LOVE February - Free Time Friday : Enter the tunnel of love
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If you are looking for something unique to do this valentine's weekend and you are a lover of history look no further than this amazing fundraising event at the Brunel Museum in London.
For the first time in 140 years the Grand Entrance Hall to the Thames Tunnel will reopen and you are invited to step inside for a tale of romance. The tunnel was Isambard Kingdom Brunel's first project aged just 19 years old. It was was actually designed to move cargo, but the money ran out and they could not build the ramps to get the cargo down, so in 1843 it opened as a cargo tunnel that could not take cargo. There was no money from the shipping agents, so the Thames Tunnel Company opened the world’s first underwater shopping arcade!
Within less than four months half the population had visited the site now known as the 8th wonder of the world. Sixty arches lined the Tunnel, between the north and south carriageways, and in each archway they built a shop. In each archway they sold souvenirs. When visitor numbers dropped shops fell empty the Thames Tunnel Company organised the world first underwater fair. Amongst the performers were tightrope artists, sword swallowers, fire-eaters, Ethiopian serenader's, Indian dancers, and Chinese singers. A whole section of the Tunnel was decked out as a ballroom, where a steam powered musical organ played dance tunes. It was bawdy and colourful but it was the most romantic of settings. There were dinner parties and secret meetings in the chamber. Here Brunel romanced a famous actress. The Grand Entrance Hall, above the Tunnel of Love, was London’s favourite meeting place for couples.
It is in this space where the Brunel Museum is pleased to offer tale of an underground romance. The story of young Brunel and Fanny Kemble, the story of ‘The Actress and the Engineer’.
Tickets are just £5 and will raise money for a new museum.
No booking is necessary just turn up to the Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe, SE16 4LF.
12th & 13th February 14.00, 15.00, 16.00
14th February 17.00, 18.00, 19.00
For more information visit www.brunel-museum.org.uk or call 020 7231 3840
LOVE February Competition - Fourteen days of fabulous prizes!
Tell the team at Dormouse and The Teapot if you could live in any time period when would it be and why. Post your answer in the comments section by clicking on comments below, make sure you leave a contact email or twitter name otherwise if you win we won't be able to send you your prize!
Today's lucky winner will win a digital subscription to Vintage Life Magazine. If you have a passion for vintage, then don't be without your copy of Vintage Life Magazine - this super glam magazine is full of vintage style. From style and fashion, hair and beauty, house and home, to music and film, everything great about the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s through to the 70s - all in one great magazine. With a wide collection of experts sharing their knowledge and many featured articles each issue, VLM really puts you in touch with memories past and brings them alive all over again.
All winners will go in a draw on 14 February to win a fantastic vintage tea set for two from www.dormouseandtheteapot.com
Remember there will be fourteen days of competitions, you may enter the competitions as many times as you wish over the fortnight but you may only win one prize.
Sorry UK entrants only
Dormouse and The Teapot use a randomiser to select the winner.
This competition is now closed
Dormouse and The Teapot use a randomiser to select the winner.
This competition is now closed
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