Buoyed by the huge, popular success of the opening of the restored Victorian railway station subway for last month’s Open House events, the Crystal Palace Park Trust have announced further dates when the “hidden gem beneath your feet” will be open for visitors.

A wonder of south London: the Crystal Palace Subway, now restored after a 14-year campaign and £3.5m

“No booking is needed,” they say, before adding a note of caution, “but please be aware, there may be queues.”

A line two- or three-people deep formed around the block throughout the weekend to view the subway last month, after years of painstaking restoration work was placed on display for the first time.

The historic Grade II*-listed Crystal Palace Subway is being opened to the public gradually, ahead of its 160th anniversary in 2025.

The £3.5million restoration has given it a new roof over the east courtyard and extensive repairs to the walls, floor, steps and entrances.

The structure dates from 1865, shortly after the vast Crystal Palace was moved, pane-by-pane, from the site of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park to Sydenham. It is now the most substantial surviving part of the huge complex which was destroyed in fire in 1936.

The subway originally served as the access point for first-class rail passengers to the Crystal Palace.

The latest Open Subway dates announced are:

• 1 Dec 10am to 2pm
• 23 Jan 2025 11am to 2pm
• 20 Feb 11am to 2pm
• 20 Mar 11am to 2pm

“Visits will be largely self-guided, with staff and volunteers available to share nuggets of the Subway’s remarkable history, from its original use as an entry point to the Crystal Palace for railway passengers, to an air raid shelter, to illegal raves!” the Crystal Palace Park Trust says.

“Now the major restoration project is completed, it’s time to start breathing new life into this magnificent space. Over the coming years, the Subway will form a spectacular venue for a huge range of uses, from exhibitions, music, theatre, and dance performances, to celebrations, weddings and photoshoots.”

The Trust is even hiring out the venue for events and productions. Contact events@crystalpalaceparktrust.org for more information on that, or click here to find out more about visiting the Crystal Palace Subway.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

• For more information, visit www.say-youth.org

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