London is a city teeming with architectural wonders, and its Tube stations are no exception. Among the myriad of unique structures, one Bakerloo line stop stands out for its quirky charm – Kilburn Park station.
With its distinctive red-tiled facade, it’s reminiscent of many a London pub from days gone by, a nod to the classic Tube station designs of the early 1900s.
The man believed to be behind this particular design is Stanley Heap, although his work draws heavily from the style of his more famous predecessor, Leslie Green.
Green’s designs typically featured similar red-tiled exteriors, glazed with a glossy surface known as faience, and arched lattice windows. However, Kilburn Park takes this design ethos up a notch.
You might mistake it for the neighbourhood pub if you’re new to the area
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It’s a longer, more robust structure than most of Green’s other creations. Unlike stations such as Chalk Farm or Belsize Park, Kilburn Park lacks a first floor with arched windows.
This unique feature is due to the station’s use of escalators instead of lifts, eliminating the need for space for lift mechanisms.
This building’s standout feature is its original lattice windows at ground floor level, untouched and unrepainted. Their unique design stretches almost to the pavement, setting the structure apart.
With a six-bay frontage on Cambridge Avenue, onlookers are treated to an unobstructed view of the distinctive tripartite windows. Above, a tiled frieze contrasts with the faience backdrop, while banners above each bay announce “EXIT”, “Underground”, “KILBURN”, “PARK”, “Underground”, and “ENTRANCE.”
Upon entering, visitors find themselves surrounded by the classic green and cream checked tiles, reminiscent of Leslie Green’s elegant 1920s aesthetic. The ticket area boasts original wooden detailing and a charming timber kiosk complete with a moulded cornice band, sash windows, dado panelling, and a panelled door that whimsically echoes the look of a chocolatey Tardis!
The interior is pretty nice as well
(Image: No credit)
The straightforward double escalator well is topped with an elliptical glass dome that bathes the space in light, centred around a prominent bulb. Deeper inside, the lower escalator hall features moulded arches with keystones, leading to platforms adorned with rich tiling up to a continuous frieze emblazoned with the station’s name, and at the edge, there’s a polished wood observation kiosk, crowned with an OG clock.
The platforms themselves boast a lavish encrustation of tiles, adding to the station’s historic charm.
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