Latest news with #WinstonChurchill
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Exploring London's Buried History: The Subterranean Tourist
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Wax work models are positioned in The Map Room in Cabinet War Rooms bunker, which has been preserved entirely unchanged since the second World War, on August 27, 2009 in London, England. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the day when the Cabinet War Rooms were used for the first time by Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet a week before the German invasion of Poland. (Photo by) Getty Images Beneath the world's great cities lies a hidden history, one of buried secrets, ancient passageways, and forgotten worlds. For adventurous travelers and history lovers alike, these underground spaces offer a rare chance to step back in time. The Subterranean Tourist Series is your guide to the hidden history that lies just below the surface of the world's iconic cities. Here's a look at London's buried past. Beneath the bustling streets of Westminster lie two of London's most powerful historical sites — the Churchill War Rooms and the Cabinet War Rooms. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet directed the British war effort during World War II from this secret underground complex. Preserved exactly as it was left in 1945, visitors can walk through the Cabinet Room, peer into Churchill's quarters, and explore the attached museum, which chronicles his life and leadership. It's a moving experience that brings wartime London vividly to life. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee lines). From the station, it's a short walk along Horse Guards Road. Ticket Information Hidden beneath the streets of Clerkenwell lies a marvel of underground engineering — the Mail Rail. Part of the Postal Museum, this unique miniature railway once transported millions of letters across London in complete secrecy. Now, visitors can ride through the original tunnels on a specially designed train and see audio-visual displays that tell the story of this subterranean delivery system. The museum showcases postal innovation, with hands-on exhibits for all ages. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Farringdon or Russell Square. Ticket Information Clink Prison Museum & Underground Vaults Underneath Southwark's cobbled streets, near London Bridge, the Clink Prison Museum offers a unique look into London's dark past. Built on the original site of the Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144, this underground museum recreates the grim conditions endured by inmates. Visitors can explore dimly lit corridors, view replicas of torture devices, and hear chilling tales of medieval justice. One of England's oldest prisons, it became a notorious symbol of cruelty, giving rise to the slang term "the clink." How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is London Bridge. Ticket Information The Vaults/Leake Street Arches Beneath Waterloo Station is a subterranean world of art and immersive creativity. The Vaults, an underground arts venue situated in former railway tunnels, is renowned for its experimental theatre productions, interactive performances, and neon-lit street art. With ever-changing exhibitions and events, the Vaults blur the line between performance art and history. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Waterloo. Ticket Information LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Queen Elizabeth II views stacks of gold in the vaults below the Bank of England with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on December 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland -) Getty Images Bank of England Museum/Gold Vault Tours Nestled beneath one of London's most important financial institutions are the Bank of England's rarely seen gold vaults. Although access is limited, occasional special tours allow visitors to glimpse the staggering quantity of bullion stored below ground. The museum, located above ground, explains the history of money and the role of the central bank, featuring interactive displays and historic artifacts. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Bank. Ticket Information London Transport Museum Depot The Acton Depot features exhibits on the history of the London Underground, including decommissioned Tube trains and subterranean service vehicles. It showcases the behind-the-scenes workings of the system that keeps London moving. The depot houses rare posters, architectural models, and artifacts from every stage of the network's development. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Acton Town. Ticket Information Euston Tunnels Beneath the modern bustle of Euston Station lies a ghostly network of unused tunnels, platforms, and passageways that once formed part of the early Underground. Now only accessible via special Hidden London tours, these forgotten spaces feature original signage, tiling, and eerie echoes of commuter life long since vanished. