Craig's Court SW1: London's Forgotten Square
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มิ.ย. 2024
- Tucked away in the heart of London, Craig’s Court is a quiet little square which very few people seem to notice…
Despite its hidden nature though, Craig’s Court is full of history- including the building known as Harrington House, a Sherlock Holmes connection and even a secret tunnel. Oh, and the courtyard also played a role in helping London to get kerbs and pavements!
In this video we’ll be looking at the fascinating story behind this unassuming little spot…
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Craig’s Court, so please do feel free to share them in the comments. Likes and shares are also very much appreciated as they really do help the channel to grow! And if there are any other similar places in London you’d live to see covered, please let me know.
Thank you so much to all of you who’ve left kind comments on my previous videos recently; your support is truly appreciated. And if you’re a recent subscriber, welcome- it’s wonderful to have you here!
If you haven’t yet subscribed it would be great if you could please consider doing so because this, along with clicking the bell icon, will ensure that you don’t miss out whenever I publish a new video.
For now, thanks again friends. Stay well, and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Links:
Duncan Campbell's Article Exploring London's Secret Tunnels:
www.duncancampbell.org/menu/j...
Pear Tree House, South-East London's Secret Nuclear Bunker:
• Pear Tree House: South...
My Etsy Store (robsonlinedesigns):
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/robsonli...
Waterloo: A History of London's Busiest Terminus:
www.crowood.com/products/wate...
The Knowledge: Train Your Brain Like a Cabbie:
www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles...
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Credits:
Video and images:
19th Century Maps: National Library of Scotland
Fire Effect: Crazy Editor TH-cam Channel
Sin Fire Insurance Plaque Image: Museum of London
Music Used:
The Chamber (Kevin MacLeod, Creative Commons)
Introduzione a Balli (Pietro Torri, Creative Commons)
The Dark Moons of Jupiter (DivKid, Creative Commons)
Dark Hallway (Kevin MacLeod, Creative Commons)
Was Through The Park (TrackTribe, Creative Commons)
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How to make a good TH-cam video. Interesting, quirky subject, good research, proper narrative, no gimmicks, well chosen filler shots, calm and friendly narration.
That's really kind of you to say Jon; thank you, much appreciated :-)
@@Robslondonif you had done a TikTok dance it would have made it even better🤣
@@jamiepike6909 ;-)
My interest in the building holding the BT telephone exchange, earned me an uncomfortable conversation with a couple of plain clothes police officers in about 2004. They knew why I was there, and they knew that I knew why they were there, and didn't seem very amused.
The BT building is/was? an entry point into the tunnels under Whitehall. I told them this, and the name of the book (London Under London, by Richard Trench; 1985) that had told me so. I also told them that I had also been amused by the story of the eminent gent, whose carriage got stuck, and he had to eventually exit via the coach's sawn off roof. They wandered off after I told them that. I didn't linger, either.
Cheers Brian... yes, I did feel a bit awkward filming there even though the communications tunnel is in the public domain. I did have a chat with one fellow- who was very friendly- but he thought I was something to do with the scaffolding they've got up at the moment!
London under London is an interesting book. There is a copy in my library.
@@michaelmontagu3979 Yes, good book Michael I know it well
Monday May 6/2024, I have just discovered your channel and I have subscribed. I enjoyed you video on Craig's Court SW1 : London's forgotten Square.
Thank you so much Eve, good to have you here!
You really had to mention the tunnels and the BT Teleophone exchange, had you? Now I want to go down there EVEN MORE 😀Thanks for the video, Rob :)
Sorry Kai! 😂 You and me both! Stay well and thanks for the kind words 😉
Another location to add to my 'must visit' list for my next trip to London! Thanks Rob 👏👏
It’s a pleasure Rita, thanks for watching!
Another great video! You help us all find the hidden gems of London. Next time I'm in London I'm definitely checking out Craig's Court. I've walked right past it before and never knew it was there. I bought the Knowledge and if I could remember just one of the routes I'd be extremely thrilled. Waterloo is next on my list. Once again Rob thanks for the awesome video and keep up the great work. I can't tell you how much I enjoy your channel. 👍
You've made my day with your wonderful comment Johnny. Thank you so much mate; and thank you too for purchasing my book. Really appreciate it; I'm blessed to have people like you as friends of the channel. Thanks again and stay well :-)
My mum lived in a studio flat in Bolton Gardens when she was a student in the fifties. She loved it more than anywhere else she lived before or after!
