the time. I was working for Time Outand while journalists sometimes get official access to London's river-sewers I was young and reckless, so had instead contacted a couple of urban explorers I found on the internet. These are people who break into abandoned locations — tunnels are popular — and take photos, ensuring always to leave things exactly as they find them. It was frighteningly easy to pop a manhole and access the Fleet; you can get anywhere with a hi-vis vest and a couple of traffic cones. And it was genuinely thrilling to admire the fine brickwork of this dead river unbeknown to the world above, the noise of which sporadically filtered down through the grates. Unfortunately, on our way back somebody, somewhere, decided to flush excess water down the Fleet into the Thames — almost killing us. There are, fortunately, easier ways to find London's buried rivers. The Fleet's upper stretches are very visible in the form of Hampstead and Highgate Ponds but it's the subterranean elements that most intrigue. This once great river can sometimes be heard rushing underneath the street from a manhole cover in the road opposite the Coach pub on Ray Street in Farringdon, and if the Thames is low, you can see where it tips into the river under Blackfriars Bridge. But the best perspective comes from Holborn Viaduct — stand on the bridge and look up Farringdon Street; you can clearly see the Fleet valley and its impact on London's topography. • How 'See it. Say it. Sorted.' became Britain's most effective earworm Also rising from the hills of Hampstead is the Westbourne, which passes through Sloane Square Tube station in an iron pipe, carried across the District Line in its eternal voyage towards the Thames. The Westbourne's finest moment came when it was dammed to form the Serpentine but this is now fed by other means, the Westbourne having been diverted into an underground sewer in 1813. The last of the big three is the Tyburn, which starts in Hampstead and then runs down to Regent's Park, crossing the canal in a pipe built into a bridge. Shortly after, the Tyburn is rumoured to run in a channel through the garden of the home of the US ambassador — a glimpse of a lost London river that very few people will ever get to see. A good place to get a sense of the Tyburn is on the meandering Marylebone Lane, once an old riverside path. In Mayfair, Grays Antique Market claims its basement pond is part of the Tyburn, but this seems most unlikely. Imagine the smell! ALAMY GETTY IMAGES The Tyburn empties into the Thames directly opposite south London's great Effra. I once followed its meandering path — above ground this time, having learnt my lesson — in the company of a water diviner, who claimed she could detect buried water through some unspecified means involving a magical stick. The route her divining abilities took deviated wildly from what is known about the river, but it was raining at the time, so perhaps that interfered with the process. We did at least end at the correct point: alongside the MI6 building in Vauxhall. The Effra starts life in Norwood before wandering through Herne Hill and Brixton towards the Thames. Like many lost rivers, you get hints of the old river in street names — Effra Road, Brixton Water Lane — while a series of rust-coloured manholes have been introduced to the pavement that plot the river's course: one example is opposite Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill. Created in 2016 by Atelier Works, these are one of the best — indeed, one of the only — examples of London acknowledging its lost rivers. London has other buried rivers including the Walbrook in the City, Counter's Creek in west London and Bermondsey's fabulously named Neckinger, but it also has a buried canal. The Grand Surrey Canal once transported goods between Rotherhithe and Camberwell. It opened in 1810 but declined through the 20th century until, with breathtaking short-sightedness, it was filled with concrete in the 1970s. Gone, then, but not quite forgotten, if you look in the right place. The canal's basin is now Burgess Park, and its route can be seen in the rigidly straight canal-sized path that goes through the park from the Walworth Road towards Peckham. At one point, this path passes under a pleasant bridge with steel-lattice work painted bright red. The bridge was left behind when the canal was closed and now crosses the old towpath with joyful frivolity. Locals call it the Bridge to Nowhere. It's really a bridge to London's past and the waterways that still live beneath our feet.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside haunting theme park left abandoned for 18 years with empty stadium and decaying Ferris wheel
ABANDONED theme parks left to rot for years contain an entire empty stadium and rusting Ferris wheel. Despite almost two decades having passed, an empty landscape reminiscent of 1800s America still remains. 12 12 Urban explorer Lukka Bradburn, 28, had been investigating ghost towns left behind following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The dad-of-two from Manchester discovered an entire derelict colonial American town area with hotels, churches and restaurants. Western Village theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, in Japan, shut its doors in 2007. It originally opened in 1973 and was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies, Ultimately, the park later closed as a result of competition from Tokyo Disneyland. Lukka found an intact replica of Mount Rushmore, as well as a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. 