The remarkable Crystal Palace Subway begins a new era following major restoration, in time for its 160th anniversary.
A new roof and extensive repairs breathe new life into the Victorian subway, with significant funding and partnership working the key to its transformation. The magnificent space will open to the public for the first time since restoration as part of Open House Festival on Saturday 21 September, 10:00am to 14:00pm. This is the first major stage in transforming the Victorian Crystal Palace Subway into a unique new venue.
The historic Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway is set to reopen following major restoration work, in time for its 160th anniversary in 2025. A new roof over the East Courtyard and extensive repairs to the walls, floor, steps and entrances have breathed new life into the Victorian subway. The structure dates from 1865 and is the most substantial survivor of the huge Crystal Palace complex which was dramatically lost to fire in 1936.
The subway’s restoration is a key element of Bromley Council’s wider Regeneration Plan for Crystal Palace Park. Historic England provided expert advice throughout the restoration, with Bromley Council appointing architects Thomas Ford & Partners and conservation specialists DBR Limited to transform the space. The subway will now be run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the new community-led custodian of the park.
The £3.5m project was funded through a number of sources, including from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot, more than £1m from Historic England, and generous donations from numerous individuals.
The repair and restoration project also benefited from significant local support spearheaded by the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, with the group collaborating closely with Bromley Council and Historic England over the last decade to see the site brought back into public use.
Further grant funding and investment will be sought in the coming years to enable the full transformation of the Crystal Palace Subway into an incredible venue.
Crystal Palace Park Trust will open the doors to the magnificent space as part of Open House Festival on Saturday 21 September, 10:00am to 14:00pm.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This is the incredible moment that we have all been waiting for as this beautifully restored marvel of history is unveiled in an incredible milestone for our regeneration plan to transform the park. Much like the Victorian passengers who once used it, visitors to the subway will now be guided into a new era for this incredible park, with this astounding restoration providing a glimpse into the park’s bright future, as we continue to protect its remarkable history by pressing forward with our planned regeneration.”
Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust said: “The completion of the subway restoration project couldn’t be a better gift to mark the one-year anniversary of the Trust’s custodianship of this incredible historic landscape. We would like to extend our gratitude to the passion, dedication and hard work of those in our local community who campaigned tirelessly, under the leadership of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, for this restoration to happen. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people from our surrounding five boroughs, as well as those from further afield, to visit this beautiful space.”
Lord Mendoza, Historic England Chairman, said: “The subway’s restoration has been a labour of love. The rejuvenation of this extraordinary space was made possible by the determination of the local community and the commitment of partners and funders. I applaud those involved. Heritage brings people together and the subway, this beautiful example of Victorian construction, will do just that for many as a new venue in Crystal Palace.”
Karl Richter and Jules Hussey, Co-founders of Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, said: “Fourteen years ago the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway began the journey to realise the reopening of the subway. Over the intervening years, countless individuals, groups, and local businesses in Crystal Palace have lent their support to this restoration project, whether through donating funds or their time by volunteering on open house days for the public. The support of Bromley Council and Historic England has been pivotal to the successful realisation of this new era for the subway and we are indebted to all those in the surrounding communities who determinedly backed the project to reach this incredible point.”
Regeneration plan
Restoration of the subway is part of a concerted effort to revive the park and celebrate its rich heritage. Crystal Palace Park is a Grade II* registered landscape and is home to numerous historic features including the popular Grade I listed Dinosaur sculptures and the Italian Terraces with their Egyptian-style Sphinxes.
The next major works for the £52m Regeneration Plan for the park includes the restoration of the Italian Terraces and the Dinosaurs, where Historic England has also been providing expert surveys and advice. Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting this phase, with wider funding for the Regeneration Plan coming from a number of sources, including the sale of residential developments coming forward next to the park. Planning approval was recently granted for this next phase of the Regeneration Plan.
Brief history of the subway
The original Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton, was built to host the Great Exhibition of 1851 - a vast international showcase of the applied arts in Hyde Park. After the exhibition closed, the enormous structure was dismantled and rebuilt in South London. It reopened in 1854 as an even larger building surrounded by grand landscaped pleasure grounds on the slopes of Sydenham Hill.
The elaborate subway, designed by Charles Barry Jr, first opened in 1865 and provided a direct link for 1st class passengers coming from the High Level Station (demolished 1961) under Crystal Palace Parade and into the Palace. The subway is one of the last remaining structures from the ill-fated Crystal Palace which burnt down in 1936.
The structure was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War and then became a local hangout and occasional community event space after the war. The Chemical Brothers filmed their 1996 music video for Setting Sun in and around the subway. It had its listing upgraded to Grade II* in 2018, reflecting its national heritage significance.
Ends
For media enquiries please contact:
Bromley Council - James George, Public Affairs, james.george@bromley.gov.uk / 020 8313 4565
Crystal Palace Park Trust - Catherine Sweeney catherine.sweeney@crystalpalaceparktrust.org / 020 8050 7852
Historic England - Celia Knight celia.knight@historicengland.org.uk / 07900 770 423
Notes to editors
- Photos for media use: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Na5qXaTACzXMGGN46
About Historic England
Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. They protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. Working with communities and specialists, they share their passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all. Follow on social media @HistoricEngland
About Crystal Palace Park Trust
Crystal Palace Park Trust is the new, community-led custodian of the 200-acre, Grade II* listed historic landscape and its many unique buildings and attractions, in south London. The Trust’s vision is for Crystal Palace Park to be an outstanding park for London. Our mission is to protect, manage and improve Crystal Palace Park as a green, open, historic, ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and educational resource in the interests of the community and other Park users.