Hidden London Hangouts S3E4 - Oxford Circus

[@srfurley]

There is a small display of Victoria Line material at Walthamstow Central Station, near the top of the escalators.

[@TheTimGowen]

That model of Oxford Circus may be my new favourite item (previously the spiral escalator and the photograph of the men standing on it, specifically the look on their faces!)

[@alexgrundon2346]

Fabulous!

[@jimdarrell441]

What episode was the spiral escalator in? Did I nod off?

[@alexgrundon2346]

We’ve mentioned it but the spiral escalator was at Holloway Road. Not been there yet although it’s on the list for hangouts

[@jimdarrell441]

Chris should be happy to know that I am all caught up now. Looking forward as always, to the next one. I know I've said it before, but I can't begin to thank you all for doing this. It's especially meaningful to those of us stuck here on the other side of the pond, not knowing when we'll finally be able to come back to London for a visit. So much amazing stuff in this episode, I must admit, I was able to pay closer attention to the content without the live chat, though I did find myself shouting things at my mobile as I was watching this. Love, love, love HLH!

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MrPipeline89]

Am newly discovering the Hidden London Hangout videos and series after becoming somewhat obsessed by the sheer amazement of the London Underground! Have watched so many episodes and been to stations which have been featured and been like aahhh I know where they are! Truly awesome! You guys all have an amazing laugh, full of banter and it's a light hearted look at the heritage that is London Underground. Alex you have an infectious humour for innuendo's and risque one liners which crack me up each time! Siddy, you and Chris Nix's knowledge of dates, locations, history and everything else is remarkable - you two should create the Wikipedia of London Underground in another book (wink wink Siddy to follow your amazing Hidden London book!) and Laura everyone is so bang on when they say about your interpretation of things being so different to everyone else's which is absolutely okay! It brings another dimension to the shows and it's great to hear your take and opinion on things! Keep up the amazing work guys and I'll keep watching!! Looking forward to going to London in 2 days and I'm definitely visiting Mark Lane as it's so close to Tower Hill which is one my absolute fave stations to go when I visit!!! Thank you so much! Also.....massive apologies for the large comment! Hope you don't mind reading it all!

[@ianmcclavin]

I remember passing through the northbound Victoria Line platform at the end of 1984,after the line reopened following a .major fire at the site. Fortunately nobody was killed or injured, but the platform damage was exrensive. The southbound platform was unaffected, but from then on, even after rebuild, the two platforms had different appearances, and the tile motifs were not reinstated on the northbound. Elizabeth Line platforms at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street , but no room at Oxford Circus to put any!

[@davethewanderer9887]

This brought back memories as I was a station inspector at Oxford Circus when the Vic line opened, spent many hours wandering the disused tunnels and the large access shaft, if I remember rightly was built in argyle st as the entrance door was in the corridor that led up to the old ticket office. Keep up the good work, must look to see if there are films about King’s Cross , Liverpool st many disused tunnell there. Dave mapeley

[@dsj672]

Great video as always. I seem to recall that one set of offices above the station, probably the Central Line one, was known as Oxford Circus House where the Central Line Divisional office was based.

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Fantastisch. Really enjoyed that one, the posters were so vibrant and the pictures so evocative. Alex are you sure you've never woken up in Cockfosters?

[@alexgrundon2346]

Daz if this wasn’t a public chat there are so many replies I could have given. Just make sure you position yourself correctly over the sign when taking the obligatory photo.....

[@antonyj2316]

Another fantastic episode. Just to let Siddy know, the Bakerloo station only had 1 lift shaft with 3 lifts, the same configuration as present day Russell Square and Marylebone Bakerloo line before they were removed. Regards.

[@siddyholloway8404]

You’re right Anthony! I just looked at the original station diagram! Not sure how that alluded me ;)

[@London1064]

Thanks you folks. 👍👍👍

[@paulgiffen6836]

Superb show, loving the posters and the blue tiles in the disused part of the station, thanks team.

[@grahamrobins2043]

Thanks for another superb episode. I have now put Oxford Circus on my list of stations to have another look at. I have so much to see when lock down ends, that I will need to spend a day travelling round on the Underground - how sad is that!!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Not sad at all. What a delightful day that will be!

[@kevinreed9232]

Thank you for another brilliant episode.I always look forward to Saturday evening. thanks again and keep safe.fabulous four.

[@ianmcclavin]

With the platforms on the Bakerloo Line on the outside (as at Stockwell for the Northern Line) this made it a lot easier to add the Victoria Line platforms, with same level interchange between the two lines.

[@wotchermuch]

Blimey that blue is vibrant despite the dust on it. You definitely wouldn’t miss it back in the day.

[@alexgrundon2346]

BOOM. We love a pop of colour! Thanks for watching the show! X

[@wotchermuch]

@@alexgrundon2346 thanks for making it! Has become part of my Sunday morning routine over here in Australia! Missing London dearly but the hangouts are helping with that!

[@unittaskforce]

Another great Hangout. As always it was good to get the history of the station and understand the context of all its developments. Really liked seeing the cutaway model, what a fantastic visual aid to see just how extensive it is. You guys were great, and make the sessions good fun. That hour passed so quickly!