Lovely comment Mary, thanks 😊
Well, how to start a Bank Holiday Weekend off in style.... find Rob has posted yet another fantastic video.... what a gem of a place.
I hope you and family are all doing well. Stay safe and you have me really drooling for that tease of London Pub explores now. All the best.
My word John, what a lovely comment! Thank you so much my friend; your words mean a great deal to me :-) We are all very well thanks; hope you are too?
Thanks again for you support, I'm blessed to have viewers like you- and I'm so happy to have contributed towards your Bank Holiday! Cheers and stay well.
Rob, I thought that I knew London better than most, but Craig's Court has eluded me until now. Thank you. A similar little gem that I like is 'The King's Wardrobe', off Carter Lane, just a stone's throw from St Paul's Cathedral. The Carter Lane area, needless to say, has three tucked-away pubs, just in case you get thirsty.
We are going to London tomorrow. Will check out Craig's Court and other areas you have highlighted!
I got your book and the first run that ended in Brixton Prison had me looking on Google maps. There is a resto there and we are booked to check it out!
Thanks Rob! Showing me parts of London we wouldn't have found on our own.
Oh Anita, thank you so much ☺️ Really glad I can help in some way! And thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying my book.
I have heard of the restaurant you mentioned, and have been meaning to try it out too- not got around to it yet though. Hope you have a great time!
Thanks again for the wonderful comment and stay well.
...I walked very near here when visiting London back in 1979 ...was exploring the area around Trafalgar Square ... love your details on this spot!...
Thanks so much Edward 😊 Stay well.
Thank you for this glimpse of Craig’s Court. As a follower of the Barker and Llewelyn mysteries by Will Thomas, it is wonderful to see the setting of the books. The books are beautifully narrated by Antony Ferguson and now I can visualize the setting as I listen.
Lovely comment Ingrid, thank you :-)
Thank you for another delightful video!
A pleasure! Thanks for watching
Love these hidden gems, thank you, Rob! I surely have unwittingly walked by this wonderful courtyard many a time, not knowing that I should have turned down into it!
Thank you so much Mistydazzle 😊
Great and interesting video as always. Loved it. Thanks Rob.👍👍👍😍😍😍
Thank you so much Sharon! ☺️
I too worked in Q on and off in the 80s and 90s. Being the 1st female to work there, BT had to provide a ladies toilet. From what I recall, the answer was to change the signs from Gents, to Ladies and Gents and put a lock on the door 😆
Brilliant comment Vicky! Thanks for sharing 😉
Rob, you know why people miss this Square ? It is because whilst walking along Whitehall on the mentioned pavements you are constantly looking at people so you do not bump into them.
You mentioned tunnels I think that picture from what I have heard is only scathing the surface, it is I think quite a complicated net work but we will never know ?? !!
Yesterday another excellent and well edited video so interesting, this time it is greetings from here in South London back from my three months travels around Thailand
Keep up the good work
Cheers Butch!
A good point about why people miss it! And yes, you're right- the tunnels are very complex.
If you read the article Duncan Campbell wrote in 1980 (I linked it in the description in case you missed it) you'll see he entered the network at a point in Bethnal Green... and then used a bike to cycle through the tunnels towards Whitehall!
Hope south London is treating you well ;-)
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you.
Thanks so much Jacqueline, really appreciate your kind words 😊 Stay well.
I never knew this little gem existed and I'v been past it so many times and thought I knew the area. Thanks I'll have a look next time I'm passing. And will pop in the pub so I;m prewarned for your next subject.
Cheers Russell, hope you enjoy your exploration! Stay well.
Back in the 90’s, I was responsible for the strategic use of the exchange building in Craig Square - Whitehall ATE. The entrance to the building contains a reputed haunted staircase and is locked off from general access- the entrance to the building is through a ‘side’ entrance adjacent to the pub. The deep level tunnels are quite a thing to traverse, as long as you have clearance you won’t be stopped by military stationed along the route.
Brilliant comment! Thank you.
Thank you - love videos about London's old houses and mansions :)
It's a pleasure Jim, thanks for watching!
