Aldgate Station

It has been said, a few years ago, an electrician working at the station had slipped between the tracks and hit a live rail which sent 22,000 volts through his body. Miraculously, he managed to survive; instead, he was knocked unconscious and experienced minor bruising on his forehead. However, his co-workers, who watched the accident happen, told an investigation that they saw an old lady stroking the electrician’s hair just before his fall. This was not the first time Aldgate station have experience paranormal activity, the staff have reportedly heard mysterious footsteps in the tunnels during their night shift. Some have even claimed the station keeps a special log book for ghost sightings.

Location: Aldgate East Underground Station, Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7PT

Liverpool Street Station

In summer 2015, new archaeological evidence revealed the station was dug through one of London’s mass burial pits, containing the remains of plague victims from the 17^th century. The plague pit, thought to have at least thirty bodies, contained coffin remains and a grave stoned marked “1665”. Samples were taken for tests and researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany were able to scan the teeth and confirm that the cause of death was bubonic plague. The workers at the station have reportedly complained that the air often felt oppressive and at times they felt uneasy.

Location: Liverpool Street Station, Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7PY

British Museum Station

British Museum was a working station on the London Underground. The “ghost station” is still located between Tottenham Court Road station and Holborn Station on the Central Line; Londoners can still see the disused platform when they look through their window but no passengers have used the station since 1933. The abandoned state of the station has captured the attention of influential writers, with an appearance in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, a mention in the 1972 horror film Death Line and featured in a movie called Bulldog Jack.

In Bulldog Jack, the station had a fictitious tunnel from the station to the Egyptian room at the museum. Rumour has it, on the same night the movie was released two women disappeared from Holborn station, the next station along, and strange marks were found on the walls of British Museum station.  Stories began to spread that the station was haunted by an Egyptian spirit that appears in a loin cloth and Egyptian headdress. Some sources suggest that prior to the station’s closure a local newspaper offered a reward to anyone willing to spend the night and hunt the vengeful spirit.

Location: British Museum Station, 133 High Holborn, London, WC1V CPN

Bethnal Green Station

During World War II, Bethnal Green station was used as an air raid shelter, providing shelter to the public from German bombs. On March 3, 1943, nicknamed “The Bethnal Green Tube Shelter Disaster”, an explosion was heard and panic spread causing 173 people to be crushed to death as people desperately trying to desperately enter the station.  In fact, allegedly, most of the lives lost were women and children. It has been rumoured that a member of the station, as the last train departed, had heard strange noises. He claimed to hear children sobbing, women wailing and compared the sounds to people panicking.

Location: Bethnal Green Underground Station, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 0ET

Covent Garden Station

Legend has it that notable Shakespeare performer William Terriss, who was stabbed to death by fellow, mentally unstable, actor Richard Prince at the nearby Adelphi Theatre, haunts Covent Garden station. The late William Terriss was said to be a regular customer at a bakery which stood in the station’s place; it was well known he was fond of their cake and bread. So late at night, members of the public reportedly spotted a tall man in an old-fashioned grey suit, hat and gloves pacing around the platforms. When they were shown a picture of the deceased actor, they claimed the ghost looked identical to William.

Location: Covent Garden Underground Station, Long Acre, London, WC2E 9JT

Edited by Chermaine Sowah

The post The London Underground: Creepy Tales and Spooky Sightings appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Independent bookshops, with their creaky doors, worn-out sofas and overcrowded shelves, are little pockets of comfort in a fast-paced city. For Londoners it is the human touches that make indie bookshops so enticingly charming. Nestled among busy streets – often hidden in alleyways – they are the antithesis of Amazon algorithms and impersonal computer generated recommendations. From bookstores with monthly feminist book clubs, to secret locations and that wonderful old book smell, here is a guide to the best independent bookshops in London.

1. Lutyens and Rubinstein 

21 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU, 020-7792 4855

On a quaint Notting Hill street lined with bakeries and boutiques, this relatively new bookshop has quickly become a local staple. Founded by established literary agents, Lutyens and Rubinstein has gained a reputation as the place to go for some pleasant bookish chat, and rightly so. Customers are greeted like old friends by shop manager Claire, cup of tea in hand and eager to discuss this week’s new releases or reminisce about her favourite childhood reads. Offering the ultimate one-to-one experience, complete with coffee and biscuits, the knowledgeable staff add an old fashioned, personal dimension to bookselling.

Children’s manager, Tara Spinks: “It’s a cliché to say that London is a series of villages, but in our case, we really do feel like a village shop – we know a lot of our customers by name, and we know their interests and we’re able to curate the shop to fit that! When we opened, we asked a lot of people – friends and family particularly – what 10 books they would most like to see in the shop, which is how we selected our original core stock.” 

2. Persephone Books

59 Lambs Conduit Street, London WC1N 3NB, 020-7242 9292

Capturing a feminist niche, this independent publisher and bookshop steers clear of market-driven book sales, and instead focuses on reprinting neglected fiction and non-fiction by mid-twentieth century women. This tiny cultural hub, named in homage to the daughter of Zeus, is a celebration of female accomplishment. With a warm and laidback atmosphere , the shop itself is decorated with feminist paintings, posters and vintage furniture, creating a cosy domestic setting for customers to sit and read, as well as recreating the limited spheres women occupied in the twentieth century. Persephone Books provides readers with an interactive experience. From the beautifully designed end papers to the monthly book club; this is an essential destination for all bibliophiles.

