Hidden London Hangouts

2020 · 60m · Documentary

Each week, join Chris Nix, Siddy Holloway and Laura Hilton-Brown from the Museum’s Hidden London team and host Alex Grundon as they explore the secret and mysterious spaces of London’s transport system. In series 1, the team focus on the different sites in the Hidden London tour programme, sharing historical titbits that are revealed on the tours as well as the behind the scenes processes they go through to make the tours such as success. In series 2 and 3, the team turn their hands to a huge number of various transport topics such as moquette, tiling, Johnston type face, posters and much, much more!

Episodes

▶1. AldwychJoin our brand new Hidden London Hangouts to discover the secrets of the Underground with the Museum's Assistant Director Chris Nix, Laura Hilton Brown and Siddy Holloway from the Hidden London team and self confessed Tube geek Alex Grundon. In the first episode, the team focus on the history of Aldwych station.▶2. Charing CrossIn this episode our expert team takes you behind the scenes at Charing Cross station. Explore the station’s history and find out how it came to be used as a filming location for popular TV shows and blockbuster films, among other things.▶3. Clapham South deep-level shelterIn this episode our expert team takes you behind the scenes at Clapham South deep-level shelter. Hear about some of the extraordinary stories of those who sheltered here from the Second World War onwards, including Caribbean migrants arriving on the Empire Windrush.▶4. Down StreetIn episode 4, Alex Grundon and the Hidden London team explore the secret world of Down Street station and how it became covertly transformed into the Railway Executive Committee's bomb-proof headquarters during WW2.▶5. 55 BroadwayThe team go up instead of down in this episode, and explore London's first skyscraper, 55 Broadway. As London Underground’s iconic headquarters, this building was considered radical and offensive when unveiled in 1929, but in now classified as a Grade I listed marvel of art deco London.▶6. EustonThe London Transport Museum's Hidden London team turn their attention to Euston station in episode 6. From its humble beginnings on the corner of Melton and Drummond Streets, to its brand-new future as the London terminus for HS2, Euston station has an intriguing history and future to reveal. This week, the team are joined by David Bownes who casts his expert eye on the brilliant poster advertising and design that visitors can enjoy during a Hidden London tour.▶7. MoquetteA slight change of direction for this episode, as the team focus on the marvellous world of moquette! You’ll get the chance to hear from designers from two high-profile design studios, Wallace Sewell and Camira Fabrics, as they discuss how these iconic designs are created and manufactured.▶8. HighgateReady to head into the wilderness? In this episode of Hidden London Hangouts, the team venture to Highgate station in north London. Planned to be a bustling interchange as part of the Northern Heights project, parts of this station now lie deserted in a secluded vale.▶9. Piccadilly CircusIt's time to venture into the Heart of London as the Hidden London team talk about Piccadilly Circus, one of the finest examples of subterranean architecture on the Underground with a station history dating back to 1906 which now serves over 40 million passengers a year.▶10. MoorgateIn episode 10, the Hidden London Hangouts team are venturing into Moorgate station, one of London's first Underground stations. The station originally opened in 1865 as Moorgate Street, but due to various re-designs and upgrade work over the years, this has left a maze of disused tunnels and track for the team to explore.▶11. Season EndThis episode is the last in series one of our Hidden London Hangouts! In this episode, Chris, Laura, Siddy and Alex recount their favourite moments over the past 10 weeks, from reaching the top of 55 Broadway, London's first skyscraper to venturing into the maze of tunnels at Moorgate. There are a huge number of secret stories the team are excited to revisit.

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