The Secret Station - Aldwych

My Final Year University Project - A Trip Down Aldwych.
The London Underground has undergone many changes since its conception; lines and stations close to be replaced by newer, more efficient ones. But what actually becomes of these closed down stations? Do any still exist now? If so, what would it be like to visit one...?
This video takes you on a visual journey through Aldwych, a disused station on a now defunct branch of the Piccadilly Line. I produced this as part of my 'TV Production' course at Bournemouth University. It was awarded a first.
For more information on disused stations on the London Underground please visit underground-his...

[@wernotdonewithu3132]

Explored it in Tomb Raider III.

[@clare2401]

i love that we still have these things locked up and preserved. Not much is allowed to be left alone now without some twat wanting to turn it into "luxury housing"

[@PaulJacobs1970]

Totally agree. They even moved the Cavern in Liverpool where the Beatles first played and turned the original space into something else entirely. Ignorant arseholes with no regard for tradition. Anyway great video

[@rewind12354]

Paul Jacobs The Cavern club was closed and demolished in 1973 because of a "compulsory purchase order" by the government, to allow construction of an underground railway shaft, which was never built.

[@tommadden1764]

Yeah, I had to protect my sewer tunnels for my research on ghosts from a idiot who wanted to build a hotel !D

[@krashd]

Most of the 40 retired stations are still on active lines, you couldn't sell them off for fear of some numpty turning a portion of the northern line in to a kitchen. Nor would many people want a train passing within metres of their lounge every 6 minutes. It would be funny though to catch a glimpse of someone shaving or eating cereal as your train whizzed by them...

[@brianclark2902]

Welcome to hounslow

[@Kat-lv3td]

I went on a tour of Aldwych last November, it was amazing to see parts of the tunnel that the public had never seen and to learn so much about this historic time capsule. Really incredible! Highly recommend the tour :)

[@matteofazio7845]

Tomb Raider 3

[@marcusoliveiraspiegelman3664]

I like how the lady, in the end, look the camera annoying like saying: sure buddy.

[@jackdeath]

The film maker's girlfriend at the time.

[@Bulletguy07]

Interesting the uploader made the video as part of his University course on TV Production. It's easy to see why it was awarded a first too.

[@crimebodge7274]

It was beautifully shot and an extremely interesting subject. Just wish it had been longer.

[@Foxy.Tea.]

Crimebodge Oi oi. Can you do a vid on the assault on a member of the public by a BTP officer.

[@commando378]

Those empty tunnels and corridors are oddly terrifying

[@252Scooby]

General Alfred Jodel yup 28 months later

[@Mozarts-Sister]

I think it's terrifying when crowded? - I like these deserted ones much more :)

[@williamchamberlain2263]

SCP

[@hreader]

Agreed - definitely spooky! Does anyone here remember the series 'Adam Adamant' (1960's) in which one of the stories featured a Tube train full of skeletons?

[@paddybearuk1]

Aldwich was always a bit spooky, even when it was in daily use.

[@tardiskeeper6]

Interesting effect the lack of a presenter there in person. It's like passing through in first person.

[@Eurolex43]

Yes. Charing Cross (Jubilee) has been used for Movies.

[@1974cfjl]

I was at the station on the last day of service 30th September 1994.

[@estrada5007]

was it scary or sad.

[@bensimpson8860]

The camera work is very clever. It creates a real sense of atmosphere.

[@NVGS400]

Thanks very much! I'd pretty much planned it all out before I went down there to shoot. I was only allowed four hours so had to rush around the station and make sure I covered every bit I wanted to :)

[@camicus-3249]

These old stations and tubes would be a pretty spooky horror setting

[@barfly946]

It's been done ,Russel Square was the setting for a great British horror film called Deathline (1972 )

[@jackdeath]

Down street station was used for the Acclaim horror video game _Shadow Man._

[@waynerbudgen]

This is where "Firestarter" by The Prodigy was filmed. I went on the tour about 4 years ago and recommend it highly. I managed to get some great photos.

