civic
Crystal Palace Parade, Crystal Palace, SE19 2BA
A self-guided tour through the active conservation and restoration project revitalising the Crystal Palace Victorian Subway
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Subway {51.42225376225513,-0.07610553914793927} SE19 2BA The venue is located on the North-Westside of Crystal Palace Park. The closest landmark is the Crystal Palace bus terminal. When approaching the bus terminal from the high street, the site is towards the left. It will be clearly defined by site fencing and DBR site signage for easy discovery.
Accessibility is limited due to an active construction site. Visitors will be required to sign a disclaimer form. Visitors must wear covered footwear. No step-free access. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult - no buggies allowed. Assistance dogs allowed. There are no toilets on site. Public toilets are located in Crystal Palace Park approximately 20 min walk from the site.
Crystal Palace Subway is a beautifully designed and crafted relic of Victorian construction, hidden under Crystal Palace Parade. Constructed in 1865 to provide access to the Crystal Palace from the High Level Railway Station it is now listed Grade II* but, after more than 50 years as a ruined structure, the Subway was in a very poor condition until the current restoration works commenced.
Located at the intersection of five London boroughs, the Grade II* Crystal Palace Subway first opened in 1865 to provide access to the Crystal Palace from the High-Level Station. The Subway is one of the last remaining features of the Crystal Palace following the 1936 fire, when the Victorian roof that covered the Subway’s East Courtyard was destroyed. Nevertheless, the Subway has been utilised by the community as a WW2 air-raid shelter and occasional event space. In 2013, a small steering group of volunteers and sponsors was formed to champion the restoration of the site, formally constituted as the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway. In 2022, the Council appointed specialist contractor DBR to undertake the Subway Restoration Project.
The present phase of repairs to the Subway is restoring the East Courtyard and stairs and is being carried out in accordance with established conservation principle of
minimum intervention, so that as much original material as possible is retained and conserved in-situ. Traditional materials and techniques are being used throughout. Where the original bricks were missing entirely, or were structurally unsound, they have been replaced with carefully sourced new or salvaged bricks. The missing steps are being replaced in new York stone. The north wall of the courtyard was leaning so badly that it had to be entirely reconstructed although, even then, it was possible to save the Victorian retaining wall that stood behind it. The new roof has been designed to create a single column-free space internally but its internal structural form acknowledges the double pitches of the original roof.
Accessibility is limited due to an active construction site.
Visitors will be required to sign a disclaimer form.
Visitors must wear covered footwear.
No step-free access.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult - no buggies allowed.
Assistance dogs allowed.
There are no toilets on site. Public toilets are located in Crystal Palace Park approximately 20 min walk from the site.
