The five-star Athenaeum Hotel & Residences has joined forces with London Transport Museum for this summer’s series of tours of the abandoned Down Street tube station just across from the hotel.
The Down Street tours, which are part of London Transport Museum’s Hidden London programme of tours will run from 4 August to 5 March 2017. Guestswill begin their adventure with light refreshments at the Athenaeum, in one of the hotel’s recently refurbished lobby lounge spaces overlooking Green Park. From the hotel they will embark on the tour through an unassuming, unmarked door on Down Street just across the road for a rare peek behind the scenes into London’s history.
Guests will be able to return to the hotel after the tour for refreshments as an optional addition to the package. Michelin-star London chefs, the Galvin brothers are launching their new restaurant and bar at the Athenaeum in June, and as such are creating a special afternoon tea for Hidden London tour guests. The hotel was awarded ‘Best Afternoon Tea in London 2012’ by the Tea Guild, and the Galvin pastry team ambitiously aims to build on and eclipse previous offerings. Visitors booking the additional package will also be treated to an exclusive 10% discount off the Best Available rate rooms, suites and residences at the hotel.
Taking inspiration from Down Street’s fascinating past as a base for the Railway Executive Committee during World War Two and a place of refuge for Sir Winston Churchill during the height of The Blitz, Chris and Jeff Galvin’s new bar has created the Hidden Winston cocktail. Featuring an eclectic blend of house Scotch, Mancino Vermouth Ross Amaranto, Jade Perique Liqueur de Tabac, a dash of Aromatic Bitters and served in a wooden box with a smoky finish, the Hidden Winston will give guests the chance to sample some theatre and mixology, a flavour of what’s to come for the new outlets at the Athenaeum.
A permanent fixture in historical Mayfair since 1840, as the original site of Hope House, the Athenaeum’s rooms and residences overlook Down Street Tube station. Other historical attractions on the doorstep include Buckingham Palace, the Burlington Arcade and Marble Arch.
Commenting on the partnership, Jeremy Hopkins, General Manager of The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences said: “We are delighted to announce the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences as the official partner of London Transport Museum’s Hidden London Down Street tour. Our apartments were built in 1890 so Down Street would have been the closest tube station for many visitors. We look forward to welcoming guests during an exciting time of change for us for an experience of London’s history as well as our own.”