Blimey snuff, that's a blast from the past🤣next time I'm in London I must learn to stop and take more of these fine building in. Ps I've been in the Old Shades👍🍺
Ha ha! You don't see snuff much nowadays do you Dave? ;-) Cheers mate and stay well.
Cheers mate super video as always, looking forward to your next instalment,take care and stay safe 👍 Nicholas
Really appreciate your kind words and support Nicholas :-) Thank you and stay well.
Craig's Square would be a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle of the madness that is the heart of London ... if only there were benches or some place to sit and do so. As it is, it is just a hole in the middle of the city. I am sure that the surrounding buildings are great for cutting down on the noise, but a place to rest one's feet would be nice, too.
Yes- couldn’t agree more.
Hi Rob
Well you've done it again, producing a wonderfully researched video and giving me another part of London I have walked and driven past for many years, and yet had no idea existed, you've also given me another pub to visit , great stuff as always
Cheers
Mike
It's a pleasure Mike; thank you so much as ever for your kind words and support; really appreciate it. Stay well.
I’m looking forward to the future edition on Walkers of Whitehall. That’s been a staging post for me for nigh on 30 years!
😉
Lived in SW1 for 4 years and never found Craig's Court.. Thank you.
Thank you 😊
Wonderful as always! Rob, you have the most soothing voice and accent. As we say in the States, I could listen to you read the telephone book. Thanks for taking us along on these great adventures!!
Thank you so much Todd; your kind words mean a lot me :-) Much appreciated; stay well and thanks again!
After watching this video, I'm going to start not allowing myself to be seen in public before 6pm. Fascination subject matter and great narration, as always. The front door of Harrington House is in a shocking state of disrepair.
It is, isn't it... very sad to see it in a sorry state. Thanks for the great comments ;-)
another great video rob
I especially like you seem to find them little gems which
are hid right in front of you
thanks rob and all the best
Much appreciated Andy, thank you. Stay well.
Fascinating! Thanks.
Cheers Matthew ☺️
It’s so funny - you never even think to go down the little side streets when walking by but this shows there’s so much interesting history and beautiful old buildings to be found. Great video as always x
Lovely comment Louise, thank you so much ☺️
Found your channel recently so it's my latest binge watch. Videos are beyond brilliant!
That means so much to me Marjorie- thank you 😊 Really glad you found my channel, it’s an honour to have you here. Thanks again and stay well.
Recently found your channel, and I'm loving your videos. There are so many fascinating places in London.
Thank you so much, great to have you here!
Fascinatingly thorough, and thoroughly fascinating as always, Rob.
Might be six months since I found your channel, but you moved right to the top of my 'excited when they upload' list of TH-cam subscriptions as soon as I'd watched your catalogue 🙂
With love from Yorkshire xx
Mickey, I can't express how much your kind words mean to me. Thank you so much sir; I'm blessed to have you as a friend of the channel; it's kind words like yours that keep pushing me to make videos.
Love Yorkshire by the way; truly beautiful part of the world ;-)
Thanks again and stay well.
Thanks Rob. Another well researched video of a London gem. Thanks
Many thanks Doug, stay well.
Another wonderful video. I always look forward to watching your videos. Next time I come to London I will check out some of the places you have mentioned. Also some of the tube pubs mentioned in your previous videos. Many thanks Rob.
I really appreciate that Darren; thank you so much :-) Stay well.
Thanks for a great video - didn’t know any of this!
It's a pleasure; thank you so much for watching!
Very informative. Always a pleasure to watch 😉
Cheers Basil 😊
Yet another gem from you Rob, just brilliant! Your videos are even better than Joolz Guides, as dear old Jules tends to get a bit excitable, and he waffles on too fast. Yours are calm, collected and precise, and way more interesting! No wonder QI has been my favourite tv show since it started all those years ago! I have quite a few books somewhere that I got in the late 70s early 80s about the hidden squares, tunnels, and other places in London, and there was a movie out in 1987 called 'Hidden City' starring Charles Dance. I don't know if you've seen it or not, but it is really Quite Interesting ! Cheers!
Bless you Bobby, that means a lot to me, thank you so much.
