Can you visit any abandoned tube stations on the London Underground?
Yes, you can visit abandoned tube stations on the London Underground. The London Transport Museum have a section on their website called ‘Hidden London’. Hidden London refers to the ‘forgotten’ parts of the underground network that you can visit. You can go behind the scenes at some of London’s busiest stations and visit abandoned tube stations.
Why Would You Want to Visit an Abandoned Underground Station?
The question might be ‘Why Would You Want to Visit an Abandoned Underground Station?’ Well, the answer is obvious, because it’s fascinating.
It’s fascinating to see things from the past. This is one of the reasons that the world has museums. It’s equally interesting to see buildings that have a great or interesting history. Abandoned tube stations are a window to the past and very interesting.
Abandoned tube stations are a great opportunity for urban explorers to get a glimpse into the past. They offer a unique experience and provide insight into how people used to live and travel. Often the stations and tunnels look the same as the day they were built. There may even be period signage and advertising.
Time Stands Still
Abandoned London Underground stations are at a different level from other historical attractions. This is because time has literally stopped for them.
The stations, ticket halls, rooms and escalators have not been ‘improved’ in any way. They have not been modernised, updated or cleaned since the day they were closed. These parts of the network have been left, abandoned. Abandoned in a good way for people who like to visit abandoned tube stations.
It’s due to the very nature of an underground station, and the limitations of their future use, that they have not been repurposed.
An abandoned overground rail station can have a new life after the railway has gone away. The station can often be converted into a residential dwelling. If it’s located in a town, it can be converted into a shop, cafe, office etc.
An abandoned London tube station is a completely different matter.
The ground-level parts, the surface buildings and the ticket halls of an underground station are easily repurposed. They can be sold or rented and often become cafes, restaurants, shops etc, but the stairways, lifts and platforms have little ongoing use after the station is closed.
However, the stairways have no use other than to access the platform from the surface. The platforms and tunnels can possibly used be used as storage locations. Tunnels were often repurposed during the second world war. But these days, their strange layouts and size do not lend themselves to this.
More information
Find out more with the London Transport Museum’s exclusive hidden London tours…
https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london
As of May 2022: Tours take last between 60 and 90 minutes. They are held at various times throughout the day. They are located all over the tube network and cost between £37 and £90 with reductions for concessions.
Abandoned Tube Stations Links
Abandoned tube stations website
http://www.abandonedstations.org.uk/
Disused underground stations
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/culture-and-heritage/londons-transport-a-history/london-underground/disused-underground-stations
A list of former and unopened London Underground stations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_former_and_unopened_London_Underground_stations
11 Abandoned Tube Stations And The Fascinating Stories Behind Them
https://secretldn.com/abandoned-tube-stations/