12 12 12 The site also features mannequins depicting life in 'Wild West' America, while the gift shop was boarded-up and heavily damaged. Lukka found a prop gun on the floor and also an arcade with all the original machines. He also explored the remains of fellow attraction Kejonuma Leisure Land. This had once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region, until shutting in 2001. Lukka found a decaying ferris wheel, children's train rides and carousels. It closed following falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy. I visited eerie abandoned theme park once filled with laughter but now left frozen in time…it's like the apocalypse hit Lukka had been visiting Japan with some exploring friends when he found the parks after researching on Google Maps. Revealing both sites were easily accessed, he said: "The Western one had a bit of a fence but you could pretty much just walk in. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." Lukka added: "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes. It was quite overgrown." 12 12 He and his friends came across another urban explorer - a Japanese man who revealed he used to visit the park as a child. The man spoke limited English, but told the group how he'd returned to take photos of the park. Lukka is planning a return to Japan next year to explore more red zones - as well as abandoned island. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. It comes as an abandoned UK theme park is set to reopen as an adventure attraction. Adventure Wonderland opened in Bournemouth in 1992, with rides and rollercoasters based on Alice in Wonderland. The park was forced to close all of its outdoor rides back in 2023 due to "rising costs". New plans that have been submitted will see the theme park become a smaller adventure attraction. 12 12 12
Times
14-05-2025
- Times
10 of the best cities to visit in the US
I have lost count of the number of cities I've visited the US — not just for work as a travel writer, but for holidays and concerts, too. I've spent time in some of its best urban hubs (Austin, New Orleans) and some of its worst (Albany, I'm sorry). There are the underdog cities — the ones where people ask why you'd want to go there (one answer is because Detroit is exciting, entrepreneurial and full of incredible architecture). And then there are obvious candidates such as Miami, which I've visited both with my cocktail connoisseur friend, Tom, who loved the LGBT clubs, and solo, both trips being equally fun in different ways. Those are just a handful of the US cities I love — below, you'll find plenty more. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Detroit is sometimes unfairly judged on its history — the once prosperous city, home of Ford motors and more, fell into huge decline during the second half of the last century, so much so that there are tours of the skeleton remains of factories, warehouses and theatres. The revamp and official reopening in 2024 of the once glamorous, then derelict Michigan Central Station symbolised a new era for the birthplace of Motown music. But there had been signs of change and renewal for decades, with fresh, independent restaurants and great community initiatives: the city has a true entrepreneurial spirit. The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of my favourite galleries in the country (the building alone will stop you in your tracks) and a visit to the Motown Museum is a must. The watch brand Shinola made its start in the city, and has its own very cool hotel, too. Newmarket Holidays' ten-day Music Cities of America tour of venues around the Great Lakes takes in Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Washington. • Read our full guide to the US There's no shortage of superb cities to visit in California, but San Diego takes the state's top spot for me. There are many reasons I love it — the beaches and the outdoor pursuits, from kayaking to surfing, for a start. But the best bit is its food scene. The city's location, right on the border with Mexico (you can hop over to Tijuana for taco tours and tequila) means that you'll find Cal-Mex cuisine at its best — lightly battered fish tacos squeezed with lime, seafood platters, huge salads and every hot sauce imaginable. From the outside it's a riot of colour; inside, the contemporary bedrooms are a little more grown up. And the downtown location of Staypineapple, Hotel Z, is great too. This fully guided 13-day group tour from Globus takes in all the big hitters of California, finishing up in San Diego. • Read our full guide to California• Best things to do in California There's one city in the US that I urge everyone who loves beaches to visit — Miami. It's a place that has it all — an exciting contemporary art scene (head to Wynwood for that), warm Cuban culture and hospitality in Little Havana and beautiful architecture in the form of candy-coloured art deco hotels. Then there are those seemingly never-ending stretches of sand: the city is a great spot for winter sun, especially if you're looking for a lively atmosphere, LGBT-friendly nightlife and great food. Grab a counter seat and people-watch at La Sandwicherie. A seafront location, contemporary rooms and excellent spa make Loews Miami Beach Hotel a favourite. Virgin Atlantic Holidays has reasonable flight and hotel packages for stays in Miami. • More great hotels in Miami• Discover our full guide to Florida Providence is not as well known as its neighbours, including Boston, which is about an hour's drive north. But the under-the-radar Rhode Island capital, once one of the richest in America thanks to its textile, tool and jewellery industries, is a destination for certain travellers — namely those keen on dining in the restaurants of the country's next big-name chefs. Why? Well, the city is home to some of the USA's best culinary schools. But it's not all about fancy dining: you'll find entrepreneurs opening doughnut shops and fried chicken shacks alongside award-winning restaurants, plus old-school Italian delis