Buzz
This year, the London Underground subway network celebrates 150 years of operation, yet like any longstanding institution, it harbors its own share of hidden stories. While the Underground map, designed by electrical draughtsman Harry Beck, presents a seemingly orderly layout of evenly spaced stations, the actual rail system is far more complex and disordered.
Beck’s 1933 map, a design still in use today, is a stylized masterpiece inspired by the electrical circuit diagrams he worked with daily. It offers a clean, user-friendly representation of the network. However, the Underground’s development was anything but orderly, with competing companies vying for dominance in a chaotic race to expand their lines during its early years. These lines intertwined beneath London’s streets, leaving some areas overcrowded with stations while others were left without adequate service.
This disorder, combined with the Underground’s long history, has resulted in several stations being left behind. Some were abandoned before they even opened, becoming forgotten relics of the network, unseen and unreachable except to the most determined urban adventurers.
1. Down Street – the wartime bunker
Down Street station, featuring two platforms, was part of the Piccadilly Line shortly after its launch in 1907. The developers failed to realize that the affluent residents of Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious neighborhoods, were unlikely to use the Underground. Over time, attitudes shifted, but the station struggled for 25 years before closing in 1932, as noted in J. E. Connor's book, London's Disused Underground Stations. Although it was never demolished, its sturdy structure proved invaluable during World War II, serving as a temporary refuge for Prime Minister Winston Churchill while the Cabinet War Rooms were under construction.
2. British Museum – too much competition
British Museum station, abandoned for 80 years, highlights the challenges of multiple operators on the Underground network. Opened in 1900 by the Central London Railway, it faced stiff competition when Holborn station was built just 100 yards away in 1906. Holborn’s popularity, coupled with its modernization in the 1930s, including the installation of escalators, led to the eventual closure of British Museum station.
3. North End/Bull & Bush – the one that never opened
In 1903, plans were made to open a station named North End or Bull & Bush on what is now the Northern Underground line. Designed to be the deepest station in the network, it was carved out of subsurface rock, with tunnels and structural work completed. However, the station was never finished, and until the 1950s, there was no surface access. Due to low projected passenger numbers, the investment to complete it was deemed unviable, leaving it unused.
4. Aldwych/Strand – the cultural hub
Aldwych station, originally named Strand, closed permanently in 1994. For 30 years, it operated only during peak hours, serving around 450 daily commuters. Beyond its role as a transport hub, it played a vital part in preserving art during both World Wars, as London’s museums and galleries used its tunnels to safeguard priceless artifacts. Today, its modern design makes it a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, keeping its legacy alive.
5. York Road – the one that could come back
York Road station, opened in 1906, was never particularly busy due to its proximity to Kings Cross, a major rail and Underground hub. It operated for 25 years, excluding Sundays for much of its existence, and has been closed for nearly 80 years. However, there have been discussions about its revival. In 2005, Transport for London (TfL) explored reopening it to ease congestion, but costs were prohibitive. Despite this, the possibility of York Road’s return remains a topic of interest.
