Subterranean London: The Unmissable Underground Tours

This submit could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a small fee, for gratis to you, in the event you make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.

Are you in search of a barely totally different view of London? Though lots of the metropolis’s most notable websites are above floor, you will see that there’s a lot of historical past, exceptional works of engineering, and tales to be advised, beneath the Earth.

In an underground tour of London, you possibly can stroll behind the scenes of the oldest metro on the planet, take a fast peek into former air-raid shelters used in the course of the second world battle, and stroll the dusty passageways that had been as soon as utilized by former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

If driving in black cabs and queuing at Madame Tussauds just isn’t your factor any extra, then strive wanting beneath the floor to flee the crowds.

That will help you out, I’ve listed a few of my favourite underground London excursions that take you thru misplaced tunnels and uncover components of London you didn’t know had been there.

The Finest Underground London Excursions

You’ll uncover a hidden world of secret tunnels, terrifying tombs, elaborate practice routes, and historical cave methods on one in every of these underground London excursions.

1. Cupboard Conflict Rooms

Immerse your self within the environment of the Blitz with a visit down into the historic Cupboard Conflict Rooms.

This warren of tunnels and bunkers beneath Whitehall was the headquarters for Britain’s battle effort throughout WW2.

The tour begins by exploring the Conflict Cupboard Room from the place Winston Churchill deliberate Britain’s subsequent transfer.

You may really see the chair (full with scratch marks on its arms) which he used throughout extremely disturbing conferences.

Within the Map Room, nothing has modified since 16 Aug 1945, when the lights had been lastly switched off.

Wartime maps, colour-coded telephones, and even rationed sugar cubes stay precisely as they had been when the battle ended.

2. Chislehurst Caves

This community of 8000-year-old caves within the better London space is an surprising deal with. The caves, which prolong for 20 miles, had been initially created on account of flint and chalk mining.

You may take a lamp-lit tour deep into this labyrinth and discover the caves’ diversified historical past; from their origins as mines to their subsequent use as an ammunition depot after which as an air raid shelter throughout WW2.

You may learn extra and examine costs and availability right here.

3. The London Bridge Expertise and London Tombs

This spine-chilling historic tour takes you thru the early days of London.

Start by discovering probably the most haunted bridge on the planet – London Bridge – you then’ll be taken by way of Roman, Viking, and Victorian occasions and you may watch Queen Boudicca defeat the Romans in battle and see the nice hearth of London erupt earlier than your very eyes.

For a very frightful time, you’ll must go deeper underground into the depths of the London Tombs.

This former plague pit has been given a Hollywood-inspired makeover and now boasts state-of-the-art particular results and dwell actors, to carry London’s bloody historical past to life.

Though The London Bridge Expertise doesn’t have any age restrictions, all kids beneath 14 should be accompanied by an grownup. The London Tombs is not appropriate for youngsters beneath 11.

We visited the London Bridge Expertise with our 14- and 10-year-old. It was one in every of our teen’s favourite issues to do in London. Our tween was a bit of scared. however she nonetheless loves sharing her recollections from it.

4. Tour of the London underground

You’re certain to have a renewed respect for the tube after this two-hour tour of the world’s oldest underground metro system.

This feat of engineering has been transporting passengers for 150 years and also you’ll be capable of see its authentic plans together with the steam engines that had been first used.

Alongside your route, be careful for the ghost station on the British Museum and uncover the secrets and techniques behind the unique hand-dug tunnels.

5. Brunel’s underground tunnel

Uncover how Isambard Kingdom Brunel helped his father Marc construct one of many world’s first tunnels beneath a river.

The Thames tunnel, which is 170 years outdated, was initially designed to permit individuals and horses to cross the Thames with out obstructing the passing ships.

As soon as generally known as the eighth marvel of the world, the tunnel was reopened in 2010 as a part of the London Overground.

Now you can descend into The Grand Entrance Corridor on the tunnel shaft and even uncover a secret chamber.

Excursions could be organized by way of the Brunel Museum.

6. The Hidden London Excursions by London Transport Museum

If you wish to get off the crushed path, then the London Transport Museum, operated by Transport for London, have a number of underground excursions you possibly can participate in.

The excursions are designed to take individuals to disused stations and secret websites, it’s an city explorer’s dream come true.

You may select to go to any of the next stations on a small group strolling tour:

• Aldwych Station, which opened in 1907 however closed in 1994, and was the previous “finish of the road.” It was used as a shelter in the course of the Blitz and is now an deserted tube station. It has been featured in a number of movie and tv, reminiscent of Sherlock and Atonement. 
• Charing Cross, which continues to be in use at the moment however turned well-known after it was used within the James Bond film, Skyfall. This tour takes you to closed-off areas and the disused areas of Charing Cross the place you possibly can be taught concerning the station’s historical past and use in film units.
• Clapham South which opened after world battle II and consists of eight deep-level shelters and miles of passageways.
• Down Road Station, also referred to as Winston Churchill’s secret station. It’s situated between Inexperienced Park and Hyde Park Nook stations and was used as an air-raid shelter for the prime minister and was additionally the Railway Govt Committee’s bomb-proof headquarters.
• The misplaced tunnels of Euston. You may stroll down the passageways and tunnels from Euston Station which can be now not in use, and nonetheless see classic promoting posters adorning the partitions.
• Go behind the scenes at Shepherd’s Bush station, one of many widespread stations in London’s suburbs.
• Find out about modern-day engineering with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Elizabeth Line from Tottenham Courtroom Highway.
• Kingsway trams tunnel tour. Earlier than trains, town used trams which consequently closed down. You may stroll down the one remaining tram tunnel in London on this tour.

Ultimate Ideas on Underground Excursions of London

I guess you didn’t understand how a lot of London’s underground world was accessible to vacationers? I used to be pleasantly shocked too.

If you concentrate on it, a lot of London’s historical past was served underground. Through the 6-months of the Blitz, these underground stations had been a spot of refuge and security.

As a substitute of being disused stations, they’ve been changed into sights so vacationers can see town’s engineering triumphs and historic landmarks.

Whether or not you’re in search of a enjoyable exercise for a Saturday evening otherwise you’re curious concerning the historical past of the world’s oldest metro system, these excursions are certain to be a spotlight of your London journey.

Excursions of London

Extra London Journey Ideas

Are you planning a visit to London however want extra inspiration to your journey? Then you could discover these different guides useful…