in the Federal Hill neighbourhood. Aloft Providence Downtown is a fuss-free but stylish hotel in the centre of the city. Costsaver's ten-day tour wraps up Providence, Cape Cod, Vermont and more in one big trip. Texans — and visitors to the state — will tell you that left-leaning Austin feels very different to the rest of the state. It has a much more relaxed vibe than Dallas and Houston, and operates with the motto 'Keep Austin Weird'. A lot of what you do here should be outside: there are outdoor swimming lakes and municipal parks with so much to do that they could rival theme parks, making it a great city for kids. The best bit may just be the independent restaurants and bars, from an incredible barbecue scene (and vegan food trucks for balance) to festoon light-lit beer gardens, where you can sip locally brewed beers and enjoy live music and line dancing. It's a city that will sweep you away with its effortlessly cool yet unpretentious atmosphere. Hotel San Jose is a mellow, beautifully decorated former motel with a colourful small pool area. Travelbag's 12-night self-drive trip takes in Austin and other big Texan cities. • Best US road trips The city of Scottsdale is often overlooked in Best of the US lists — it's just 30 minutes down the road from Phoenix, Arizona's capital, after all. It's smaller, more relaxed and — whisper it — far cooler, with epic desert hikes on its doorstep, lush golf courses, very hip spa hotels and great independent boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Its location makes it a handy base for day trips to the Grand Canyon and it's a great tag-on to any California trip. Don't miss a stroll around Taliesin West, the former home of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mountain views and a slick spa combine at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, just a ten-minute taxi from the old town. Cosmos' Western Wonders group tour takes in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Palm Springs and more. • Best US national parks If you were to visit just one city in the US, I'd make it New Orleans. It's impossible to not be immediately captivated by NOLA, a city that's adored by every visitor, whatever their intentions. Some visit for food and nightlife, others for the historic architecture, from small colourful homes on the outskirts to the ornate balconies of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Creole cuisine is big here, as is the po' boy (a Louisiana sandwich), but there are other foodie spots to love — from burgers at the counter at moodily lit Port of Call to cheese and wine with a side of live jazz in the garden at Bacchanal. Music is everywhere — hop between bars and hear sensational solo musicians or bigger brass bands, from morning till late at night. Electric, colourful decor is just part of the reason that the Columns, a lovingly restored boutique hotel, is such a special stay. Exodus Adventure Travels has a ten-day New Orleans to Nashville group tour, taking in several soulful southern cities. • More great hotels in New Orleans• The ultimate guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans It would be remiss to write a list of the best cities in the US and not include New York. The sights of Manhattan are a must for first-timers: views from the top of the Empire State Building; pictures beneath the bright lights of Times Square; Central Park wanders. But there are plenty of other great ways to see the city, from kayaking along the Hudson River to joining an afternoon sailing trip (book via Airbnb Experiences), tacking past the Statue of Liberty. Brooklyn has soared in popularity over the past decade thanks to its restaurants and independent shops, but don't bypass Queens for food (Flushing is home to the city's largest Chinatown), or the Bronx, with its Beer Hall in an old-school food hall (deli meats and huge sandwiches) in Little Italy. Comfy beds, strong rain showers, reasonable prices and a location in the thick of the action makes Moxy NYC Times Square a great choice for first-timers. Cosmos has 11-day tours of the US, taking in Washington DC, Niagara Falls and plenty of time in NYC, too. • Best affordable hotels in New York• Best hotels in Brooklyn Neoclassical mansions on cobbled streets; leafy squares lined with oaks; wide, empty beaches just 15 miles away: Savannah is one of the prettiest cities in the south, and feels like a gentle, elegant escape in a country of thrumming cities. Its temperate climate also makes it a great choice during the UK's winter; you can still dine alfresco in one of the many quirky cafés and stroll streets that feel like an outdoor gallery. The city is really easy to walk around, and it's worth booking a walking tour to digest the fascinating history, from inns and churches to multi-storey mansions. Leave time to explore the sleepy stretches of sand and quaint neighbourhoods of Tybee Island. Bed down in Hotel Bardo Savannah, one of the city's most stylish and central stays. Intrepid Travel's eight-day Georgia History Trail tour has stops in Savannah, Charleston and Nashville. • Most beautiful places in America One of Denver's biggest claims to fame (aside from its location right by the Rocky Mountains) is that it's one of the most liveable cities in the US. Three hundred days of sunshine a year — or something close, at least, to the oft-repeated claim — certainly helps with that. There's plenty to pack in to a few days here, from the antique shops in SoBo to the smart food halls of downtown via excellent museums such as the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art and the kid-friendly Denver Museum of Nature & Science. That's before you head out on any hikes. There are hundreds of trails within a 20 to 60-minute drive from the city, with forest walks and more challenging mountain ascents. Inky blue paint and mahogany walls help make Life House, in trendy LoHi, one of the city's coolest stays. WeVenture Travel's three-day group tour of Denver and the Rocky Mountains is a great tag-on to a trip to the west of the US. • The ultimate US travel itineraries