[@Lyca31]

I used to work on the London Underground, first as a ticket collector and then a Station Forewoman. I worked at Kings Cross and I got transferred to Tufnell Park I didn't want to move and complained to the union because I loved king's Cross. A couple of weeks after that, the big fire happened. I did my lifts and escalators training at Kings Cross and Mornington Crescent. I then got moved to Chalk Farm. After the fire happened inspectors came round ever station looking for fire hazards. In many of the staff rooms were 'comfy chairs' massive chairs for the night foreman/forewoman to get a few hours rest on while the station was shut. all these had to go. When the Inspectors came round to Chalk Farm (I was the forewoman there at the time) they were checking the station and we opened the other doors of one of the lifts, (this door hadn't actually ever been used as it just led to a room that wasn't used) I don't know why it was like that, but when we opened the door the big room was full of decorating supplies. They were the supplies from the original station decorations. Very old tubs of paint, hundreds of those old green and cream thick tiles and glues and varnishes. I didn't get a good look at everything. the inspector said it all had to go because it was a fire hazard. I said the tiles were probably worth a lot of money and he joked that if I could move them that day I could have them. Obviously there was no way I could move them and I doubt I could have actually been allowed to take them if I'd had the means to move them. They all just got taken and dumped to the best of my knowledge. I wish I'd taken just one tile though. I've walked through the tunnels on the Underground a few times.

[@carolewilson1311]

Lyca31 you had near miss kings x. Apart from them brown tiles basic LT,some of stations are really lovely.I think if me boss said could have them I have find a way.LT was not forward thinking

[@carolewilson1311]

Hell freeze over before I would walk willingly down them tunnels

[@madskyltd]

FASCINATING!!! the years i was stationed in London were the best years of my life and i'd like to see more about these stations

[@kazoosc]

this is really interesting. I love the wood, tile work, and the circular tunnels.

[@michaelmartin9022]

Some of the still-in-use stations have features like this, though with modern additions around them. Some of the oldest stations look very similar to paintings from when they first opened, except the vents to let the smoke out are now tiled-in and contain lights instead XD

[@Berlinie]

Love that April Ludgate glare from the girl at the end ... ^^

[@chasidahL]

I explored Aldwych tube station with the wonderful team from Hidden London Tours. It was incredible- especially the old platform & staircases. The smell, sound & atmosphere of the station was tangible. Such a sense of history. Really enjoyed the video. Thanks for the post!

[@maks.tardis8304]

Out of curiosity, is there a train on one of the platforms?

[@chasidahL]

@@maks.tardis8304 - yes, there was. As far as I remember, it was from a 1970's fleet. We were invited inside & the guides outlined their history. It was very atmospheric!

[@frostycreeper1055]

They should re-open Aldwych because the area around it has grown way busier now than it was before.

[@ollykehoe5054]

+KianPlaysMC I've been to an abandoned station: Lord's on the Met Line.

[@frostycreeper1055]

***** Wow! Where is it?

[@paianis]

+FrostyCreeper10 It's got a Grade II listing, so the lifts cannot be replaced. :(

[@frostycreeper1055]

Paianni Well, why not they put the lift in a glass case?!?

[@paianis]

FrostyCreeper10 How would they do that?

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Good film, I really like how the station even though it's closed has been cleaned up and kept in very good shape as if there's future plans for it. As for the older unused platform,I would have really liked to see more of it,the posters are all still readable and would tell an interesting story of the time when the station was still in use. Nice work!

[@WillPattenden]

Fascinating documentary and beautifully put together. :) So much history for such a small piece of London. Loved the narrator

[@robertrowe2170]

Thanks WillsAnimatedVisions, the narrator was me :-) Glad you liked it.

[@JonnyD3ath]

Robert Rowe is it true that this was made as part of a university project?

[@JonnyD3ath]

Robert Rowe nevermind, i just read the description! DOH!

[@thetelegothika5327]

Good stuff, really enjoyable! I just click on this, and thought it was an older BBC4 documentary I hadn't yet seen. Didn't realise it was a final year project until reading, nice! Like how the different quality footage was presented in that cardboard/paper frame motif. And the last shot and the voice over was pretty funny. Amazing shots of that station and the tunnels too, I hear its really difficult to film them these days!

[@cageordie]

Nice job. I find these old stations fascinating. It is a shame nobody seems to have recorded the old Manors station in Newcastle, some of it is still there, but hidden. I remember walking through it as a kid and it was used on Get Carter in 1971.

