Ghost station

This evening Fred and I visited Aldwych station, an underground station that opened as the "Strand" in 1907 and closed in 1994. It was fascinating. The ticket hall retains many of its original features and houses the original Otis lift, which doesn't work any more (this is one of the reasons why the station had to close - it would have cost millions to upgrade the lift). So, we walked down 160 spiral stairs to Platform 1, which is used as a film set - 28 Days Later, V for Vendetta, and the Prodigy's Firestarter video.

Platform 2 (in the blip) is used as a testing zone for other underground stations with patches of tiles everywhere. The tracks are the original 1907 tracks and they do not have the suicide pit (the gaps beneath the rails in modern underground stations). Platform 1 also housed the Elgin Marbles and ten per cent of the National Gallery's art were kept during the war. Thousands of people sheltered on Platform 1 to stay safe from the bombs.

Once back on the ticket level we were treated to mulled wine and carols sung by the London Transport Choir. The melodies were gorgeous and I didn't dare spoil them by joining in.

We followed this by walking down the Southbank through the Christmas Market to Pizza Express - the snowball doughballs are back, but only on the Christmas menu. Boo! Still, we managed to wrangle it by one of us having the Christmas menu and sharing the dessert.

There are more images from the day here.