London Transport Museum

Exhibitions

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Stop Press:
Suburbia-themed walks in Golders Green.  More info and to book,
click here.  

Suburbia explores how public transport helped to create the myths and identity of suburbia and how it has featured in the cultural fabric of London and Britain over the last 100 years.
The exhibition looks at how transport has shaped the suburbs and celebrate suburban lifestyle, architecture, design and popular culture through a series of unique displays. Mixing fun, fact and a little bit of fantasy to rejoice in a place that we collectively continue to love and hate.

Previously unseen posters, photographs, early publicity material, signs and maps will give a historic context, supported by film and interviews with suburbanites past and present. Suburbia displays complement the Museum's permanent gallery which tells the story of the early 20th century Suburban Dream.

The look of the suburbs is explored through images of domestic and commercial architecture and gardens, shown alongside pictures of the railway and Underground stations built to serve them. The gallery explores the changing building styles which define the suburban experience - along with film, drawings, plans, 'before and after' photographs, recently acquired toys and games to complete the picture.

The tricks of the trade of early estate agent spin doctors is highlighted in a gallery focused on property advertising. Find out how Tube stations got their names and discover how the cartoonists of the day responded to these early marketing techniques. A suburban lifestyle gallery looks at defining influences such as fashion, West End shopping, interior design, pastimes, hobbies, music, television and film.   


 

Coming soon: Summer of Cycling Exhibition

Whoever you are and wherever you look a revolution is taking place. Cycling is quickly becoming a part of the fabric of everyday life in London. During summer 2010, Transport for London will join the revolution with the launch of its Cycle Superhighways and Cycle Hire Schemes. In conjunction with these programmes, London Transport Museum and the Association of Illustrators (AOI) are hosting an illustration competition and exhibition on cycling.

Students and professionals are invited to submit illustrations that demonstrate the environmental, health and/or recreational benefits of cycling. The top three entries will receive a monetary award and may be used in an advertising campaign. More details about the competition can be found on the AOI website. The top 50 entries will be featured in an exhibition here at the London Transport Museum from 5 July to 22 August 2010. 

The Museum will also be hosting a number of workshops and programmes related to cycle use and safety during the exhibition.