Aldwych Station: An Iconic Disused Tube Station in London

Overview of Aldwych Station

Aldwych Station is perhaps the most famous disused tube station on the London Underground network. Occasionally, the London Transport Museum organizes tours, providing a unique opportunity to explore this historic site.

Among the 26 disused tube stations in London, Aldwych stands out due to its popularity as a filming location. It has featured in numerous films including The Patriot Games, V for Vendetta, Atonement, and 28 Days Later. The music video for Firestarter by The Prodigy was also filmed here, and more recently, the station appeared in the Mr. Selfridge TV series.

History of Aldwych Station

Designed by Leslie Green, Aldwych Station opened in 1907 under the name Strand Station, serving visitors to Theatreland. Shortly after its opening, it merged with the Piccadilly Line but soon experienced low passenger numbers as it became a less-traveled spur from Holborn.

In 1915, the station renamed itself from Strand to Aldwych, reflecting the road on which it is located, as Charing Cross station nearby was then known as Strand.

By 1917, the eastern platform ceased service, and during World War I, it served an essential role in safeguarding 300 paintings from the National Gallery.

In 1922, the Booking Office closed, and ticket issuance took place in the lifts (elevators). Notably, a bell at Holborn station alerted the lift attendant at Aldwych that passengers needed to be collected within two minutes.

During the Blitz, Aldwych station acted as an air raid shelter, accommodating up to 1500 individuals at night with entertainment provided, allowing many daily commuters to enjoy overnight stays.

The station also functioned as deep-level storage for treasures from the V&A and the British Museum, including the renowned Elgin Marbles.

Ultimately, due to continued low passenger numbers and nine-minute gaps between trains making walking faster, Aldwych Station fully closed in 1994 as refurbishment costs became unjustifiable. It is currently a Grade II listed structure, having retained some original features, including a basin in the Ladies’ toilet from 1907.

Visiting Aldwych Station

Today, visitors can explore unfinished tunnels that have never been opened to the public until now. These tunnels, which were hand-dug, remained unused due to a lack of funding. Additionally, other lift shafts were dug but never put into service.

A typical visit includes entry to the Ticket Hall area, a descent of 160 steps, and exploration of two disused platforms and the lifts, although they are not operational. Access to other areas may also depend on what is available during your visit.

It is essential to abide by Transport for London’s ‘terms and conditions.’ Common regulations include wearing appropriate footwear with no open-toed shoes and adhering to the absence of step-free access. Notably, no food or drink is allowed, ensuring that Aldwych station remains vermin-free—differentiating it from many other stations along the network.

Expert tour guides supervise the visits in groups for safety and share a wealth of captivating information along with fascinating photographs. The LTM Friends typically lead these tours, offering expertise about the station’s rich history.

While at the station, pay attention to the posters on the platforms; however, be aware that some have been added specifically for filming and are not original.

How to Plan a Tour

Though tours of Aldwych Station are not held regularly, interested individuals should check the London Transport Museum website for current events and tour announcements. For additional information about disused tube stations, consider visiting resources like Abandoned Tube Stations and Underground History.