Hidden Tube Tour – Piccadilly Circus: The Heart of London

Beneath the bustling heart of London lies a hidden world waiting to be explored. The Hidden Tube Tour at Piccadilly Circus invites adventurous travelers to venture behind the scenes of this iconic underground station, uncovering its Edwardian past and captivating stories that have long been shrouded in mystery. Led by expert guides, this 75-minute journey takes visitors through disused passenger tunnels, revealing the station’s original design features and offering a glimpse into its history as a wartime shelter. Whether you’re a transportation enthusiast or simply curious about the city’s hidden gems, this tour promises to captivate your senses and leave you eager to uncover more of London’s well-kept secrets.

Key Points

• The Hidden Tube Tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the disused, off-limits areas of Piccadilly Circus Underground station, showcasing its original Edwardian design features.

• The 75-minute guided tour takes visitors behind the station’s secret doors, allowing them to discover the station’s fascinating wartime history as a bomb shelter.

• Expert tour guides share captivating stories about the station’s evolution, including the notorious "Piccadilly Circus Gang" and the station’s transformation into a wartime refuge.

• The tour is not suitable for children under 14, individuals with claustrophobia, or those with mobility issues, as it involves navigating through confined spaces.

• Centrally located at the iconic Piccadilly Circus, the tour provides a unique window into the heart of London’s transportation history and its architectural legacy.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Overview of the Hidden Tube Tour

The Hidden Tube Tour of Piccadilly Circus Underground station offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the station’s disused and off-limits areas, including original Edwardian design features and insights into its history as a wartime shelter.

The 75-minute guided tour takes visitors behind the station’s secret doors to discover the station’s past and evolution over the years. Expert tour guides share fascinating stories about the station’s hidden tunnels, which have been closed to the public since 1929.

The tour is suitable for adults aged 14 and above, though it’s not recommended for those with claustrophobia or mobility issues. Participants can expect to travel to and from Piccadilly Circus Station as part of the experience.

Tour Duration and Type

The Hidden Tube Tour of Piccadilly Circus Underground station lasts for 75 minutes, providing participants with a guided exploration of the station’s disused and off-limits areas.

This tour is categorized as a guided tour, with the language of instruction being English.

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 14, people with claustrophobia, or those with mobility impairments, as it involves navigating through confined spaces.

The tour takes visitors behind secret doors to discover the station’s original Edwardian design features and learn about its rich history, including its use as a wartime shelter.

Knowledgeable tour guides share fascinating stories about the station’s evolution over the years, making this a unique and engaging experience for participants.

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes a 75-minute guided exploration of Piccadilly Circus Underground station, with access to its disused passenger tunnels and wartime shelter, as well as travel to and from the station.

However, the tour excludes children under 14, individuals with claustrophobia, and those with mobility impairments, as the tour involves navigating through confined spaces.

Visitors will discover original Edwardian design features and learn fascinating stories about the station’s history and evolution from expert tour guides.

While the tour offers a unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes of this iconic London landmark, it isn’t suitable for everyone, particularly those who may find the enclosed environments challenging.

Meeting Point and Location

Visitors will meet at the bottom of the stairs at Exit 4 of Piccadilly Circus Underground station, located at the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Coventry Street, next to the Criterion Restaurant.

This convenient location provides easy access to the tour and serves as the starting point for the Hidden Tube Tour.

The meeting point offers the following advantages:

1. Centrally located within the heart of London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus.
2. Adjacent to the Criterion Restaurant, a notable landmark.
3. Clear and easily identifiable stairs at Exit 4 of the underground station.
4. Allows for a seamless transition from the surface to the subterranean tour experience.

The meeting point ensures a smooth start to the Hidden Tube Tour, allowing participants to begin their journey into the hidden secrets of Piccadilly Circus Underground station.

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Highlights of the Tour

Behind secret doors, tour participants step into disused passenger tunnels closed to the public since 1929, where they discover original Edwardian design features and uncover the station’s fascinating history, including its use as a wartime shelter.

Expert tour guides regale visitors with captivating stories about the station’s past and its evolution over the years.

Participants get a rare glimpse of the iconic Piccadilly Circus Underground station, exploring parts that are normally off-limits.

From the hidden passageways to the station’s wartime role, the tour offers a unique window into the heart of London’s transportation history, providing an unforgettable experience for those curious to delve deeper into the city’s underground secrets.

Exploring Disused Passenger Tunnels

While stepping behind secret doors, tour participants find themselves immersed in a world frozen in time – the disused passenger tunnels of Piccadilly Circus Underground station, closed to the public since 1929.

These forgotten passageways offer a glimpse into the station’s past, revealing:

1. Original Edwardian architectural features, such as tiled walls and ornate details.

2. Remnants of the station’s wartime use as a bomb shelter, including benches and graffiti left by former occupants.

3. Eerie echoes of footsteps long since silenced, evoking a sense of the station’s bustling history.

4. A tangible connection to the stories and experiences of the countless travelers who once traversed these now-abandoned corridors.

Discovering Edwardian Design Features

As tour participants descend into the hidden tunnels, they encounter a wealth of Edwardian design features that transport them back in time.

Ornate tiled walls, intricate architectural flourishes, and meticulously crafted details come alive, offering a glimpse into the station’s grand past.

The original Edwardian aesthetic is evident in the elegant ironwork, decorative archways, and the intricate patterns adorning the walls.

These design elements not only showcase the craftsmanship of the era but also reflect the station’s importance as a bustling transportation hub.

Exploring these hidden gems allows visitors to appreciate the rich history and attention to detail that defined the Edwardian era of London’s underground network.

Fascinating Stories From Expert Guides

The tour guides’ captivating narratives transport participants on a journey through time, regaling them with fascinating stories about the station’s evolution and the colorful characters who’ve traversed its hidden passageways. From tales of wartime resilience to accounts of daring robberies, the guides weave a tapestry of intrigue and history.

Attendees learn about:

• The station’s transformation into a World War II air raid shelter, where Londoners sought refuge from the Blitz.

• The notorious ‘Piccadilly Circus Gang’ and their brazen attempts to rob the station’s ticket offices.

• The engineers and architects who designed the station’s distinctive Edwardian aesthetic.

• The station’s role in shaping the cultural landscape of London, from its connections to the theater district to its iconic status as a bustling hub.

Recap

The Hidden Tube Tour offers a captivating glimpse into the hidden history of Piccadilly Circus Underground station.

Led by knowledgeable guides, visitors can explore the station’s disused tunnels, discover its Edwardian design, and uncover the fascinating stories that have shaped this iconic London landmark.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, this unique tour is a must-do for anyone seeking to explore the heart of the city’s transportation heritage.

You can check if your dates are available here: