Suburbia

This exhibition explores how public transport helped to create suburbia, and many of the myths, dreams and nightmares that surround it. Previously unseen posters, photographs, early publicity material, signs and maps, as well as film and interviews with suburbanites past and present, provide historical context for the creation of the suburbs. The 'suburban dream' is examined through images of domestic and commercial architecture and gardens, shown alongside pictures of the railway and Underground stations that were built to serve London's outer reaches. Also included are early examples of estate agents' spin and a look at the shopping habits and pastimes of suburbanites, as well as an exploration of suburbia's pervading influence on music, television and film.