[@xapaga1]

It's a fascinating project, really. I never realised it was a student project until the very end. I liked the tiny bits such as the spooky young actress vision above the railway track. The only pity is that it is far too short. I'd love to see its sequences dealing with other disused Tube stations such as "British Museum".

[@deejayC]

Excellent stuff. Great to see Bournemouth University still making great TV items. Best Wishes from a '95 Graduate!

[@H3w1e]

No surprise this got a first - a fascinating watch and very well put together

[@davegreenlaw5654]

"Platform A still sees regular use, not by commuters but by film companies." Sounds pretty much like Lower Bay here in Toronto. When our second line (Bloor/Danforth) was opened in '66, the TTC ran every second train from the east through the lower level of Bay Station, down University, through Union Station, and then up the older Yonge line - there was a second set of tracks for trains coming from the west. The interlining project only lasted six months, as commuters found it too confusing. So they closed off the lower level, and just used it to store equipment, change trains between the lines, and for movie, TV, and commercial shoots. You can still see it on occasion at Doors Open, when they've had to split the Bloor/Danforth line in two while working on Bay Station...or if you're an extra on a shoot. (St. George, one stop west, is also a bi-level station, with Yonge/University/Spadina trains on the upper level, and Bloor/Danforth trains on the lower - opposite of how it worked at Bay.)

[@ProducerCliff]

Well done Luke, nicely shot and well put together. Too often dark places are simply shot, well, dark.. Glad you opened up the camera a bit to see more detail, ah, the beauty of modern cameras.

[@mcplisken1093]

I like the vintage old school style and tilling work. Maybe outdated but it's more homely and comfortable as it is. wish I could pop down to this stn.

[@BenHollist]

WOW you can see the similarity and English influence here in our own train stations in Sydney Australia Our Town Hall, St James, Museum, Wynyard Stations are the same design and even down to the tiling , that is so expected yet eerie at the same time. If you know Sydney then you will agree with me here

[@esabellalin2317]

I agree even though I don’t live in Sydney

[@noobmaster-dm7tu]

I'm from Kolkata. It is said that Kolkata was the second most important city for brits untill the early 1900s. The city has many similarities in terms of architecture and planning with London, and I can definitely feel the connection on seeing this video. Although I believe that the empire did use more harm than good, I do adore the british sense of architecture.

[@nchcroy3877]

A short but very sweet mini documentary put together very professionally. Very nice indeed. If that's an indicator of the quality of your work then I assume you got a 1st? Thanks for sharing.

[@patriciabelchiere9688]

Too smug a voice for me I'm afraid

[@giuliabaracchi463]

I've been there years ago.. I really liked the station's old fashioned style ☺

[@onlinefriend3889]

Aldwych was nearly booming with passengers once when the Jubilee line planned an extension from (its original terminus) Charing Cross to southeast, including an interchange at Aldwych. In fact a tunnel extends from Charing Cross in the direction of Aldwych, stopping a few hundred feet from it. However, this was abandoned and the extension diverted through the Docklands. I wonder what Aldwych would be like if the plans stuck!

[@rickpambrun115]

Beautifully done. To bring memory to something long forgotten, is to give it life again. Thank you for this.

[@J2897Tutorials]

I would love to live in an abandoned underground structure like that; with a computer network, and an Amazon drone delivering food, it would be the ultimate hacker sanctuary.

[@LoudBassyMusic]

Johnny English that's what the ninja turtles do😂

[@markchapman6207]

Johnny English watch Person of Interest. Season 4 They move into a subway station.

[@chris-hayes]

sounds like v is for vendetta

[@J2897Tutorials]

orangecode I don't mind sharing with Natalie Portman.

[@stephthestar90]

part of that movie (v for vendetta) was actually filmed in Aldwych station

[@paddybearuk1]

I used that station every day to go to work. I feel like an antique myself to see it now, all dark and abandoned!

[@Prod_by_Svengali]

If I'm not mistaken! a ''Secret'' Underground Station was used in one of the 007 Movies :)

[@LordHeath1972]

You are thinking of "Vauxhall Cross". It was in DIE ANOTHER DAY, with the invisible car. Unfortunately, it was a film set.

[@Prod_by_Svengali]

So Vauxhall Cross is a real underground station, that they replicated?

