This station is home to the Great Eastern railway. Liverpool St station is the fourth busiest station in the UK. London's Wateloo, Victoria and London Bridge being the other three. Trains from here travel eastwards towards Cambridge and East Anglia.
During WW2 it was the entry point for the thousands of Jewish children who had escaped the Nazis. On the platforms were their new foster parents waiting for them.
The station was modernised between 1985-92 but was slightly damaged again in '93 in the Bishopsgate bombing. On 7th July 2005 during the terrorists attacks 7 people were killed when a bomb exploded on an underground train as it left Liverpool Street.
When I came across this falconer holding a Harris's hawk outside the station I thought he was showing the bird to some children nearby, but actually, he was a pest controller.
He patrolled the cafes outside the station and prevented the pigeons from landing there. You might also spot another hawk in Trafalgar Square that flies around the square daily to control the number of pigeons.
It was first opened in 1874 but was hit by enemy aircraft in 1917 during the first world war.
During WW2 it was the entry point for the thousands of Jewish children who had escaped the Nazis. On the platforms were their new foster parents waiting for them.
In Hope Square just outside the station is this statue to the Children of the Kindertransport. The dedication says 'In gratitude to the people of Britain for saving the lives of 10.000 unaccompanied mainly Jewish children who fled from Nazi persecution in 1938 and 1939.
The station was modernised between 1985-92 but was slightly damaged again in '93 in the Bishopsgate bombing. On 7th July 2005 during the terrorists attacks 7 people were killed when a bomb exploded on an underground train as it left Liverpool Street.
He patrolled the cafes outside the station and prevented the pigeons from landing there. You might also spot another hawk in Trafalgar Square that flies around the square daily to control the number of pigeons.
Mr LOL and I plan to visit all the London mainline train stations some day. On that list :). Super shots.
ReplyDeleteI forget which one, but at least one of the stations has employed a hawk handler with his hawk to get rid of pigeons. Great photos and interesting history.
ReplyDeleteYou need a few sparrow hawk they would soon get rid of them. Never been to liverpool street station
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to keep the pigeons under control! And that statue brought tears to my eyes, remembering the thousands of children who were saved by the British people.
ReplyDeleteAnother of London's beautiful stations and I love the pigeon control expert! Also the moving reminder of England's compassion for the Jewish children caught up in the war.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful station and interesting facts. I did not know that during WW2, Jewish children were sent here to escape the Nazis. I had to laugh when I saw the Golden Arches in your last photo. Mickey D's are everywhere.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and historic station it is indeed and what great captures!! Thanks, too, for the very moving reminder of the compassion shown to Jewish children -- innocents caught up in a war they had nothing to do with!! May we never forget. Always a great post/photos! I loved seeing the falconer and his friend!! Wonderful!! Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful station and photography ~ fascinating post and the falcon and pest controller are great! ~ carol
ReplyDeleteWhat a wealth of history and drama .... and this beautiful station has survived it all.
ReplyDeletethe station is so beautiful, it is a destination in itself.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the station.
ReplyDeleteClever idea for pigeon control:) Love how you show the ceilings of the station!
ReplyDeleteWhat an historic station. I love the pigeon control.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I did not realize so many children left without their parents. And the hawk patrol, that is unique to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful station. I just took a train from Memphis to New Orleans and saw many stations – but nothing like this one. The station in New Orleans only has 3 trains stopping by!
ReplyDeleteWhat a job that young man has.... Bet that hawk does a good job of keeping away the pigeons though.... ha.....
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about the Liverpool Street Station ---and all of the children that were saved there... AWESOME.
Hugs,
Betsy
What an architectural wonder. Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Sounds a great and famous railway station! beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteinteresating building. And to hear about the Falcons. Never heard of such a thing before. It is gret!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the station.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's an intriguing history the railway station has got ... and it's great to see a 'natural' solution to the pigeon problem!!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking building - and such interesting history as to why there are some many "main" stations in London.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but wonder how some people would respond to Kindertransport trains these days.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
That was so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI have seen such a controller in Hastings, it was not for the pigeons but for the seagulls !
ReplyDeleteI have never been in this area. Interesting to know !
Interesting info about Liverpool St Station. My daughter was on the underground when the bomb went off. Not the same train but one going into the city. A great way to clear the pigeons.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive station, and a great use for those birds. We have native hawks around my house, but I wish there were more!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post about the station. Those falconers I have never seen in a big city, Amsterdam could use some too I think. There are pigeons everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI remember the station and the statue and the history. Fascinating bit about the falcons ...seems like a great idea.
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