The theme for my A-Z posts this year is London Underground Stations. I've chosen a station for each letter and at the end of each post I've listed the other stations for that letter with their Wikipedia entries. I've tried to visit each station and take my own photos.
Photos courtesy of the web today - just didn't get the time to get down there!
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| Image courtesy of Wikipedia |
Of the “U” stations Upton Park is the closest to home. It was opened in 1877 as part of the London,
Tilbury and Southend Railway a mainline service. Underground District line services began in
1902 and in 1936 Metropolitan Line trains began stopping at the station.
The mainline services stopped in 1936 and this section of
the Metropolitan is now the Hammersmith and City Line. It is similar to the station at East Ham
which opened around the same time.
Upton Park is also the nearest station to West Ham United’s
current home stadium, the Boleyn Ground.
The ground was rented from Green Street House which was known locally as
Boleyn Castle due to its association with Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII. (It’s believed that she either stayed there
or owned the house at some point.)
West Ham are our local team and many of our family members,
including hubby and my eldest son are supporters. I grew up with family members who worked at
the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club so although I’m not really a supporter I
still consider Tottenham my team. Throw into
the mix our youngest son who supports Liverpool and things can get a bit
fraught at crucial times of the football season!
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| Image courtesy of Wikipedia |
This is the last season that West Ham will play at the
Boleyn ground. When the new season
starts later this year they will be based at the Olympic Stadium in
Stratford. Their current ground will be
redeveloped for housing, leisure and retail outlets.
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| Market Stalls in Green Street - image courtesy of the BBC |
Next to the station is Queen’s Road Market. When this street market began in the Victoria
era the stalls were on the main road running past the station, Green Street. Its traders were mainly Jewish and from
Whitechapel and the surrounding area. With the
increase in traffic and the introduction of trams the stalls were moved into
Queen’s Road in 1904.
Over time the site
has been modernised and is now covered.
It is also much more diverse due to the ethnic changes in the area. Green Street itself has come to reflect the
large Asian community in the area. If
you want Asian food, clothing or jewellery this is the place to go.
Photos courtesy of the web today - just didn't get the time to get down there!
Other “U” stations are:
Next stop V is for ...? Come back tomorrow to see. Thanks for visiting.
Not an area I am familiar with yet. The market sounds interesting with its Asian influences. We are so lucky in London to have a wide and diverse cultural mix that we could probably find something from any country in the world if we searched long enough. Look forward to seeing where you are in your next post.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting information about the area around Upton Park. It's an area I'm unfamiliar with. Funny that you say you nominally support Tottenham... me too, although I don't even really like football! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames from
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Another interesting post, Wendy! You really chose a great subject for your A-Z!!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post!! You have educated me beyond my boring old self.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful theme for the A to Z Challenge. Thank you for stopping by my blog - it allowed me to find and enjoy your work! I am excited to catch up with - and to read your future - posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the lovely comments :)
ReplyDelete