Comments on: Buried street in London

Question: Buried street in London

cillit bang — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 14:54:02 -0800

There's a preserved street in the basement of one of the London department stores. Where is it?

I saw it on TV once. It's a preserved street that was once outdoors but somehow the store was built right on top of it. It's definitely London (I've found info on similar places elsewhere), and it's not open to the public. Any ideas?

By: macdara

macdara — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:02:27 -0800

Are you sure it's London? I saw a programme a few weeks ago (on Discovery maybe?) where Lisa Tarbuck visited a buried street behind a door in the back of a Waterstone's somewhere, but I don't think it was London. Then again, I wasn't paying much attention.

By: SpecialK

SpecialK — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:27:28 -0800

Were you talking about a street that was built over, or were you talking about a street that was built underground in the 50's as a retreat for parliament in the event of a nuclear attack and was put up for auction recently?

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:31:25 -0800

Was it Mary King Close, Edinburgh?

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:36:15 -0800

Definitely London, and one that was built over rather than built underground.

By: lhauser

lhauser — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:43:36 -0800

There are similar things in Seattle, in the Pioneer Square area. The ground was built up over the streets, but at one time the underground streets had storefronts and everything, even after being covered. There's even a tour available.

By: Leon

Leon — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:01:43 -0800

Could it be the Roman amphitheatre under Guildhall Yard? That's only been opened recently, I think. Or the cabinet war rooms?

Edinburgh sounds like the best fit, though...

By: Gator

Gator — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:16:33 -0800

Is it the John Lewis Building? This page mentions a "600-year-old undercroft" in the basement.

By: eleyna

eleyna — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:32:12 -0800

I know, this doesn't help you find the street in London, but there's a streetfront like this in Sacramento that's pretty cool.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:34:27 -0800

That John Lewis thing sounds about right. Pity there isn't more information. Thanks all.

By: Gator

Gator — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 16:38:04 -0800

Here are a couple more pages that suggest you're thinking of the John Lewis store in Kingston (the second one is a several-years-old article that mentions it was discovered in 1985).

Of course, when I finally looked up "undercroft," it's apparently more of a crypt than a street, so...I dunno.

By: Len

Len — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:07:42 -0800

During a Christmas slump-on-the-sofa booze-a-thon, I watched some "100 Greatest Christmas Moments" thing on Channel 4, which included Malcolm McLaren's The Ghosts Of Oxford Street. One of the clips showed a former Eastender running about in the basement of (i think) Selfridges, where he discovered a still-intact street that had been built over. Further Googling reveals this.

I just wish I could track down a copy of McLaren's film; I'd never seen or heard of it before it was mentioned on that programme, but it looks fantastic ...

By: handee

handee — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 03:26:31 -0800

No idea - but I have to comment just to mention Stephen Smith's excellent book underground london.

By: Gator

Gator — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 05:11:00 -0800

Wow, I really want to know the answer now. cillit bang, if you find the answer while store-spelunking, I hope you'll let us know.

I was so curious I emailed Selfridges last night. Sadly, their response was, "Unfortunately, I have been unable to find out if there is a street underneath the Oxford Street store. However, our archivists may be able to assist you, they can be contacted directly on 01508 548 623. I am sorry I am unable to assist you further."

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 06:57:07 -0800

Downtown Atlanta shifted everything to the second floor in the 1920's leaving an entire underground city. "Underground Atlanta" was abandoned for 40 years until the city began to redevelop the fantastic old storefronts as sort of a giant shopping mall.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 09:21:30 -0800

Not an underground street, but there's obviously a lot going on under Selfridges - the terminal for the Cabinet War Rooms' secret coded telephone system were also down there.