Going Underground Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tower Hill

Once we purchase our Tube passes for a Zone 1 destination, we then can get on the tube at Victoria's Underground. We have two options for purchasing tickets...we can purchase them above ground in the station itself, or underground at a ticket agent. Since we have to catch the tube anyway to get to the Tower of London, it is best if we purchase our passes underground (saves on walking). A strong word of caution for all non-Brits...the steps are numerous!

At Victoria Underground you have to go down approximately 12 steps to a landing and then down another flight of approximately 8 steps. Once past those 8 steps you will see the queue in which we have to stand to purchase our passes.

After we purchase our passes, we have to slide our tickets in the turnkey slot, date facing upwards, and then we have to decide if we want to take District or Circle line. I think we will take the District Line. So follow me as we head for the Tube itself. We have to follow a long walkway to my favorite thing, an escalator. In my opinion there are not enough of them at the Tube stations.

Once we are on the escalator, we all have to stand on the right hand side (signs are posted regarding this). However, you will get the occasional few that rush past, practically running down the escalator steps! Have no idea why, as the Tube runs so frequently and quickly, a car goes by every 2 to 3 minutes!

Once we arrive at the Tower Hill destination, we have to follow the "way out" signs (exit signs). Depending on which car we are in depends on how close to the "way out" sign(s) we are, and they are situated differently at every station.

Answer: St James's Park

Ah, it looks as if we are heading to the lovely and charming area of St James's Park.

Okay, now back to our tour...once we arrive at St James's Park, or any station for that matter, you have to walk up a series of steps. Yes, that is the one thing I have noticed...far too many steps. We again follow the Way Out signs and make our way up towards the surface. Believe me it is like a maze underground! Some Tube stops are much more busier than others, and especially during a working week, everyone is more or less packed together in the Tube cars.

Once we reach the first level heading towards the streets, we have to slide our tickets through the turnkey again. We have to purchase another ticket when we leave the Tower Hill station. Please remind me next time to purchase an "all day ticket". Note: the Tube, depending on which zone you need, is the same price for places/sites to see in that specific zone. So, if you plan on being on the tube a great deal, it is more than worth it to purchase an all day ticket, if not, then you will be spending pounds like crazy every time you take the Tube. It is best to start out on the Tube and get off at your farthest destination, see what you would like to see, then take a leisurely stroll around the area and make your way to the next Tube station...heading back towards where you are staying.

Once we come out of the station, our best bet and fastest way to get to Buckingham Palace is to walk straight up Buckingham Palace Road. It is a long and winding street, that curves, heading around towards the Palace. The walk itself is lovely, plenty of shops. However, it seems as if you are walking uphill, which of course we are.

Okay, everyone get your cameras ready, we are entering the outer area of Buckingham Palace...start your cameras please.

Answer: Piccadilly Line

Ah, hopefully you have clicked on Piccadilly Line. One just cannot hop on the Piccadilly without first transferring to it. Since we are staying in the Victoria area, we have to get off the tube at Green Park. Once we arrive at Green Park, rather than following the Way Out signs, we follow the signs that read Piccadilly Line.

Again, we troop up the steps of the Tube to the Piccadilly Line, turns and curves everywhere! Ah, just in luck as the Tube is coming...off to our next stop.

Answer: Victoria Line to Green Park to Piccadilly Line to Hyde Park Corner

I think everyone will enjoy Hyde Park. Did you know that King Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park in 1536 from Westminster Monks? Hyde Park remained private until King James I took control of the throne and granted limited access. King Charles I is responsible for opening the park to the general public in 1637.

Once we take the Victoria Line (well, we were closest to that station and line after visiting Buckingham Palace), we have to choose between District or Circle Lines...in this case either one will do. So, we'll take the Circle Line and get off at Green Park.

At Green Park, we have to follow the signs that read "Piccadilly Line", up a series of steps, and through a pattern of curves and turns and up another level of steps until we arrive at the Piccadilly line...ah, here comes the Tube now...

Okay, everyone try to find a seat...oh, I know it is impossible or nearly so to find a seat, so everyone just hang on. Just one stop to go and we get off at Hyde Park Corner.

Are we ready to conquer the steps again...yes I know I have a thing with the multitude of steps, but believe me, no amount of walking anywhere can prepare one for the up and down of the Underground steps...there are far too many!

Okay, up one more small set and then onto the surface...Everyone take a look at how beautiful Hyde Park is! So picturesque and serene, yet tons to do!

Answer: Arsenal

The Arsenal Station on the Piccadilly Line is named for the football club of the same name. The area of Arsenal has many pubs (nothing new about that), clubs and cinemas. Everything is within a 5 to 10 minute walk...not bad, eh? The Arsenal Tube station as well as the team were named for the Woolwich Arsenal where they stored munitions.

Have to admit that my favorite two clubs are Arsenal and Manchester United. Since 1894 October to 2004 August, there have been 192 games played between Arsenal and Manchester United. With Manchester United winning 77, Arsenal winning 74. However, 41 of those games were draws.