[@LordHeath1972]

TheOfficialSvengali No, the name "Vauxhall Cross" was fictitious. To the eye it looks real, doesn't it? But when you consider the factors seen in that scene you can tell it is fake. I haven't seen the film in a while but if I remember correctly, the height between platform and track was too short and the length of the platform from tunnel to tunnel wasn't long enough to accommodate a full train... that is just from memory. Also, the entrance Pierce Brosnan goes through (the door at the end of Westminster Bridge) is actually a storage cupboard (I have seen that door open). :)

[@londonundergroundfan1563]

+TheOfficialSvengali But other stations were used! In "Skyfall" they used a Jubilee line Platform (Baker Street, Bond Street or Green Park) both as "Temple" and "Westminster".

[@CreedBrattonTheOffice]

+TheOfficialSvengali What about the tunnel in skyfall. Where was that?

[@TheJohnRowley]

What a well made lovely little film, thank you!

[@4doorfreak]

Do anyone remember Tomb Raider 3? ;)

[@sake3758]

Course I do! :D

[@sgrizzo48]

tomb raider 3 brought me here X)

[@Naitoraven951]

ohhh yeah! one of my favorite TR3's level!

[@cpt_nordbart]

4doorfreak Shit I was sure it was TR 2 oh well good old polygonal time.

[@jmdefault]

If it is really that unsafe and infested by Hobos with burning sticks it's no wonder the closed it.

[@petegenmarshall2]

Interesting & well shot film. In November 2010 I was one of the "extras" used in filming a "Blitz shelter" scene down in Aldwych. The film is "Deep Blue Sea", starring Rachel Weisz, & it was very atmospheric to see the station decked out as it would have been in 1941, with us all dressed the part!

[@erichb2249]

Should be open for the public. Would be always full with visitors.

[@benjaminmaxwell9025]

erichb22 should make it a museum

[@joshbostock4371]

There are regular tours run down there and the ticket hall is used for events! It's not really abandoned in the sense of it being left to rot but more in the fact that it is not used as a tube station!

[@Suldog29]

Thank you so much for this. I'm an American, but have been a huge fan of the London Underground since my first visit to the city in 1970. I always found the branches that were open only on holidays or during shows or consisted of one station (such as Aldwytch) the most fascinating of all. I never did actually take a train to Aldwytch during any of my visits, so this was especially nice to see. Well done!

[@Kovukingsrod]

I want to go there so bad now

[@angel.3006]

Buy tomb raider 3 lol

[@PrawilnaMordka]

I found out there's Aldwych tour as part of museum of transport but currently there are no tour tickets available

[@SnoochieBoochiesOG]

I just love this! Abandoned buildings etc have always fascinated me.

[@MartinFarrell1972]

I was in London for the first time last year, and thought the tube was way better than New York's version. Would love to see more abandones stations.

[@AlphaGoII]

Very useful. Don't want to plan for a pointless connection. Thanks.

[@SpiritualBabies]

Make more! this was awesome.

[@elenaalina562]

*****

[@boomboxbadboy1]

Fascinates the hell out of me. I always think I'm the only one who yearns to see yesteryear up close, but I guess others do to. Makes me sad in a way

[@pardalote95]

Thank you that was interesting and very pleasantly narrated. Keep it as it is, it's history isn't it (and useful for film makers).

[@MrVaultTec]

Why do I find stuff like this so interesting? You need to do a longer version!

[@Murrangurk2]

Sure is windy down there....

[@solo6411]

I was thinking the same thing...

[@dangerouslytalented]

the piston effect from the trains that run further up the line.

[@stupidburp]

The breath of the balrog. Do not wake it.

[@dangerouslytalented]

***** ... many underground stations have their own unique aroma. I remember the Piccadilly line smelling kind of like a cross between a photolab and old people. Were you the one who produced that smell?

[@adriedewit7859]

Herr Richtig

[@Mozarts-Sister]

So beautiful! I LOVE the old tiles - sheet metal's probably easier to clean, & far easier to make, but doesn't compare to what they used to create.

[@paulflute]

I find it astonishing that in a city like London where usable space is at sucha premium that these places are not being put to good service.. they you make ideal places for music studios fro example.. underground where noise would not disturb neighbours..

[@danielclift1]

prodigy filmed a vid at this station

[@07rjames]

Daniel Clift Firestarter?

