The Subway is now being carefully run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led charity which took over the management of the park in 2023 as part of the wider regeneration plan for the park…reports Asian Lite News
The newly restored, Grade II listed Crystal Palace Subway has won a National Railway Heritage Award, recognising the impressive restoration that is now being enjoyed by local residents and visitors.
The Subway restoration was selected by judges for the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award, recognising the collaborative approach to the restoration works. The award was presented jointly to Bromley Council and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, following enthusiasm and support of local residents which led to the restoration.
The Subway restoration was also guided by expert advice provided by Historic England, which saw careful repairs provided to the walls, floors and entrances and created a stunning new glass roof over the east courtyard, which was formerly the ticket hall. The restoration project cost £3.5m, funded jointly from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot, more than £1m from Historic England, and significant local support and individual donations.
The Subway is now being carefully run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led charity which took over the management of the park in 2023 as part of the wider regeneration plan for the park.
A commemorative plaque to recognise the National Railway Heritage Award will be displayed at the Subway in due course.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This welcome award is excellent recognition of what has been achieved and further cements the legacy of this incredible structure following its careful restoration last year which is allowing the beautiful Subway to once again be enjoyed by residents and visitors. I thank the local residents and partners involved for their support in making this restoration possible. It has been the perfect start to our wider regeneration plan which we are now progressing for the whole of this historic park and which will ensure the park’s future is just as magnificent as its past.”
Sue Giovanni of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway said: “The Subway reopened in September 2024 and has already welcomed thousands of visitors for tours, drop-in visits and a craft market. Crystal Palace Park Trust is continuing to develop the Subway as a unique venue for south London, ahead of its 160 year anniversary in 2025, with upcoming events including seasonal pop-up cinema screenings, a comedy night and a silent disco.”
Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust, said: “Huge congratulations to the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway and Bromley Council for this well-deserved award, and thank you to everyone who has supported the Subway over the years. The Trust is so pleased to see the National Railway Heritage Awards recognise this wonderfully restored space – the first step in the regeneration plan for the park that the Trust is now delivering in partnership with Bromley Council.”
The National Railway Heritage Awards are dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration and continued upkeep of the heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures.
Crystal Palace Subway was designed by Charles Barry Junior and built in 1865 to give rail passengers arriving at the Crystal Palace’s High Level Station direct access to the iconic Palace. After the Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire in 1936, the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company closed the High Level Station due to low demand.
The Subway found a new purpose as an air raid shelter during World War II, suffering damage to the roof from an aircraft fire. While the High Level Station was eventually demolished in 1961, the Subway was thankfully spared, and has now been restored following continued local interest and advocacy for its architecture and history.
Crystal Palace Park Trust is the 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.
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