When we were in London, we visited the British Postal Museum, which turned out to be one of the most unique experiences of our trip. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure how interesting a postal museum could be, but the highlight was the Mail Rail—a small underground train that once transported mail beneath the busy streets of London. We had booked our timed tickets online in advance, which was smart because the train’s capacity was pretty small, maybe around 20 people per ride. We got the first slot of the day, and it worked out perfectly since it seemed like the rides could get backed up later on.
The train ride itself was a fascinating journey into history. It was a tight fit—so tight, in fact, that Shonda and I were crammed in like sardines, and we’re not big people. Despite the snug space and the warm temperature, it was such a cool experience. The ride lasted about 15 minutes, and during that time, we learned about how this underground system revolutionized mail delivery. Built in 1927, the Mail Rail made it possible to move mail across the city in just 30 minutes, something that used to take hours by road. It was incredible to think about how this system was dug by hand so long ago and how much of it is still intact.
After the train ride, we explored the museum, which was much larger and more interactive than I expected. There were old vehicles, uniforms, and even a pneumatic mail system on display. Surprisingly, there were a lot of interactive exhibits for kids, which I didn’t expect at a place like this. It made me realize how much effort they’ve put into making the museum enjoyable for visitors of all ages. Shonda and I didn’t read every single thing, but we spent a good amount of time checking out the displays and learning about how the postal system evolved over the years.
In the end, I was so glad we visited. What started as a random suggestion turned into one of the most memorable stops on our trip. The entire experience, including the train ride and the museum, took about an hour and 20 minutes, but it was worth every second. If you ever find yourself in London with some extra time, I’d highly recommend checking it out. It’s not just a museum—it’s a journey through a piece of history you don’t usually hear about.
website: https://www.postalmuseum.org/visit-us/what-to-expect/mail-rail/ wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Post_Office_Railway
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