South Kensington station

Historically, South Kensington is important as one of the earliest Underground stations in the world, and from its inception, it was always intended to be an urban feature in keeping with its surroundings. South Kensington was a key station on the Metropolitan Railways network, and on the Circle Line of 1884, forming the link between the western and the eastern sections of the route. In 1907 it became one of the first electric 'tube' stations of the Piccadilly Line.

South Kensington Underground Station stands at the heart of one of the most popular and frequently-visited historic areas of London. It forms the gateway for rail passengers to 'Albertopolis', the late-Victorian scheme of museums and educational establishments that dominate South Kensington's skyline. It is an integral part of this important Conservation Area: indeed, the station itself and its arcade was designated a ‘Conservation Area’ by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 1990.

South Kensington was one of the first stations in the world to incorporate an arcade of shops, which is still in use today with its original fittings intact.

Moreover, its Piccadilly Line extension was one of the underground stations designed by the Underground Group’s architect Leslie Green. The station's oxblood terracotta faience tiled façade contains features that are unique to South Kensington, such as the black lettering on the lower frieze, and the ornate Art Nouveau cartouches.

The station architecture reflects the early history of South Kensington as a place of residence and of public exhibitions. The building preserves a sense of light and space at the heart of South Kensington. Its design was always intended to be complementary to its environment, and the current structure ensures that the historically and aesthetically important vistas of Imperial College's Colcutt Tower, two of the Natural History Museum towers and Aston Webb’s late-Baroque octagonal cupola above the main entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum, are all preserved.

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