[@alexgrundon2346]

Thank you for continuing to support us. We love the fact you’re enjoying the ride

[@joelschorschi9683]

Another great episode! You do such a super job in bringing London's history to life. As to your german: sehr gut :) I live in Germany and if I am not mistaken 1952 was the 50th aniversary of the opening of the Berlin U-Bahn. Jubiläumsgeschenk translates as aniversary present. Keep up the good work!

[@pc557]

These episodes are so good! I'm going back to watch all the rest whilst keeping up with series 3. Keep up the great work!

[@alexgrundon2346]

We love you!

[@samanthaelmhurst8518]

Another fabulous episode, and thank you Team HLH xx

[@longbranchmike7846]

Another brilliant episode - cheers Gang!

[@ljrigsbee]

I’ve been rewatching old Hangouts episodes, and at the very end of the Highgate episode, Mr. Nix says to Alex “Looking forward to seeing you down below next week!” Payback! :)

[@alexgrundon2346]

So true! Ratbag did exactly that. And what you didn’t see was the hysterics that ensued after the credit roll.....

[@ljrigsbee]

@@alexgrundon2346 Those hysterics would make excellent Patreon content.

[@CLechleitner42]

Another great one! Impressed by your German! I'm pretty sure the missing word was "Jubiläumsgeschenk", jubilee present. Greetings from Innsbruck, Austria, where we talk German, or a southern dialect thereof ;-)

[@alexgrundon2346]

Fabulous! Couldn’t read the word but that’s brilliant!

[@siddyholloway8404]

Brilliant! I took an absolute stab in the dark as well!

[@CLechleitner42]

@@siddyholloway8404 who got stabbed? OK, after a lookoup I get it, just learned another English epxression.

[@carolholt4175]

Just to clarify the dusting of the signs on the wall...The conversation went "You put them up and you have to dust them" .

[@alexgrundon2346]

You really are QUITE the award winning wife! I love your spirit...and your patience! Take your rosette! And keep watching! X

[@carolholt4175]

@@alexgrundon2346 Thank you. Will certainly keep watching. It's much more enjoyable than visits to Acton depot. I must say my first visit there was really interesting, subsequent visits no so much.

[@alexgrundon2346]

It’s called marriage, Carol. For better, for worse, for richer, for Acton Depot.... x

[@carolholt4175]

@@alexgrundon2346 I agree. We won't mention his building at the bottom of the garden to house his other collection - it's not underground related though.

[@TLJM007]

The Victoria Line poster is still above the escalator at Seven Sisters I think.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Ooohhh that model!(29:00) Just Ohhhhh!!!!! If ever I become a Bond villain, I'd have a model like that of the whole system made. Free to visit upon receipt of a letter of introduction of course. Also at (08:00) I love the caryatid over the entrance on the left.

[@daveharris7224]

Not my favourite station, as I have been stuck outside it in the rain on too many occasions due to overcrowding. I'm still looking forward to another entertaining episode. Stay safe.

[@OofusTwillip]

14:03 - The business on the first floor (2nd floor to North Americans) is C. Nestle, Court Hairdresser (as in, the Royal Court, not the legal courts). C. Nestle (pronounced "Nessle", and nothing to do with the Nestlē food company) is Charles Nessler, inventor of the permanent wave process. His initial experiments were on his wife, who got her hair accidentally burned off twice. He had a chain of affiliated salons using his products and methods, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Nestle hair products (mostly temporary hair colourings) are still made today.

[@mapala78]

The Programme you referred to is BBC How they dug the Victoria Line. Really interesting to watch..

[@alexgrundon2346]

Yes. And the very posh presenter!

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

​@@alexgrundon2346 We all spoke (or were taught to aspire to speak) the Queen's English back then. Digging the Vic is indeed a great watch.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Indeed. And that’s probably why he got the gig back then. Very RP and clipped brilliance.

[@alexmckenna1171]

It would be interesting to see photos of the original Tottenham Court Road station, which I suppose was where Centre Point now is..

[@alexgrundon2346]

Listen out for the reply to your question! It was originally called Oxford Street and have lovely green tiles on the platform walls!

[@nicksurface3513]

29:00 Is this in the Museum? Would LOVE to see this. BEAUTIFUL!

[@MrStevetmq]

I also like the roundel with yellow

[@edgware9]

"Funderful" as ever : Love to you all especially enjoy anybodeeeeeeeeeee? each time. I have even started to say myself. Had a great laugh at the shout of LORDS. my Frankenstein monster

[@alexgrundon2346]

I never imagined when I started saying it that it would become a catchphrase. This makes me very happy!

[@skyrules2007]

@@alexgrundon2346 my husband is a sponge for catchphrases, he absorbs them and then squeezes them out at any appropriate opportunity....... 'Anybodeee' has now been absorbed into that sponge.

[@WalterSippel]

Alex, perfect german. Gut! Sehr gut. :-)

[@alexgrundon2346]

Vielen Dank!

[@jonallen-friend2405]

Fabulous show as ever , you lovely people :)

[@alexgrundon2346]

😍😍😍

[@lassepeterson2740]

So where is the spiral staircase in the poster ?

[@daveharris7224]

I dislike this station, as I have been stuck outside it in the rain on too many occasions due to overcrowding. Nevertheless I am looking forward to another entertaining episode. Keep up the good work & stay safe.

[@MrStevetmq]

I love the models

[@geoffreymartin2764]

You guys could start a new fashion thing for these films. Dress to match the tile colour scheme. 🏳‍🌈