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside the eerie abandoned airport once used as an RAF base where planes have been left to rot for FIVE decades - and why holidaymakers will never pass through it again
Harrowing images have revealed the eerie remains of Nicosia International Airport, where planes have been left to rot since the site was abandoned in 1974. The once-bustling transport hub, located in the Lakatamia suburb west of Nicosia, Cyprus, now stands as a haunting relic frozen in time. Images show the derelict terminal, decaying runways, and aircraft that have been left untouched for decades, creating an eerie time capsule of the island's turbulent past. Originally built in the 1920s as an RAF base, Nicosia International Airport played a crucial role in World War II, serving as a key stopover for military and civilian flights. By the 1950s and 1960s, it had become a major gateway for tourists, even attracting Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor. However, in 1974, conflict between Greek and Turkish forces led to its destruction and subsequent abandonment. The airport was officially closed to commercial flights following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it to deteriorate ever since. In 1977 the last commercial airline flights left Nicosia Airport under UN Special Authorisation, when British Airways engineers retrieved three stranded Cyprus Airways aircraft and flew them to London. Today, the airport lies within a United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) and remains largely off-limits to the public. Despite this, it has become a coveted location for urban explorers fascinated by its decayed grandeur and historical significance. Ben (31) from Cambridge, England, an urban explorer known online as 'Places Forgotten,' ventured to the airport alone to document its haunting remains. 'I wanted to explore this for about three years,' said Ben, 31, from Cambridge. Originally built in the 1920s as an RAF base, Nicosia International Airport played a crucial role in World War II , serving as a key stopover for military and civilian flights 'I decided to go and see it because, obviously, it's a very interesting historical site. 'I'd seen pictures of it, and I wanted to see it in person.' Ben described the site as a chilling time capsule, largely untouched since the 1970s. 'The most amazing thing about it was it's obviously been untouched since 1974. I've never explored an abandoned airport before, and the fact that it still had planes there was crazy. 'It was like a real-life time capsule. Hardly anybody ever gets to see it, and that's just amazing.' The haunting images serve as a stark reminder of Cyprus's divided history, with the airport standing as a ghostly monument to a conflict that reshaped the island. Despite its eerie silence, Nicosia International Airport remains a powerful symbol of the past, its derelict runways whispering stories of the thousands of travellers who once passed through its gates.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
Inside the eerie abandoned airport in holiday hotspot where planes have been left to rot on the tarmac for 50 years
UNBELIEVABLE IMAGES reveal the eerie remains of an abandoned airport in a holiday hotspot where planes have been left to rot on the tarmac for 50 years. The once-bustling transport hub Nicosia International Airport, Cyprus, now stands as a haunting relic - completely frozen in time. 9 9 9 Harrowing images show the abandoned terminal, decaying runways, and even aircraft that have been left untouched for decades. Originally built in the 1920s as an RAF base, Nicosia International Airport played a crucial role in World War II, serving as a key stopover for military and civilian flights. And by the 1950s and 1960s, it had become a major gateway for tourists, even attracting Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor. But in 1974, conflict between Greek and Turkish forces led to its destruction and, later, abandonment. The airport was officially closed to commercial flights following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it to rot from there on. In 1977, the last commercial airline flights left Nicosia Airport under UN Special Authorisation, when British Airways engineers retrieved three stranded Cyprus Airways aircraft and flew them to London. Now the airport lies within a United Nations Protected Area and remains largely off-limits to the public. But this hasn't stopped urban explorers from visiting the site with its decayed grandeur and historical significance. Ben, 31, who posts adventure content online, went to the airport alone to show its haunting remains. He said: 'I wanted to explore this for about three years. 9 9 9 'I decided to go and see it because, obviously, it's a very interesting historical site. 'I'd seen pictures of it, and I wanted to see it in person.' Ben described the site as a chilling time capsule, largely untouched since the 1970s. He added: 'The most amazing thing about it was it's obviously been untouched since 1974. "I've never explored an abandoned airport before, and the fact that it still had planes there was crazy. 'It was like a real-life time capsule. Hardly anybody ever gets to see it, and that's just amazing.' The haunting images serve as a stark reminder of Cyprus's divided history, with the airport standing as a ghostly monument to a conflict that reshaped the island. Despite its eerie silence, Nicosia International Airport remains a powerful symbol of the past. 9 9 9
