Time capsules in Leicester Square

A time capsule is a historical repository of goods or information, usually intended as a message for future generations.

Time Capsule Leicester Square London — © Wonders of London

Just think that the most famous time capsule, the 1939 Westinghouse one, will be opened in 6939, while the Crypt of Civilization, buried in 1940, will be opened on May 28, 8113.

Today’s time capsules are often created and buried to celebrate important events, and the burial time will be much shorter.

In Leicester Square you can find the Warner Cinemas’ (now Vue Cinema) time capsule, which was sealed by actor Harrison Ford, right outside the cinema, during the premiere of the film The Fugitive in 1993, and will be opened in 2093.

The second pod was buried in February 2017 during construction of the complex that now houses the Odeon cinema, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, as well as bars and restaurants, to commemorate reaching the lowest point during the construction works, over 30 meters below ground level, making it the deepest hotel basement in London.

The capsule is located at a depth equivalent to 78 double-decker buses and contains documents, newspapers and images of the project.

If you’re curious you can watch the video of the time capsules in Leicester Square on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin!