Introduction
The Crystal Palace Subway is a Grade II listed, restored area containing ornate fan-vaulted ceilings in red and cream brick. It was built to provide access to the Crystal Palace for first-class rail passengers from the Crystal Palace High Level Station, which opened in 1865 on the western side of Crystal Palace Parade.
The subway and station was designed by Charles Barry Jr. and it is said that the decorative brickwork was built by cathedral craftsmen brought over from Italy in just a few months.The subway fell into disrepair after Crystal Palace burnt down in November 1936 and the High Level Station was demolished in September 1954. Plans to restore it were approved by Bromley Council in 2022, funding came from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot, Historic England, and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway.
Access to visit the subway is currently limited to infrequent special public open days. The subway will also be made available to hire for special events.
I took video and photos using a full spectrum converted Sony A6000 camera, and only the ambient lighting present in the subway. The photos are presented here, and a video including a mixture of the video and some of the photos is on YouTube.
The Photos
References
[1] Crystal Palace Subway (Crystal Palace Park Trust)
"The Grade II listed Crystal Palace Subway is a beautifully designed and crafted relic of Victorian construction, built to provide
access to the Crystal Palace for first-class rail passengers. In September 2024 a major restoration project was completed, just
in time for its 160th anniversary in 2025..."
https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/pages/crystal-palace-subway
[2] Crystal Palace (High Level) railway station
"Crystal Palace (High Level) was a railway station in South London. It was one of two stations built to serve the new site of the Great Exhibition building, the Crystal Palace, when it was moved from Hyde Park to Sydenham Hill after 1851..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_(High_Level)_railway_station
[3] Crystal Palace: Plans to restore ornate Victorian subway approved (12 January 2022)
"A hidden Victorian subway in south-east London is set to be renovated after plans to restore it were approved..."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59966872
[4] Crystal Palace Subway Restoration (Thomas Ford & Partners)
"As the gateway for passengers from the High Level Station, the Crystal Palace Subway was the first hint
of the impending extravagance that defined the Crystal Palace. The exceptional craftsmanship
and stunning design of the subway demonstrates the grandeur of Victorian design and engineering..."
https://www.thomasford.co.uk/crystal-palace-subway
[5] Ian Visits: Crystal Palace Subway
"A recently restored and richly decorated brick vaulted subway that used to link first class passengers arriving
at Crystal Palace High Level railway station with the Crystal Palace building itself..."
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/venues/crystal-palace-subway/
[6] Living London History on Facebook
"A fantastic visit yesterday to the, now partially restored, Crystal Palace Subway..."
Living London History on Facebook
[7] Subterranea Britannica: Crystal Palace Subway
"...it consisted of a wide vaulted and tiled chamber resembling a Byzantine crypt and was designed and built by cathedral
craftsmen brought over from Italy..."
https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/crystal-palace-subway/
[8] London’s Hidden Subway: The Last Survivor of the Crystal Palace (Historic England on YouTube)
"...And you brought the passengers into this Grand Atrium and this is a big moment for going into the Palace.
It was designed by Charles Barry Jr. whose father of course was the architect responsible for rebuilding
the Palace of Westminster. He also designed the new station. He was a great Victorian
architect, he loved his multicolor brick work..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQnCPaVu2Ig
[9] Bricklayers Online on Facebook
"Brickwork that's outlived the station above it!..."
Bricklayers Online on Facebook