[@mattfuzzy]

07rjames was a section of the later "fast and furious" filmed in here? the white tube corridor seemed almost exact...

[@danielclift1]

the fight scene ? yes it was. the station has been used quite a few times for filming as trains can still be brought in plus it would save having to close a used station for filming

[@JonnyD3ath]

paulflute considering alot of them still have active lines with trains on them, they wouldn't be that quiet! Lol

[@Shadowkey392]

You're very good at doing stuff like this. I wouldn't know the difference between this and an actual documentary!

[@soldier716]

I love when time gets sealed up and rediscovered. There's several forgotten stations in New York I've been itching to see, like the old City Hall Station. There's tours of them, but very rarely, are there tours of some of these stations? England is on the top of my list of places to travel to, so I'm wondering if I could put this on my to-do list

[@ThomasTrue]

That is in a better state of preservation than many of the stations currently open on the London Underground. Nice job sir. Fascinating.

[@ctry9551]

haha xD tomb raider 3 feelings came back

[@kingthunderstar3302]

You read my mind on that lol

[@limeyosu2000]

I wish you made more of these this was interesting !

[@joshbostock4371]

I remember watching this a child and being absolutely freaked out by that ghost! As a 20 year old, I still wonder why a clearly fake ghost managed to scare a now ghost enthusiast so much!

[@NVGS400]

Haha, that's amazing :) Thanks for watching!

[@Alexaklr]

Such a great video, and the speaker's voice is to die for. So smooth. Some tunnel areas are downright eerie, while others look like a sleek sci-fi movie. Love the "ghost" and the young woman at the end. Nice touch. Gorgeous work. A real winner.

[@robertrowe2170]

Glad you liked the voice, XZHarts. It was me. All thanks to Luke who did the hard bit: script and direction :-)

[@maszlagma]

YES! I want to see ALL of the unused stations! :)

[@londonundergroundfan1563]

+maszlagma You can see them all...on a map! Look at londonist.com/2014/01/londons-ghost-stations-mapped for all existing abandoned stations.

[@JonnyD3ath]

LondonUndergroundFan excellent

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very nice memory.. I have been there years ago.. The tiling always facinated me. Thank you for sharing

[@chrisgrigg6737]

The women at the end is like "Why are you filming me you creepo"

[@florjanbrudar692]

Woman*

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Well done for capturing the really eerie sound of the air moving through the tunnels to Holborn 2:08.

[@paianis]

It's not exactly secret if you're showing it here...

[@zackboone15]

well it's not on the map...

[@paianis]

Zack Boone That would be because it's not open to the public.

[@TheCurle]

Thus, not many people know that it's still used and there exists an entire tunnel network behind the door. Secret. Not largely known.

[@harveybolton]

Would be so cool to explore some of the abandoned stations as they are, just feeling the sheer history around you.

[@HarvesterYT]

They do tours here and I want to visit

[@PhilK5100]

Brit documentaries and narrators are by light years the best.

[@trekhopton]

Anyone else thing that girl at the end looked like April from Parks and Rec?

[@trekhopton]

It's in the eyes

[@MYBIGKINDHEART]

who??? what???

[@alexanderino]

Splendid. Marvellously executed. Congrats to all involved in its making.

[@rollingcoasters2311]

“I’m the trouble starter, punkin’ instigator.”

[@NE6MAFIA]

Was it filmed there ??

[@fstangaciu]

@@NE6MAFIA yes

[@nickdouglass421]

Reckon he frightened the ( supposed) ghosts away

[@AndrewSmart32]

beautiful, waiting to book tickets to tour this place...

[@cyberjack]

id love to explore that place.... such a pity its view is going to waste .. the should reopen it as a public tor

[@limeyosu2000]

A few times a year you can pay to go down there ! A friend of mine did just that

[@cyberjack]

@@limeyosu2000 sweet .. ill look into it .. Thank you

[@TheReapersSon]

I remember playing the Aldwych station level in Tomb Raider III. One of my favorite levels in a Tomb Raider game.

[@thrillynewt]

This'd already be a club/disco/bar in a different country..

[@cityraildude]

William Newton not in Australia. Look up Sydney's ghost platforms

[@mick62mick]

I find this fascinating, because two days ago I passed it on the bus, and wondered just HOW long it has been shut and WHY? And WHAT does it look like inside? Well, I have asked myself that on quite a few occasions, when I travel past, but Wednesday was the most recent! And now have found this short film. I didn't realise that it has been used in movies!

[@tomy.1846]

An American Werewolf in London (1982)?

[@davidjames579]

Also Superman 4, and a lot of films and TV

[@chestnuthose]

Excellent work - a great film and for us non-London people I'm always excited by the tube. Although £1000 is quite steep I'd love to visit a disused station myself sometime.

[@colinkennedy7353]

should open it again numbers would be up due to increases in passenger numbers

[@anokata-kd8oc]

I'm a lover of any underground structures and this is really amazing! Greetings from Germany!

[@that90skid72]

Reminds me of fallout 3, when you go inside the subway :D

[@johnloftus6780]

It’s not a subway

[@poteyatocheapp6978]

@@johnloftus6780 then what is it .-.

[@alexkar97]

Most of the tunnels fell into disuse because they were serving just one or two particular stations, which means that after their closure, they could no longer be used. As far as the tunnels unintended for passengers are concerned, they were restricted to use by the tube staff. And some of these stations have been turned into museums or film sets, however, renovating and repairing all of the old stations is very expensive. From what I'm aware, the stations belong to London Underground LTD (TFL).

[@nfaguade]

3:45 dayum

[@TheLondonCyclist]

I think I'm in love.

[@arbolestudio6176]

Fantastic, loved it!

[@paincreator2000]

somehow it looks like the station from matrix

[@borninatrunk]

Excellent. I loved it. Well done!

[@wqw888]

girl at the end is cute af

[@McBadger77]

Gee!! is there a difference between "sećret" and "closed"

[@RapiDEraZeR]

+Teastrings yeah,the kind that makes you want to plunge into the fountain immediately

[@kareenreid5212]

+Teastrings she flipping looks like younger lady gaga

[@florjanbrudar692]

You know she's a ghost, right?

[@neom472]

the architecture in these old places is insane I wish it was still like this today

[@worldwidelibra]

why not just reopened the station for uses such as a museum, gift hall, express service, etc. make money from it instead of just having it rot there for eternity

[@lockhughes]

Sebastian Hilton "Problem" perhaps with being overrun with pubic (sp?) for *any* uses. AKA "traffic". (Perhaps option for public to guide video camera "trains" up/ down along rails, etc. from ground level/above. Or remote via WWW. ;))

[@thebestspork]

Sebastian Hilton Because the lifts still don't work.

[@blondemario]

They're used for filming, and stations like Brompton Road are used as offices and have even been used to store rare items. Very few, especially after going down this path, are still usable. But, for the most part, you're right.

[@posttowersucksbigblackcoff6419]

platform b disliked this video and made 362 accounts

[@paulnewstead9693]

The part where people sat reading papers at that time compared to now where we all look down on our devices made me feel old.

[@josh6776]

Aldywch Ghost Station #ALDYWCHGHOST

[@PaulCashman]

I remember Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" was filmed in part at an abandoned Tube station; maybe this was it. Great job on the video, too.

[@davidjames579]

Down's Street in Mayfair, which has been abandoned since 1933.

[@tomjoad1363]

that's all ????

[@neyann]

I loved how the music stopped when the camera entered the station - it gave it so much suspense! Also, loving the last shot. Real-life April Ludgate.

[@Achtungmiche]

Amazing history!

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

@NVGS400 Congratulations, I'm delighted to hear that you achieved a first. This is an excellent film. Simon

[@moniqueleigh]

Great vid! I remember using Aldwych back in 1992 (spent spring semester in London on an exchange program through my college in the USA). The lifts were already quite frightening by that time and were often closed, forcing passengers to take the stairs. I seem to recall more than one occasion, a group of us exhausted students opting to get back onboard to the next station where we wouldn't have to schlep up 100+ stairs. Down was ok, but not up at the end of the day... ;)

[@graytherobot7italiano870]

You must be that old

[@moniqueleigh]

@@graytherobot7italiano870 Well, I'm 50 years old as of 2022, so yeah I'm old.

[@vaudevillian7]

Beautifully shot and brilliantly edited, an excellent piece of film-making