I’ve not seen the film you mentioned but would love to! 😉
@@Robslondon Well here it is my friend, in a restored version!! 😁 I saw it when it was originally shown on Ch 4 in the 80s.
th-cam.com/video/1SMHZqCYY5o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6EWSDHGyjntN9HPD
Cool! I once found a similar hidden little place just off Oxford Street. I was walking on the left-hand side, away from Marble Arch, and there was this tiny little alleyway. I went in because I was curious and to escape from the noise and the many people for a moment. And found a couple of nice cafés inside, one of them I think a Prêt à Manger which had very good tea and a few vegan options. 🙂 With fresh spinach leaves.
I’ll have to go and find that one! 😉
Could you be referring to Gee's Court, which leads on to St Christopher's Place?
Thank you for another very interesting video.
Thanks Scott 😉
Will definitely pop in and take a look
Have fun Paul ;-) Cheers.
Another pleasantly entertaining video, not overly flashy or sensationalist just a good old down to earth program.
That means a lot to me Chris, thank you so much. Stay well.
Thank you for the video!
It's a pleasure Daniel; thank you so much for watching :-)
Lovely stuff! Thanks for revealing another little hidden corner of London. I'll definitely duck in there when I'm next passing.
Thanks Richard; it's a pleasure! Hope you enjoy your peek in there when you get to it ;-) Stay well.
Cheers from your newest subscriber from California !
Thanks so much Olin; lovely to have you here!
(Late to the party, but) I used to work just around the corner in Northumberland Avenue, and think I must often have walked past the entrance to Craig's Court to get to the old Whitehall Sandwich Bar at lunch time... and never registered that it was there!
Thanks- you’re never too late, nice comment 😉
New subscriber here. Coming in Feb of 23. Your channel will be a great reference for my trip.
Cheers DaMon, good to have you here! I should have plenty more videos out before then for you to go through ;-) Where are you travelling from?
@@Robslondon Comming from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Escaping our 40-degree summer. February is our hottest month. Can't wait. Look forward to more vids and going though your past catalogue.
@@damonturnbull5903 Blimey, a long way to come ;-) Will be worth it though! Hope my videos prep you in the meantime! Thanks again
A fantastic documentary and extremely interesting.
you are also such a talented artist, I love your illustrations, hence have purchased three of your mugs.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
Excellent! The history is fascinating and embraces past celebrities, influential figures and great events over hundreds of years. I shall look there on my next visit. Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊👍👍
Thanks for your lovely comment; much appreciated! :-) Stay well.
Great video it’s lovely to learn historical facts about London without any censorship.
Thanks David
I walk past that every day and have never noticed it!
Ha ha! You’ll need to have a peek down there 😉
Great informative video!
Thank you so much 😊
Henry de la Beche was a friend of Mary Anning of Lyme Regis, palaeontologist, from whom he gathered fossils and developed his own knowledge of prehistory.
The UK Census Office was also in Craig's Court c.1850-1862.
A delightful and interesting video, thank you Rob.
Lovely comment, ParArdua thank you :-) I didn't know about the Mary Anning connection, interesting. Thanks again and stay well.
Terrific vid thanks Rob 👌
A pleasure Louise; thanks so much for watching! And thank you for the kind words :-) Stay well.
Cheers Rob
Superb
😊🏴☠️
Much appreciated Alan ;-) Cheers and stay well.
Good stuff! Liked and subscribed 👍
Thanks so much Jennifer! Great to have you here :-) Stay well.
Fabulous video buddy 😄
Cheers Greg! 😊
Absolutely facinating, interesting to see tc phillips book can still be purchased!
Thanks Wendy 😊
As a fan of London’s squares I’ll definitely check Craig’s Court soon.
Thanks Michelle, hope you find it of interest :-)
Really nice video very enjoyable thanks 🙏
Thanks Graham, much appreciated
This is brilliant 👌
Thank you so much Vanessa 😊
Wonderful stuff as always. Having grown up with a housekeeper in Old Brompton Road as a mum, some names here - Onslow and Stanhope for example are familiar as garden names from my early youth in the fifties.
Lovely comment Paul, thanks so much. Cheers and stay well.
Great video really interesting. I am among those who passed this little square by many times! Too busy looking at Horatio probably.
Many thanks John! Be sure to have a peek down there next time you're in the area ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
Idea for a video rob… how about covering the history and development of areas you grew up in or lived around london? Just about everywhere in london has interesting history and it would interesting (to me at least) to hear why those areas are special to you.
