Watch London Architecture Timelapse (Hyperlapse) By Mattia Bicchi

Big cities in general and London in particular seem to lend themselves to timelapse videos. If you’ve read this blog for any period of time you’ll know I’m a huge fan of timelapse films and one of my favourite film makers is Mattia Bicchi. He’s done some amazing videos over the last year or so, including the London Architecture Time Lapse above.

This is another wonderful video that features many of his tracking timelapse shots and many architecturally interesting locations in London, that while well known, aren’t famous. The full list of locations include:

  • Canary Wharf
  • Tower of London
  • Tower Bridge
  • Strata Tower
  • King’s Cross Station
  • Palestra Building
  • Royal Albert Hall (amazing tracking shot)
  • British Museum
  • RBS Building
  • Broadgate Tower
  • Wembley Stadium (amazing tracking shot)
  • Heron Tower
  • O2 Arena (amazing tracking shot)
  • St. Giles Building
  • The Shard
  • National Maritime Museum (amazing tracking shot)
  • Wellington Arch (great zooming shot)
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral (amazing tracking shot)
  • Houses of Parliament (great zooming shot)

Not sure how he’s able to find so many blue sky days in London. Among his best yet, so give it a watch.

You can follow Mattia’s work on his website, Facebook, and Twitter.

London Underground Tube Map Showing All Ghost Stations & Unbuilt Lines

The Map of the Underground that was and could have been
Click on map for full resolution version

I’m a huge fan of alternative Tube maps. And the one above may just be the most ambitious I’ve ever seen. Using TFL’s current London Underground map design, F. Dans has added in most ghost stations, unbuilt lines and disused extensions.

There are many interesting features, such as the District line out to Windsor (which did exist for a short time), the readdition of Aldwych and other Ghost stations and the addiiton of the proposed (but never fully built) Northern Heights extension.

However the one thing that really stands out to me, is that even with the addition of many proposed lines, few would serve South London. It remains a Tube wasteland, although one that is very well connected by rail (not seen on the map).

I first heard about the project from this thread on reddit where he’s seeking to add even more to the map. You can find out more about the project from his website and Flickr page.

Steam Train Along The Original Underground Route – Tube 150

Steam Train at Baker StreetSteam Train at Baker Street Station from reddit user garethashenden

See what the tube would have looked like 150 years by watching a steam train (Met Locomotive No 1) pass through each of the Underground’s original stations.

If you read this blog, you are no doubt aware that on January 13, 2013 steam returned to the Underground for the first time in almost 50 years as part of London Underground’s 150th Anniversary.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a ticket for the ride itself and didn’t really feel like making the trek down to one of the stations.

However, London being London and the Tube being the Tube, it seems there was little need for me to go. Below I’ve collected some Youtube videos of the steam train passing through the Underground’s original stations.

The journeys last weekend actually started at Kensington Olympia and ended at Moorgate, but since this is the 150th anniversary of the opening of the original section of the Underground I thought I’d focus on that. Enjoy:

Paddington:

Continue reading Steam Train Along The Original Underground Route – Tube 150

150 Posts About The Tube At 150 – The London Underground Anniversary

Google Doodle of the Tube's 150 anniversary
Even Google’s getting in on the 150th anniversary.

While the official grand opening of The Metropolitan Railway (the first bit of what would become the London Underground) occurred on January 9th, 1863 – it did not accept it’s first fare paying customers until the 10th. Given that it’s a means of mass transportation for the masses and the fact that our political elite wouldn’t be caught dead using it on a regular basis – many (myself included) think the official 150th anniversary of the Tube should be today, not yesterday.

In any case if you celebrated it yesterday, today or more likely don’t really care one way or the other you will no doubt have seen a huge amount written about it. Now given that I’m walking the tube network in support of Bowel Cancer UK, you might reasonably assume I’d have some sort of post ready for the momentous occasion. Alas, a move to a new flat and sporadic internet have meant that writing anything interesting has been difficult.

More importantly there is nothing really left to say. Below I’ve collected 150 websites/articles/books/etc. about the 150th anniversary of the Tube. They should provide you all the information you could possibly want about the London Underground.

Official

1. London Underground’s 150th anniversary (TFL)
2. Transformation of the Tube network continues apace during historic 150th year (official press release)
3. TFL Facebook Timeline
4. 150th Anniversary of the London Underground (London Transport Museum)

From London Bloggers

5. Happy Birthday, London Underground (A View From The Mirror)
6. Happy 150th Birthday to The Tube (Shit London)
7. Mind the Maps: Celebrating 150 Years of the Tube (Mapping London)
8. Rather English – Celebrate 150 years of the Tube (Tired of London, Tired of Life)
9. Underground sesquicentennial! (Caroline’s Miscellany)
10. Underground on film (Caroline’s Miscellany)
11. TimeOut Tube Infographic (Annie Mole)
12. LU150: London Underground Past, Present & Future (Annie Mole)
13. 150 years of the London Underground (The Great Wen)
14. London Underground at 150: its past and future (Dave Hill)
15. Photos and Videos: Eye Candy Celebrating the London’s Underground’s 150 Anniversary
16. See how the Tube was built 150 years ago
17. LU150: A Birthday Steam Test (London Reconnections)
18. LU150: Steam On the Underground Timetable and Prices
19. Google celebrates the London Underground with a Doodle (IanVisits)
20. Best places to photograph London Underground’s heritage steam train trips (IanVisits)
21. Diverting the Fleet River for the London Underground (IanVisits)
22. 150 – 150th anniversary celebrations (Diamond Geezer)
23. Happy 150th Birthday London Underground: 30 reasons we love the tube (TimeOut)
24. @tube_boob’s ode to the Underground (TimeOut)
25. And don’t forget the humble tube map’s 80th birthday… (TimeOut)

Continue reading 150 Posts About The Tube At 150 – The London Underground Anniversary

What A Difference 5 Years Makes – City of London 2007 vs 2012

City of London 2007 vs 2012

While the Shard might be the most dramatic recent change to London’s skyline, it is by no means the only one. Comparing these two photos taken from St. Paul’s shows just how much the skyline in the City of London has changed in just 5 years.

The buildings under construction are the Leadenhall Building and 20 Fenchurch (aka the Walkie-Talkie). Completed new buildings include the Walbrook Building and Broadgate Tower.

You can see each photo below:

2007:

View of City from top of St Paul's Cathedral, London

2012:

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Found via reddit.

All Souls Church, Langham Place

All Souls Church

All Souls Church, Langham Place is one of London’s more iconic churches. Completed in December 1823 and designed by John Nash, it’s rather unique design did not meet with universal approval when it opened. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction said it was “… one of the most miserable structures in the metropolis…”

However, it would be difficult to imagine this part of London without it today. It can be found just in front of BBC Broadcasting House.

To learn more about the church visit their website.

This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.