Under Oxford Street

All In London Forum
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All In London
ORIGINAL: glasgowosteopath

Just some extra info for anyone interested. The street under lilley and skinner does/did exist. managed to get in there years ago.

I read an interview with someone (unfortuately can't remember who, but it was in connection with a music video I think) who discribed how they got into street connected with selfidges. they didn't talk about man hole, but rather going to a wall through a door, which lead into a corridor running length of wall. This then lead to a crawl space into the street. can't remember which wall, can only assume was front aspect (oxford street) and don't know which "floor" it was on.

another series of spaces that might are interesting to get into are the ones under the block where mapin and web is on regent street used to be able to get in via linen hall. managed to get to sub-sub-sub-sub basement level. It was very dark (suprise, suprise) and wet about 1 foot of water. there is suposed to be another sub under that, but I guess is full of water.

two interesting facts (well 2 me)relating to water level.

1) the brewing industry in london used to draw off the undergound water and this lowered/kept the water table down. maybe making these streets available
2)A brewery at the back of regent street helped in the formation of epidemiology. the workers drank beer didn't get cholera, the rest of the locals got there water from a pump (these ones got it) there's a plaque on the pump noel street/poland street area.

could post more on underground london, but probably bored everyone enough!




On the contrary, not bored at all, I find this kind of stuff fascinating.

We can setup a blog for you if you want to write more of it :)

AIL Staff
Posted: 2010-04-09 13:00:09
kindheart
Yes it does exist. It was featured in a series presented by "Suggs" the singer with Madness. The series was called "Hidden London" from about 8 years ago. It showed footage of the vistorian shop fronts that are under the present Oxford street. About 15 feet lower than street height today. It was fascinating to see the preserved shop fronts and was very errie.
Posted: 2010-05-21 01:09:02
ianmac
In update to the 4oD link there now appears to be a YouTube link from 4oD for 'Ghosts of London' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHSfN5pxf34

Interestingly Robert Elms is on now talking about underground stuff again - one of his favourite subjects.
Posted: 2010-10-05 15:33:45
SimboSmith
i saw a program about Selfridges (one of those 'how london was built' things) and i remember that there was loads of tunnels, because they were driving around them in little trucks. apparently they had some kind of secret telephone down there that scrambled all the messages that churchill sent to roosevelt.
Posted: 2010-10-11 20:58:27
Slimsid2000
I know the Central Line runs under Oxford Street from marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road.
Posted: 2010-10-12 16:27:28
Doccu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHSfN5pxf34&list=SL
Posted: 2011-01-07 01:32:48
planetearthisblue
dear all

I worked at Lilley and Skinner 360 Oxford St in the early eighties and can confirm that the preserved "street" is/was located in the sub sub basement.
Posted: 2011-05-05 09:53:08
All In London
ORIGINAL: planetearthisblue

dear all

I worked at Lilley and Skinner 360 Oxford St in the early eighties and can confirm that the preserved "street" is/was located in the sub sub basement.



Welcome to All In London :wave:

I was just thinking about this the other day. Did you get to see it? Or hear any interesting stories about it?

AIL Staff :)
Posted: 2011-05-05 13:48:28
crawler
The film The Ghostd Of Oxford Street is available to watch on SeeSaw TV on the internet
Posted: 2011-05-08 19:25:51
ilovetimburton
I am super intrigued about this... Never heard of this before, only little rumours! I would love to see this... :biggrin:

I will go get my Victorian London gear on! :dance:
Posted: 2011-05-08 20:03:20
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