Would any one of our group like to see a game amongst these two clubs? I know I would!

Answer: Baker Street

The nearest Tube stop to the Sherlock Holmes Museum is Baker Street. Believe me, even if you have never been to Baker Street and are not sure if you are at the right stop or not, once you follow the way out signs, you will see tiles that are coloured in red and blue and are in Holmes's likeness.

The museum itself is fascinating and it is like you are stepping back in time! There is an officer to greet you, dressed for the period. The Holmes Museum is very camera friendly, and the gentleman they have portraying Doctor Watson is a real charmer, and a very lively character. One can also put on Holmes's cap and hold the pipe to have their photo taken with Doctor Watson!

I see someone in the group has noticed the memorabilia shop across the way...and there is also a restaurant style bar simply titled Bar Linda for anyone that would like a drink or something to eat. Oh wait...look! There is also a Sherlock Holmes Sandwich Shoppe across the street too! Shall we all give it a go?

Answer: Westminster

Ah, here we are at the Westminster stop, this is the closest stop to the Houses of Parliament. Is everyone ready to follow the Way Out signs and troop up the steps.

The Houses of Parliament are officially known as the New Palace of Westminster. Edward the Confessor originally inhabited the New Palace.

Did you know that William IV wanted Parliament to move into Buckingham Palace after a fire destroyed The Houses of Parliament in 1834? However, the offer was declined.

Sir Charles Barry designed the new Palace of Westminster and construction began in 1840. Queen Victoria officially opened the House of Lords in 1852; even though it was finished in 1847, and the House of Commons (which was destroyed in the Blitz during World War II), which included the Churchill Arch, and was not restored until 1950!

Answer: Northern

The phrase "Mind the Gap" originated on the Northern Line mainly due in part because the spaces (gaps) between the Tube cars and platform were/are extremely large. The term has become synonymous with London.

The largest gaps that visitors and Londoners need to be cautious of are at Bank Station on the Central Line, and at Waterloo Station on the Bakerloo Line.

An urban legend concerning the "gaps" is: "Once you are on a train platform, beware! Approaching trains sometimes disturb the large Gappe bats that roost in the tunnels. The Gappes were smuggled into London in the early 19th Century by French saboteurs and have proved impossible to exterminate. The announcement 'Mind the Gappe!' is a signal that you should grab your hair and look towards the ceiling. Very few people have ever been killed by Gappes, though, and they are considered only a minor drawback to an otherwise excellent means of transportation."

The direct quote can be found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A676956

Answer: Yes

Once we get off the Tube at Westminster, we have two choices for walking to the National Gallery, which are:

Walk along the Victoria Embankment alongside the Thames. Cross over when you see Northumberland Avenue to your left. Follow it and you come out seeing Trafalgar Square. Conversely, walk up Parliament, along Whitehall and you will see Nelson's Column straight ahead.

Of course with the scenic route you can cross earlier, go along Horse Guards Avenue, then right at Whitehall and then see Nelson's Column ahead.

Answer: 1

Okay, this one is a bit tricky, ready here goes. We have to meet the Ripper Walking group at a zone 1 Tube Stop, Tower Hill, yes I know we were there earlier today visiting the Tower of London, but we had to go back that way to meet the Ripper Walking group at 19:30 hours.

Okay, same directions apply as they did to the Tower Hill stop this morning, everyone on the ball with that? All right then off we go to the Tower Hill stop. Once we trudge up through the walk way and follow the way out signs, we are back on the surface...God aren't there too many steps?

A guide for the Ripper Walk meets everyone at the Tower Hill Tube stop and then we all start the walk into Whitechapel (located in Zone 2), which in actuality is not all that far outside of zone 1, but as the group continues to walk we get further into Whitechapel itself, we see Mitre Square with an explanation of who was murdered there, and then off to Petticoat Lane...and across, as our guide is about to sing us a song about Petticoat Lane, we see the landlord/owner of the pub across the way booting someone out the establishment for fighting...and wonder of wonders it is a woman that he is tossing out!

We cannot see the place where Mary Kelly was murdered in Miller's Court, as people live there now, and they do not wish to be bothered or annoyed by a touring group glorifying Jack the Ripper.

Ah, we are coming to the end of our tour of where the Ripper did his dirty work...but now we need to concern ourselves with getting back to Victoria. Does anyone know the way? Ah, I see someone with their hand up. Yes, Sean which way do you think we should be going?

Sean: "We go to Liverpool Street station, which is in Zone 1, and catch the Circle Line around to Victoria."

Rest of the Group (including me): "Yes, that is correct. Very good Sean...great job!"

Thanks for taking my quiz on some of the sights available around London and for following me around on the Underground. Hope you enjoyed it.

A side note I would like to mention is that the tour guide I had for my Ripper Walk was named Sean. He was a very personable and lively man, and it was apparent from his voice and actions that he loves to be in the spotlight. He made the Ripper Walk fascinating just by his acting abilities.

Thanks for playing and hopefully, I'll catch you on the Tube sometime!