Thanks for the lovely comment :-) Believe it or not my next video will feature one particular location which is personal to me! And I am hoping to look at more places around where I grew up in the near future. Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon yourre welcome, ive really enjoyed both the exceptional content and production quality of your videos, they are clearly made with love and theyve taught me a lot about london.
@@probablynotmyname8521 That means a great deal to me; thank you so much :-)
A great and VERY professional post... hundreds of times I've past by the court.. thanks for the post
It's a pleasure Patrick; thank you so much for the kind words; really appreciate it. Stay well.
@@Robslondon hi Rob...thank you again for the post... very professional.. the next time I'm down there I will go there and think of the post..I have subscribed...and I will tell my friends about your site
@@patrickpayne8272 Thanks so much Patrick, really appreciate your support :-) Stay well my friend.
Meard Street in Soho is a little gem of early 18th century houses. It's pedestrian only now. Apparently Nell Gwynn lived there for some time.
Yes; good call 😉
That was great. I'll definitely be looking for it next time in the area.
Thanks Darrien :-)
Another enjoyable and most informative video from this excellent channel! From the teaser posted a few days ago, I had assumed from the state of the building's facade that this was one of those false frontages masking an Underground line and that that was to be the topic of the video. This not being the case, the building seems badly in need of care and attention. The front door seems not even to be in use.
Thanks so much for the wonderful comment Marcomanseckisax! The false frontages would make an excellent topic by the way ;-)
Yes, the building looks very unused... the front door of Harrington House doesn't even seem to have a handle. Someone else in the comments has said that they've heard it's now connected to the BT Exchange... which sounds plausible. Hopefully someone will see this and be able to fill us in!
Thanks again and stay well; really appreciate your support.
So interesting and informative! Great video! Thanks!
Many thanks Keith :-) Much appreciated.
@@Robslondon Thanks for your kind reply! I look forward to watching more from your channel!
@@keithmartin1067 Cheers Keith ;-)
Thanks Rob. I worked for many years in nearby Whitehall Place, but I had quite forgotten this square, and did not know its history.
It’s a pleasure Tim, thanks for watching and stay well
Got to say., I'm hooked :)
😄
Another great vid 🍻
Much appreciated Michael, thank you.
Thank you 👏👏👏
Thanks Barbara
Thanks for this video, really interesting - sad to say I use to regularly walk past this on the way to catch the bus to work with no idea such a lovely place was there, now live at other end of the ocuntry :-(
I just might have to visit some friends south of the river and make a point of visiting this and a few other places - great video.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Sandra. Missing it is easily done! Hope you make it back soon so you can take a peek ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
I worked in various MOD Whitehall buildings for 15 years but never realised it was there although I have walked past it many times. How did I miss it?
Ha ha! That must mean it's *really* secret if you didn't know about it Andy!! ;-) Thanks and stay well.
I was based in the FCO for a number of years and used to walk past the entrance on my way to and from work. I peeped in once.
Watched this one last night. I had heard the name Craig's Court, possibly in a book about secret shelters etc, but I'd never seen the place. Looks brilliant, and as you say, easy to miss. As you know from my comments on your Pickering Place video, I love these kind of places, but St James's area is still my favourite. Still got a few more of your videos to catch up on. Hope you're keeping well.
Cheers Barry; all good here thanks- hope you're keeping well too. And thank you as always for the kind words :-) Stay well.
Interesting these hidden gems
Thanks Zona 😊
Wow that was interesting as you said all the thousands of people that must’ve walked past that little alley I never knew that place existed
Many thanks Ron! Yes, it’s very well hidden! Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon It would be interesting to know how many other hidden little streets and courts that are around the city
@@rontanser9369 Yes, it’s a fascinating subject… there are a lot as you can guess! I’m hoping to cover more of them 😉 Cheers Ron
Hi Rob, 👍👍👍 a great interesting exploration. What elegant architecture at that time too. It reminds me of the Blue Coat Chambers in Bold St? Liverpool. There are lots of little Courts off Lower Brigade Leeds hidden from open view behind alleyways. There is still Kenyon's? Jewelers shop and building where the display windows and counter dropped into the basement strong room at closing time. Its now a cafe bar. The rather ballsy statue of the naked seafarer on the old Lewis's department store in Liverpool, which was a popular meeting point for shoppers etc. However as a new subscriber its about Robs London so I will keep the faith and not bore your London subscribers with out of London things 😎 Cheers matey DougT in Mancs
Liverpool’s a great city, love the architecture there- and I’m a big fan of the Merseyrail underground stations!