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Euston. Ticket Information Old Aldwych Tube Station Once a branch line station off the Piccadilly Line, Aldwych Station was closed in 1994 but still feels alive thanks to film shoots and special tours. The station served as a World War II bomb shelter and has been preserved in near-original condition. Period posters still adorn the walls, and rusting signage leads to tunnels that haven't seen commuters in decades. The station is a hidden cinematic icon, featured in films such as "V for Vendetta" and "Atonement." How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Temple or Holborn. Ticket Information London, England, United Kingdom - September 05, 2023 : Ancient stone staircase leading to the catacombs located under the colonnades of Brompton Cemetery. Sunlight. Natural colors. Architect : Benjamin Baud (1806 - 1875). Brompton Cemetery was established in 1840 and is located in West London. Abandoned since 1966, the cemetery is part of the "Magnificent Seven", a set of 7 former London cemeteries. It is owned by Royal Parks. getty Chislehurst Caves Beneath the quiet suburb of Chislehurst lies a sprawling maze of 22 miles of man-made tunnels known as the Chislehurst Caves. Dug initially for chalk and flint, the caves were later used for a variety of purposes, including a World War II air-raid shelter that housed thousands of Londoners. They've also served as a concert venue for The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. How to Get There: Nearest rail station is Chislehurst (Southeastern Railway). Ticket Information Brompton Cemetery Catacombs Hidden beneath one of London's most atmospheric Victorian cemeteries lie the Brompton Catacombs — a shadowy underworld of vaulted chambers and crypts. Initially built in the 19th century to meet the growing demand for burials, these catacombs were designed to resemble ancient Roman catacombs. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is West Brompton. Ticket Information Greenwich Foot Tunnel Built in 1902, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel allows pedestrians to walk under the River Thames from Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs. A marvel of early 20th-century engineering, the tunnel has remained open to the public since its completion. How to Get There: Access the tunnel near Cutty Sark DLR or Island Gardens DLR. Ticket Info London tower at Thames River water front getty Tower of London Contrary to urban legend there is no network of underground tunnels at the Tower of London. There are however a variety of subterranean spaces, not all of which are open to the public. Visiting them, you're surrounded by centuries of royal secrets, scandals, treasonous plots, and the fearsome power of England's monarchy. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Tower Hill. Ticket Information Imperial War Museum/Underground Air-Raid Exhibit Located within the larger Imperial War Museum, the reproduction of an underground air-raid shelter exhibit offers visitors a chilling sense of what life was like during the London Blitz. Reconstructed bunkers and immersive audio recreate the fear and resilience of civilians who took refuge below ground. How to Get There: Nearest Tube station is Lambeth North. Ticket Information St Bride's Crypt The crypt beneath the historic St Bride's Church on Fleet Street contains Roman pavements, medieval foundations, and even plague burial sites. It offers guided access to centuries of hidden London history. Visitors walk among ancient walls and tombs, uncovering stories that span from Roman London to World War II. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Blackfriars or St Paul's. Ticket Information Thames Tunnel/Brunel Museum The Thames Tunnel was the world's first passage built through soft ground beneath a navigable river. Designed by Marc Brunel and completed in 1843, it paved the way for modern tunneling techniques. Visitors can descend into the Grand Entrance Hall, which was once used for underground fairs and markets. The nearby museum explains its significance in London's growth, while the tunnel itself showcases the ingenuity of Victorian engineering. How to Get There: Nearest Tube stations are Rotherhithe or Canada Water. Ticket Information These hidden gems reveal just a fraction of the history buried beneath London's streets. Mysterious, fascinating, and often overlooked, they offer an unforgettable entry point into the city's underground past. For any subterranean tourist ready to explore the layers beneath the surface, this is where the adventure begins. More From Forbes Forbes The Cheese Lover's Perfect Weekend: Three Days In London By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Whisky Lover's Perfect Weekend: Three Days In London By Joseph V Micallef Forbes 20 Places To Experience High Tea In London By Joseph V Micallef
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Your front-row pass to who the performers will be watching at Glastonbury
Hello from Worthy Farm, home to Glastonbury festival! As is tradition, this newsletter is coming to you from a sparsely apportioned cabin behind the festival's legendary Pyramid stage, which this weekend will feature headline sets from The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo. The festival proper is kicking off right about now, though really it has been whirring away for two days already. The official opening was on Wednesday night: a circus spectacular on the Pyramid stage featuring jugglers, drummers, fire-flinging dancers and a bloke doing handstands on a fairy-light-strewn bike suspended above the audience. The extravaganza came courtesy of the talented folk from Glastonbury's theatre and circus fields, who were tasked with opening the festival for the first time since the early 90s. (Incidentally, the Theatre and Circus Fields have a pretty remarkable origin story: in 1971 Winston Churchill's granddaughter Arabella was being relentlessly hounded by the paparazzi in London, having created a bit of a stink by daring to speak out against the Vietnam war. She legged it to Somerset, and there helped one of her father Randolph's former employees, Andrew Kerr, and some farmer named Michael Eavis, launch a certain summer festival. Churchill would devise the Theatre and Circus fields a decade later and handled their running until her death in 2007. You'd imagine she would have been thrilled to see her charges back doing their daredevil stuff on the Pyramid.) The theatre and circus folk will be doing their thing all weekend, part of the more than 3,000-strong army of performers at this year's festival. As ever the Guardian is your one-stop shop for coverage of the biggest and best of those performances. All manner of goodies have already been published: an interview with the band Keir Starmer wants banned from the festival, Kneecap; music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas's tips for the best acts to see this year; Glasto returnees, including Billy Bragg and Kate Nash, recalling their festival debuts; and, most importantly of all for those of you at home, an exhaustive viewing guide. Then, all weekend we'll have news, reviews, galleries, features and of course the big Glastonbury liveblog, which runs from lunchtime to after midnight today, tomorrow and Sunday. That will be topped off on Monday by a special Glastonbury edition of the Guardian's G2 newspaper supplement, with a full exhaustive review of the festival. Drink it all in because next year Glastonbury takes a year off, to allow the farm to recover from hundreds of thousands of people stomping all over it. I'm dreading it already, but let's worry about that later and make the most of this year first. To help maximise your enjoyment of the festival, whether on site or at home, we've asked some of this year's performers to share the one act they're most excited to see this year … Tom Odell | Eternally boyish indie pop singer songwriter 'I'm such a huge fan of CMAT – Ciara is an incredible artist and such a fun person to be around. She supported me last year in Amsterdam at the Ziggo Dome, and we all ended up getting incredibly drunk in the backstage bar afterwards. I'm so happy to see her absolutely smashing it right now, and I can't wait to watch her perform on the Pyramid Stage!' Tom Odell plays Woodsies 9pm, Saturday Lambrini Girls | Sardonic, sweary Brighton punk trio 'I'm really looking forward to see Turnstile take the Other Stage [4:30 PM Sunday]. They're undeniably one of the most hyped bands right now, and it's for good reason. Their live shows are beautifully orchestrated chaos. I really respect their willingness to evolve. They've pushed the boundaries of hardcore, embracing pop and indie influences without losing their edge. It's ruffled some feathers because a lot of hardcore fans want to gatekeep hardcore – and that is what I love most about it. Punk was never meant to be exclusive, Turnstile are making it accessible for everyone!'Lambrini Girls play Left Field, 7.50pm Saturday Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion Billie Marten | Soulful jazz folk, straight from Yorkshire 'There are oodles of treats to watch this weekend; Four Tet, Father John Misty, Amyl and the Sniffers, Nilüfer Yanya, Jalen Ngonda … but it's all about Beth Gibbons for me. What a hero! I grew up listening to her aching vocals on the Portishead records, and then her solo work. Mysteries is a masterpiece in writing, structure and production. Having never seen her live, only through the shiny barrier of YouTube and TV, I am totally ready for one hell of an arresting performance. Long reign Beth!' Billie plays the Acoustic Stage, 5pm today. Ros Atkins | BBC analysis editor and rave master 'My head's spinning from the array of DJs I'd like to see. But one time I won't be listening to them is 3.15 on Saturday afternoon. Instead, I'll be at the Greenpeace stage. Last year, I was a guest on Huw Stephens' Roundtable on BBC 6 Music and one of the songs we reviewed was Antarctica by Divorce. It stopped me in my tracks and I've been a fan ever since. There's a brilliant creativity and range to their songwriting and sound; I also find their tracks really affecting – in a good way! I've not seen Divorce live and plan to put that right. Emotions may run high.'Ros played the Stonebridge bar on Thursday. You can listen to The Festival is Here, his Glastonbury-themed collaboration with Crissy Criss, here If you want to read the complete version of this newsletter please subscribe to receive The Guide in your inbox every Friday
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
75 Years: The American Legacy of the Korean War
In Fulton, Missouri, the great British statesman Winston Churchill stood before a large American audience inside Westminster College. It was March 5, 1946, and it had been less than a year since the end of World War II. The German Nazis and the Imperial Japanese had been defeated. But Churchill arrived in the United States with a dire Churchill was referencing the Soviet Union—the former ally yet familiar foe. Europe was in rubble. Germany was divided in four parts among the Americans, British, French, and Soviets. Before the end of the war, and before that iron curtain had officially cordoned off eastern Europe, another curtain was drawn, but this one was drawn by the Americans. To the Victor Go the Spoils On the night of Aug. 10, 1945—a day after the Nagasaki bombing and five days before Japan surrendered—officers of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee made the hasty decision to split Korea along the 38th Parallel. The north would be occupied by the Soviets and the south by the Americans. The Red Army had been storming through Manchuria on their way to the peninsula. To the relief of the Americans, the Soviets agreed to the arrangement. Offering a preemptive arrangement now was far better than attempting to force the Russians out later.