WhatKatieDidNext blogger, Katie Morritt: “It’s encouraging that Persephone Books reprint works by neglected female writers. While women make up 51% of the human population, they seem to be shockingly underrepresented on the shelves of chains like WHSmith and Waterstones.”  

3. The Society Club

12 Ingestre Place, London W1F 0JF, 020-7437 1433

Hidden away down a side alley on Ingestre Place, The Society Club feels like Soho’s little secret. During the day the unique bookshop, cafe, cocktail bar and gallery combination is open to the public, but by 6 o’ clock the place transforms into a private members’ club. With  poetry nights, storytelling and live music, it is a place where aspiring writers and artists collaborate over a cocktail – perfect for Londoners wanting to get involved in London’s literary scene.

Yelp reviewer, Lina O:d: “I was there for an event organised with Tatty Devine, a jewellery company popular with my young people at the moment. It was a jewellery making workshop that was free of charge and with the founders of the brand. Such a nice experience, nice people and a really great environment.”

4. Claire De Rouen

125 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0EW, 020-7287 1813 

Claire De Rouen, tucked away above a betting shop on Charing Cross Road and unnoticed by most passers-by, is the only specialist photography, fashion and art bookshop in London. To enter, customers have to walk up a narrow stairwell – the walls of which are plastered with contemporary art, and then turn right to find the secret entrance. Once inside you’ll find one of London’s most extensive collections of photo books, self-published books and rare collector editions, displayed beautifully on shelves overlooking the city.

Frequent customer, Mohammed Najah: “Claire De Rouen has the best collection of photography books. It’s relaxing just to have a look at the work of the greats like David Bailey, Anders Petersen and Guy Bourdin, with a record playing in the background.” 

5. Bookmarks

1 Bloomsbury St, London WC1B 3QE, 020-7637 1848

Specialising in left-wing literature, Bookmarks is London’s leading socialist bookshop and has been in business for over 40 years. The shelves are bursting with knowledge, stacked with an impressive selection of books covering subjects like politics, labour history, black struggle, women and culture, in the hope of providing young activists with information to inform their opinions. Dedicated to their cause, the bookshop provides stands in major demonstrations across country and has consequently created a young, politically active community through the power of the written word.

Yelp reviewer, Fiona G: “A wonderful shop for the sheer joy of the music & laughter that accompanies us when we march past this shop (and most demonstrations do, starting at London University) It’s got great books …and an interesting neighbour in the whisky shop next door!”

Edited by Sarah Huntington

The post Top 5 Independent Bookshops in London appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Museums are widely-known for their gothic architecture, hidden passages and creaky floorboards. With a sinister past and rooms filled with ancient tales, it is no surprise that the capital has embraced its historical heritage alongside the holiday spirit; this year numerous museums have joined the celebration and will provide Londoners with a diverse range of unique experiences. Here are our favourite ways to spend All Hallows’ Eve.

Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge

8 Rangers Road Chingford, London E4 7QH, 020-7332 1911

Event: Tudor and Pyjama Welly Party

Date: 27 October 2016

Time: 18:00 – 21:00

Price: £15

With a Tudor hunt set to take place in Epping Forest, London’s largest open space, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge has taken hunts to the extreme. The event includes three dark, top secret activities planned during the 1543 hunt and is accompanied with delicious Tudor snacks supplied mid-evening. If you are someone who usually prefers to stay in, the laid back event has an optional dress code of pyjamas and wellington boots, creating an atmospheric night.

Charles Dickens Museum

48 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX, 020-7405 2127

Event: Dickens After Dark: A Halloween Special

Date: 28 October 2016

Time: 18:30

Price: £15

For readers with an incurable obsession with literature, Charles Dickens Museum has created an immersive All Hallows’ Eve experience. From dimly lit rooms to strange sounds, spending the evening in Dickens’ townhouse involves a night of storytelling, mystery, and a Victorian candle lit bar open throughout the evening.

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising

111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London W11 1QT, 020-7243 9611

Event: Black Halloween Banquet

Date: 28 October 2016

Time: 19:30 – 22:30

Price: £59.99

In a perfect blend of horror and extravagant dining, The Museum of Brands and GrubClub have collaborated to celebrate Halloween with a seven course meal, with the spooky theme of “black” coloured food. Award-wining chef Adam Rawson has creatively named his menu items to include foods like burnt aubergine, black quinoa, and aged beef.

Natural History Museum

Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, 020-7942 5000

Event: Pop-up Planetarium: The Wonders of Space

Date: 28 October 2016

Time: 18:30 – 21:45

Price: £15, Members: £13.50

Perhaps you prefer something relaxing for Halloween? The Natural History Museum’s “Museum Lates” let you explore the historic museum after hours. You can have a little wander around, enjoy the food and drinks, or enjoy an exhibition. The Wonders of Space event is part of October’s “Lates” and involves stepping inside an inflatable planetarium to discover the origin and evolution of the universe.

Vestry House Museum

Vestry Road Walthamstow, London E17 9NH, 020-8496 4391

Event: Hitchcock’s Halloween

Date: 27-29 October 2016

Time: 18:00 – 21:00

Price: £2 suggested donation for adults, Children go free.

Inspired by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, Vestry House Museum invites you to help solve the murder of famous actress Charlotte Inwood, with the aid of music, delicious cocktails and cakes. For the full experience, you are encouraged to dress in fancy dress as you will be able to create your own film still in a photo-booth and immerse yourself in a fictitious world of mystery.

Edited by Ivy Joseph

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