Experience even more ‘Secrets of the London Underground’
Our very own Siddy Holloway has teamed up again with railway historian Tim Dunn to explore even more unbelievable parts of London’s Tube network in the second series of the hit documentary Secrets of the London Underground. The new series returns to Yesterday channel on Thursday 5 May 2022 at 8PM, and on catch-up at UKTV Play.
With their super-privileged access to the Tube network, even more secrets are uncovered as Siddy and Tim visit abandoned stations so hidden and long forgotten that many people have no idea they exist, like King William Street and Marlborough Road Underground stations.
At well-known stations, like Charing Cross and London Bridge, the pair also explore disused tunnels that sit right under passengers’ noses, just through a door or behind a wall. Then there are places viewers will be stunned to discover are part of the Tube system, including a disused station in a back garden in the middle of the countryside.
The duo also visit new Elizabeth line stations before they are open to the public and go behind the scenes at the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton, west London, which houses more than 320,000 historical artefacts.
Fans of Secrets of the London Underground S2 who want to experience this hidden history first-hand can explore some of the secret locations revealed in the show on London Transport Museum’s exclusive virtual and in-person Hidden London tours.
On the access all areas Hidden London tour of Charing Cross Underground station, which features in episode one of Secrets of the London Underground S2, guests can step behind locked doors to discover disused spaces deep beneath Trafalgar Square. Explore ‘lost’ Jubilee line platforms closed since 1999 which have now become familiar filming locations for popular blockbuster films like Bond hit Skyfall. Current tours run from Wednesday 18 May to Sunday 17 July 2022. Book tour tickets.
King William Street, which will feature in episode three, boasts the title of the first disused deep-level Tube station. Opened in 1890 as part of the City & South London Railway which ran to Stockwell, the station’s time in operation was short lived and it closed in 1900. This concealed site, which remains out of bounds to passengers, now plays a fascinating role in the Bank station extension. On a virtual Hidden London tour of King William Street guests can ‘zoom’ in for a behind the scenes look at the station today. The next King William Street Hidden London virtual tour is on Tuesday 31 May 2022. Book virtual tour tickets.
In episode four, Siddy and Tim explore Brompton Road disused Tube station and its covert history as a Second World War bunker after its closure in 1934. Today this disused station is off limits to the public, but on the Museum’s virtual Hidden London tour an expert guide ‘zooms’ into its fascinating history using archive photos and contemporary footage. The next Brompton Road virtual Hidden London tour is on Tuesday 31 May 2022. Book virtual tour tickets.
The in person Hidden London tour of Kingsway Tram Tunnel, which Siddy visits in episode eight, reveals why this long-forgotten subterranean tunnel was once the most important stretch of tram track in the Capital. Opened in 1906, the tunnel was built to connect south and north London trams. Closed now for more than 70 years, many of its original features - and those of the former Holborn tram station the tunnel conceals - remain preserved today for visitors to see as they explore this forgotten relic from the Capital’s transport past. Current tours run from Wednesday 25 May to Sunday 24 July 2022. Book tour tickets.
Curious culture seekers can also join exclusive Hidden London tours of other famous disused Tube stations.
The Hidden London tour of Aldwych disused station on the Strand reveals memories of times gone by as guests explore the original ticket hall and lifts, as well as abandoned platforms and walkways rarely seen by the public. A virtual tour of Aldwych is also available. At Down Street station, hidden on the Piccadilly line between Green Park and Hyde Park, guests can uncover the remains of the Railway Executive Committee’s bomb proof shelter where Winston Churchill himself sheltered during the Blitz.
Hidden London tours at stations still in use today also take guests behind-the-scenes to see platforms and tunnels hidden just out of sight of commuters. At Euston visitors can step into a time-capsule of abandoned tunnels lined with vintage advertising posters; historic engineering marvels are revealed at Moorgate, and a tour of Piccadilly Circus explores the original Edwardian tunnels and lift shafts closed to the public since the 1920s.
At Clapham South visitors can journey 11 stories below ground to discover a mile of subterranean tunnels built by London Transport as shelters during the Second World War. Later housing hopeful Caribbean migrants arriving on the Empire Windrush, and even thrifty visitors to the Festival of Britain, this tour offers a unique insight into London’s social history.
Those curious about how the history of the Tube has shaped life above ground can also join a Secrets of Central London walking tour to discover secrets hidden in plain sight in Covent Garden, Kingsway, Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Victoria Embankment.
In the second series of Secrets of the London Underground, Siddy and Tim also explore our Depot in Acton, west London, which houses more than 320,000 historic objects. Here they root through the Museum’s extraordinary archives, unveiling documents, photographs, films, and artefacts that have never been seen before. This working collection store, which is usually closed to the public, is open for special Open Days in July and September 2022 for people to visit for themselves.
Siddy Holloway, London Transport Museum’s Hidden London Engagement Manager and co-presenter of Secrets of the London Underground, said:
We’re so excited to be bringing Secrets of the London Underground back to people’s screens to reveal even more of the Capital’s hidden histories and how its Tube network – the oldest in the world – continues to evolve. Being able to take people behind-the-scenes is a real privilege and fans who are keen to step into some of these secret locations for themselves should check out the Museum’s Hidden London tours. They are the perfect chance to delve deeper into this intriguing side of the Capital’s history.
Tim Dunn presenter of Secrets of the London Underground said:
It’s such a privilege to be able to reveal even more of the hidden parts of the Tube network to the Yesterday audience in this new series. I know they’re going to revel in the history and the surprises that we uncover just as much as I do! And once again, the access we get to restricted areas, disused stations, long-forgotten lines and the incredibly rich archive is truly phenomenal.
The first series of Secrets of the London Underground launched to a record-breaking 659k, with the opening episode becoming Yesterday’s biggest ever launch of a new series, the channel’s highest rated programme ever and the 2nd highest rating non-terrestrial programme of the day [Source: BARB/Techedge, All Homes, Individuals 16+. 7day consolidation].
Secrets of the London Underground S2 has been commissioned for UKTV by deputy director of commissioning Hilary Rosen and ordered by Yesterday channel director, Gerald Casey. The series is produced by Brown Bob Productions and the executive producer is Rob Dersley. The series will air on Yesterday and will also be available to catch-up on UKTV Play