STV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Charity unveils plans to honour 'birthplace' of Europe's commandos
One of Scotland's most iconic attractions could soon have a radical makeover. A vision has been unveiled for an underground visitor centre beneath the Commando Monument that overlooks Ben Nevis. Those behind the project hope to make it a reality in time for remaining WWII veterans to see it. On Saturday, a ceremony launched a charity and potentially a new era for the Commando forces that Winston Churchill established 85 years ago. The International Commando Heritage Trust hopes to transform the iconic site which has drawn visitors from around the world since its unveiling in the 1950s. The vision promises to be sensitively built in the hillside beneath the existing monument at Spean Bridge. Colonel (Retired) Barry Barnwell of the Commando Association said: 'It cannot be seen from the road. The only glass faces out towards the Nevis Range and the fields, and it would be just below the eyeline in every respect. 'The architects and designers that have been helping us consider this concept and have given us some figures to work with, of course. And we're now currently looking at a three-phase build for £7.5m.' He added: 'We lost two (WWII veteran colleagues) last week. We are undoubtedly going to lose most of the rest, if not all of them, within the next five years. 'If we can open this facility with one or two of them present to see that we are taking their legacy forward, if we can achieve that within five years I think we will have done a great job for our veterans of that era.' Brigadier Andy Muddiman, Naval Regional Commander, said: 'It would allow the facility to take on a lot more visitors and do so in more comfort and provide a bit more information other than that the iconic, fantastic memorial built by Scott Sutherland in the 50s, which in and of itself and the landscape that it stands in, is an amazing spectacle.' Fundraising has begun for the dramatic new stage that will showcase priceless Commando memorabilia which was previously displayed at a nearby hotel. Folk star Isla St Clair, a VIP guest at the ceremony, sang 'Lament for the Commandos' written by her mother Zetta, who had two brothers killed in action – one a Commando. A new International Commando Heritage Trust tri-services tartan was also unveiled at the weekend event. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump's choice: Bomb over blather
Winston Churchill could muse about the virtues of diplomacy, reportedly saying 'Jaw, Jaw and War, War' or words to that effect. In the case of President Trump, the decision has been made: war, not jaw, and bomb, not mere blather. The stated reason for the attack on three Iranian nuclear sites was Iran's imminent ability to assemble a nuclear weapon. That danger could not be tolerated. And Israel's evisceration of much of Iran's military leadership and its air defenses created a further opportunity for the U.S. to strike. Regardless of the accuracy of the intelligence, the administration assumed that 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 14 'bunker busters' bombs would impose such 'shock and awe' as to force Iran to capitulate. But no matter how well this strike was planned and executed, this relatively small use of force may prove insufficient for Iran to accept the terms of what amounts to a virtual surrender. And while bomb damage assessment will take time, suppose Iran anticipated a strike and moved its fissile material to a safe location. Of course, the Trump administration could be proven correct in its assumptions. Yet, history could be relevant. Preemptive attacks and invasions too often fail. Napoleon and Hitler thought Russia could be brought to its knees and conquered by invading armies. Japan believed that the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and sinking the battleship fleet would cause the U.S. to negotiate. The reasons for the second Iraq War, fraudulently based on weapons of mass destruction that no longer existed, cannot be ignored. Undeclared or not, the U.S. is now at war with Iran's clerical theocracy. Beyond fog and friction, war is filled with the most deadly of ironies. While, by any measure Israel has exercised an excess of violence against Palestinians in its efforts to destroy Hamas, including the destruction of several hospitals deemed as safe havens for the enemy, after Iran struck an Israeli hospital complex, strong retaliation followed. Gaza does not seem to be an issue as Israel has broadened its offensive against Iran beyond nuclear and missile facilities. A similar irony confronts Trump's decision to enter the war on Israel's side. Having promised not to engage in forever wars, Trump could be consigning America to that fate. While the Fordow complex was the prime target for America's attack, destroying those facilities, even with 30,000-pound 'bunker busters,' cannot be assumed, and without direct physical access, the extent of damage can never be proven. What Iran does next ranges from accepting American demands to launching major strikes against both U.S. forces and Arab oil-producing facilities in the Gulf. Closing the Strait of Hormuz could lead to an economic disaster and bring U.S. forces in harm's way, should opening the strait be ordered. The strait is about 35 miles wide, bringing the U.S. Navy close to Iran's large supply of short-range missiles. More likely will be measured attacks, including cyber. And do not be surprised if Iran suspends the Non-Proliferation Treaty to which it is a signatory, signaling it may build nuclear weapons after all. Despite the euphoria accompanying the attack, what could prove worrying is the advice Trump was given, assuming he listens. First, his administration has not been in office long enough for his national security team to come together. Second, while Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio has served in the Senate, his wartime credentials are slim. And who would trust the secretary of Defense in these circumstances, although the news initially reported he was bypassed? The new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine, has no experience or background in dealing with strategic events, only those at the tactical and operational levels. Vietnam may be relevant. If in August 1964 Lyndon Johnson had not pushed for the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which was a de facto declaration of war in Vietnam and allowed the retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnamese targets to be sufficient warning, the catastrophe that followed would have been averted. Trump could proclaim victory and leave the scene of battle to the Israelis to finish the job —whatever that means. Has anyone reminded the president of that example? What next? No one can predict. But in these circumstances, be warned. This could be the beginning and not the end of the campaign to deprive Iran of its nuclear aspirations. Harlan Ullman, Ph.D., (@harlankullman) is UPI's Arnaud deBorchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a senior advisor at Washington, D.C.'s Atlantic Council, the chairman of two private companies and the principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. He and David Richards are authors of a forthcoming book on preventing strategic catastrophe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
