Aldwych Station

Although closed finally in 1994, from time to time London Transport Museum will open up the abandoned tube station at Aldwych. It’s an interesting place with a history stretching back a century or so, and despite not being a particularly successful tube station (it was never very popular, even when it first opened) it did prove to be useful both as a bomb shelter and for storing art works during the Second World War.

It’s now used either as a film set, for training purposes, or for testing out new station designs and tiles. It’s worth a visit, but tickets for this weekend and next are all sold out, so you’ll have to wait until they open it up again.

You can see some more of the photos I took on my Flickr stream.

Why did the London riots collapse so quickly?

Excellent post on the Kings of War blog on why the London riots didn’t have any longevity, and how effective police tactics were.

What is a person from London called? (via)

What is a person from London called? (via)

Civil disorder and looting hits Britain: We have been here before

Excellent article in the Economist showing that there is nothing new either about civil disorder, or knee-jerk reactions to it.

Lamps The curve on this bit of the South Bank is rather lovely, but difficult to capture. This is the best I could do.

Lamps

The curve on this bit of the South Bank is rather lovely, but difficult to capture. This is the best I could do.

Source: Flickr / minifig
London Eye Hardly an original shot of the eye, but I love the pure engineeriness of the thing. And the black and white covered the dreariness of the day.

London Eye

Hardly an original shot of the eye, but I love the pure engineeriness of the thing. And the black and white covered the dreariness of the day.

Source: Flickr / minifig
Stairs I kind of like the fact that it looks a bit like a face. Oh, and it was actually reasonably busy when I took the shot, but I like the illusion of bleakness.

Stairs

I kind of like the fact that it looks a bit like a face. Oh, and it was actually reasonably busy when I took the shot, but I like the illusion of bleakness.

Source: Flickr / minifig
South Bank Blue and Yellow I took this at dusk on the South Bank before going to see The Social Network at the BFI. I just like the colours.

South Bank Blue and Yellow

I took this at dusk on the South Bank before going to see The Social Network at the BFI. I just like the colours.

Source: Flickr / minifig

Covent Garden Apple Store Tour

I’m really not obsessed that Apple are opening their biggest store within walking distance of where I work. Looks nice though, doesn’t it? (via)

A map of London by Eric Fischer showing pictures taken by locals (blue) and pictures taken by tourists (red) Yellow ones could be taken by anyone. (via)

A map of London by Eric Fischer showing pictures taken by locals (blue) and pictures taken by tourists (red) Yellow ones could be taken by anyone. (via)

Source: Flickr / walkingsf
Sepia Evening in St James’ Park: mykreeve has this shot too, but due to his elephant obsession, or perhaps due to higher photographic standards, doesn’t seem to have posted it yet. If you’re concerned, I don’t intend to sepia tint all of my photos from this point on. 90% maybe, but not all.

Sepia Evening in St James’ Park:

mykreeve has this shot too, but due to his elephant obsession, or perhaps due to higher photographic standards, doesn’t seem to have posted it yet.

If you’re concerned, I don’t intend to sepia tint all of my photos from this point on. 90% maybe, but not all.

Cloudia the elephant on the London Eye:

My inimitable podcast buddy, Mykreeve, has been collecting elephants. It’s how he hangs. You can see them all here.

The National @ Royal Albert Hall: They were, of course, spectacularly wonderful.

The National @ Royal Albert Hall:

They were, of course, spectacularly wonderful.

Flight of the Conchords - London HMV Hammersmith Apollo by Olly Moss

Flight of the Conchords - London HMV Hammersmith Apollo by Olly Moss

Source: Flickr / ollym
Whitehall in 1912: Well, the book this is taken from is from 1912, which presumably just means that this is the latest date this picture could be from. Building-wise, not a lot has changed, but I doubt you’d be able to have such a carefree (and delightfully fabulous) attitude to crossing the road in 2010.

Whitehall in 1912:

Well, the book this is taken from is from 1912, which presumably just means that this is the latest date this picture could be from. Building-wise, not a lot has changed, but I doubt you’d be able to have such a carefree (and delightfully fabulous) attitude to crossing the road in 2010.