The London Underground, now 160 years old and boasting 272 stations, unsurprisingly has a number of abandoned stations due to changes in the network. As London continues to evolve, some stations have become redundant, often replaced by nearby stations or larger complexes.
However, some, like Aldwych, remain unused without a direct replacement.
Unless Transport for London (TfL) sells the land or property, it retains ownership and maintenance of these deserted stations. While most lie dormant for much of the year, they are well-preserved thanks to the efforts of the London Transport Museum.
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In recent times, many have been opened to the public through special 'Hidden London' guided tours. These tours, led by museum experts, offer a journey back in time beneath the city streets to explore the forgotten Tube stations.
The Hidden London tours provide the best opportunity to discover these abandoned stations, with a variety of them open for exploration, including a disused tram tunnel near Holborn.
The Assistant Director of the London Transport Museum, Chris Nix, spilled some secrets to MyLondon: "There's so much to uncover in the disused stations because they are time-capsules in themselves: you can see vintage posters and signs on the walls, walk down corridors that haven't been used by the public in decades, hear the stories of the people who lived and worked there... And they're constantly evolving, because we keep discovering more and more little-known historical facts as we continue to explore our archives."
Being thorough as ever, MyLondon went digging (quite literally!) underground, joining the Hidden London team to get an insight into these underbelly relics. Even if history or Tube mechanics aren't your thing, their experts' animated descriptions bring these out-of-sight places to life.
Highlights from these tours featured in the 'Secrets of the Underground' TV series.
Hidden London offers guided tours through the following neglected stations:
- Down Street (in-person tour).
- Aldwych (both physical and virtual tours).
- King William Street (virtual tour).
- York Road (virtual tour).
- Brompton Road (virtual tour).
You can also visit the disused sections of these operational stations:
- Charing Cross (in-person tour).
- Clapham South (in-person tour).
- Euston (both in-person and virtual tours).
- Moorgate (in-person tour).
- Piccadilly Circus (in-person tour).
- Shepherd's Bush (in person tour).
You can book all these tours via the London Transport Museum's website here. Prices vary depending on the tour type and station size, but are generally around £40-50 per person, with discounts available.
Some tours are not open to under 14s. 14 to 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Have you experienced one of the Hidden London tours?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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