@@Robslondon yuppers I lived in L.pool L7 Smithdown Road area for a few years in the 80's and a local pub which was tiled outside was still gas light lit! and suitably teak interior. Sadly its now student bedsits 😠 (with electric lights!!!)
@@douglasthompson296 Oh man :-( These developers can't leave anything alone.
Awesome
Thanks Eric :-)
brilliant! i can't get over how much you know! thanks, rob. :)
Ha ha :-) That's so kind of you to say hellie el, thank you! Stay well and thanks as always for your support, I really do appreciate it.
rob, dear boy, you are so sweet, and it comes across so well in your videos. i hope you enjoy making these videos as much as we enjoy watching them. you’re channel may not be big (yet!) but just look at your views to subscriber ratio - so many views! i’m still keeping an eye out for a mug with your pigeon mascot. (tooly? tooley?) blessings.
@@hellie_el Oh my, thank you!
I love making these videos and it greatly warms my heart that they're even being watched at all :-) I'm truly blessed with the viewers I have; I honestly can't thank you all enough.
I haven't forgotten about the Tooley mug! That will be appearing, I'm just trying to give the channel a little more momentum at the moment- which I hope is working.
Thanks so much again, you're a star hellie el.
i’ve made a robs london pinterest board to share your videos. (i’m not on any of the other social media sites, i’m afraid.) i hope this helps your channel at least a little bit. have a great day, rob. hellie
@@hellie_el Oh wow! That’s incredible, thank you so much 😄 Truly appreciated.
Hello Rob
Most excellent video. You are right have walked by there many times. I have eaten in one of those pubs. What is the house used for now? Take care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
Thanks so much 😊 Unfortunately I have no idea what Harrington House is used for now, it looks empty- and quite eerie! Someone has just suggested though that it could be connected to the telephone exchange…
Thanks again John In Chicago
Thanks John 🙂
Another fine and informative video Rob. Any idea what the building is now, as it looks like it's s taken a turn for the worse?
Many thanks Paul, much appreciated. Yes, the building looks a lot worse for wear.... quite eerie actually. Someone in the comments said they'd heard it was now connected to the BT Exchange which sounds plausible, although unfortunately I don't know for sure. Thanks again and stay well.
@@Robslondon Thanks Rob.
Yessss! 👍
😁
brilliant video
I really appreciate that, thank you so much 😊
@@Robslondon thank you for posting, will take a look there next time I’m down in London
@@liamjh81 Thanks again 😉
excellent video
Really appreciate that wendalboy; thank you so much. Stay well.
Thanks for another interesting video Rob. If you look at Craig’s Court in Apple Maps, Satellite view and then in 3D, the building on the south side of the square is totally gutted with only its façades left. You can see right into its basement and what suspiciously looks like a tunnel entrance under the square. Fascinating. I must try those pubs on my next visit to the Big Smoke. Cheers.
Cheers Richard, I wasn't aware of that... I'll go and have a look, sounds very intriguing! Thanks for the nice comment and stay well :-)
@@Robslondon You need and up-to-date version of iOS to get the 3D, then tilt the image to look from the south. At the very least it shows just how deep the basements are in this part of London.
@@ricardo84 Really interesting, thanks Richard.
Hi Rob. With regard to the Hidden City film I've sent you twice, here is my true story..... I saw it when it first came out, and it's quite amazing when you think that this was Stephen Poliakoff's first as a director! I've watched everything Pokiakoff has ever made. When it reached 1:00:16 a chill went down my spine. The man filming and opening the small suitcase ... it had an off white and pale blue pouch inside..... That pouch belonged to the masons..... and I owned it back in approx 2008. When I was trying to sell it I had a mason try and buy it from me, but he never offered me much, so I told him not to waste my time, and he cleared off. Then for the next few hours 2 menacing looking men were watching me. One of them eventually came and gave me a lot more money for it. I was glad to get rid of it. I used to work for the Ministry of Defence at a secret base hidden in the Warwickshire valleys. It covers 50 sq miles and it's still in operation now. It is very highly secure with armed soldiers and police guarding it. It has hundreds of underground bunkers and so much more within the complex. And there is an RAF base next door, and if anything or anyone tries to fly anywhere near or over the base, 2 fighters are scrambled to go up and warn whoever to clear off, otherwise they WILL be shot down. No messing. When I worked there even I knew secrets about the Royal Family and our military, contained within the base. The movie is no fantasy. All of Poliakoff's output is based on the truth, regarding the State and the Royal's secrets! Spooky stuff, so keep looking over your shoulder, you know that we are all being watched and listened to. Cheers!
