London Transport Museum

Exhibitions

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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.  

Romance of the poster

Dates: 5 to 28 February 2010  

A special display of twenty historic posters will go on show at the Museum for one month only, to celebrate Valentine Day. They depict romantic walks, trips to the theatre and picnics in the countryside, all of which were popular subjects used to promote leisure travel. As well as showing young fashionable couples, Underground posters were occasionally issued in February to offer special Valentine's greetings and warm the hearts of weary passengers.

Admission: included in Museum entrance ticket.