Gosh!
@@Robslondon That is a fab film Rob, I hope you like it. You'll see things in it that you and Joolz have both visited, including that remembrance wall which records the deaths of various children who saved others. Happy BH Monday mate.
@@bobbybigboyyes Thanks, will have to give it a watch
@@Robslondon That's why I sent you it. It's one of my favourite films of all time. It gets more revealling towards the end. 😆
Thank you for my regular lie in treat.
Ha ha, thanks Perry ;-)
Thanks Rob, always a pleasure to watch. At 1.00 min, a red phone box comes into view in the bottom right corner with a chimney on top. I’ve seen a couple of these chimney topped boxes in central London but can’t find an explanation anywhere for the chimney’s purpose. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks again for such an informative Channel.
Thanks so much for the kind words P K. That’s a great question about the phone box; unfortunately I don’t have the answer but would love to know too! Hopefully someone in the comments may know? Thanks again and stay well.
Strangely when you check out the box on street view there is no sign of the chimney! I selected the South African High commission to look at the 360 and the box is easily checked.
@@bob56gibson Interesting, cheers Bob 😉
I used to work in (Q Whi) tunnels in the 80s-90s. Long time no see.
Would love to see them 😉
@@Robslondon back then it was great to be a young man working in a cool place. I’ve seen videos of people in similar tunnels in different parts of London and it’s sad to see that they weren’t just decommissioned, but were totally gutted and left in such a messy state. I could tell you some great tales of working down there. Some rooms hadn’t been opened since pre Cold War days and the glue in the wooden furniture and floor tiles had dried up to the point that the chairs had fallen apart. We used to use a narrow electric train and buggy to get from one end to the other.
@@LysanderLH Incredible. And very intriguing ;-)
@@Robslondon for the most part, it was just people going to work. That work was in a series of tunnels and at some places, tube trains would rattle along above us, the toilets flushed up to the sewers, it was possible to take a wrong turn and end up down some fairly spooky dead ends and conversely, no ends. You could see the ceiling lights disappear down some of them and the least used ones smelled of damp metal. Most people never spoke about what they did and the various security passes looked like bad 1960s wallpaper. I’ll never see it again but I believe I’d be more interested in being down there now, than I was then.
@@LysanderLH Thanks so much for sharing.
I knew that alley back in the old days of the last century. Wasn't well lit overnight.
Yes, pretty creepy in the dark… 😬
Dr Watson's box at Cox & Co. features in the opening to the 1970 film, "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes." The stories in the film allegedly come from that long-forgotten box.
That’s brilliant, thanks 😊 I wasn’t aware it was referenced in that film, thanks for sharing!
A fascinating gem of a video! For some reason I'd always imagined that Harrington House and the telephone exchange are now interconnected - is this the case or not?
Thank you so much 😊 To be honest I don’t know, although it seems like that could be the case. Harrington House looks pretty secret itself; quite an eerie building… Hopefully someone in the comments will know? Thanks again for your support and stay well,
Yes they are connected. I worked in Whitehall T.E.
@@alantaylor2117 Thanks Alan
Poor old Arthur probably wouldn't have got stuck if someone had have been more considerate with the scaffold and pile of sacks left on the pavement. It's always the same when you want to get your fat waggon down there.
😂
🙃 - they didn’t exist when that happened
I have walked by there many times, but never even noticed this (probably just assumed it was an alley)
Yes, it's very easy to miss from the outside! You'll have to take a peek next time you're around there Jim ;-) Thanks and stay well.
I have a sneaking suspicion the square wont be a quiet as it was :)
Ha ha! ;-) Cheers Stephen.