London has been the home of the largest, most extensive decorative tiling project ever undertaken in Britain. The tiling of over ninety tube platforms and associated passage ways, staircases and surface-level booking halls, probably amounted to the largest single creation of decorative art on public display - and probably the longest and thinnest art gallery anywhere. Here are my favourite and perhaps less obvious tile motifs on the Victoria Line.
Platform motif - a maze like warren
Warren Street Underground Station
Half way down the Victoria line is Euston Road station which is was re-named in 1908 to Warren Street. The station is host to the Northern and Victoria lines. The Victoria Line platforms opened on 1 December 1968.
Did you know?
The doors for trains on all four platforms at Warren Street open on the left hand-side. This is due to the right-hand running on the Victoria line.
Stockwell Swan by Abram Games
Stockwell Underground Station
Even though there isn't much to see and enjoy on street level in the area this tile motif by Abram Games makes up for it. It's quite easily to see a random blue and white tile pattern rather than the swan in the centre. The swan is a nod to the Swan pub opposite the tube station. Like Warren Street station, Stockwell tube station services both the Northern and Victoria lines.
Did you know?
Stockwell is the southernmost London underground station that serves more than one line.
Seven Sisters Underground Platform Motif
Seven Sisters Station
The seven tree tiles show recognition to how the area was named, In the first ordinance survey map published in in 1805 this area was known as Seven Sisters. It had previously been known as Page Greene and can be tracked on maps dating back to 1619. The new name was derived from seven elm trees having been planted in a circle with a walnut tree in the centre the common land known as Page Greene.
In his early C17th work, Brief Description of Tottenham, local vicar and historian William Bedwell described the walnut tree as a local 'arboreal wonder' which 'flourished without growing bigger' being popularly associated with the burning of an unnamed Protestant.
Did you know?
Seven Sisters has a disused platform
Kings Cross Platform Tile Motif
Kings Cross Station
Victoria line began 1 December 1968, five years after the station's main opening. King’s Cross-St. Pancras station is the most connected London Underground station with connections to 6 lines, over half of London’s underground lines. On top of that, it serves two National rail stations (from where it gets its rather unwieldy name). Both stations have undergone major refurbishment. (blog post to follow shortly)
Official site for Art on the underground
Official site for Abram Games
You should follow me on twitter here
Platform motif - a maze like warren
Warren Street Underground Station
Half way down the Victoria line is Euston Road station which is was re-named in 1908 to Warren Street. The station is host to the Northern and Victoria lines. The Victoria Line platforms opened on 1 December 1968.
Did you know?
The doors for trains on all four platforms at Warren Street open on the left hand-side. This is due to the right-hand running on the Victoria line.
Stockwell Swan by Abram Games
Stockwell Underground Station
Even though there isn't much to see and enjoy on street level in the area this tile motif by Abram Games makes up for it. It's quite easily to see a random blue and white tile pattern rather than the swan in the centre. The swan is a nod to the Swan pub opposite the tube station. Like Warren Street station, Stockwell tube station services both the Northern and Victoria lines.
Did you know?
Stockwell is the southernmost London underground station that serves more than one line.
Seven Sisters Underground Platform Motif
Seven Sisters Station
The seven tree tiles show recognition to how the area was named, In the first ordinance survey map published in in 1805 this area was known as Seven Sisters. It had previously been known as Page Greene and can be tracked on maps dating back to 1619. The new name was derived from seven elm trees having been planted in a circle with a walnut tree in the centre the common land known as Page Greene.
In his early C17th work, Brief Description of Tottenham, local vicar and historian William Bedwell described the walnut tree as a local 'arboreal wonder' which 'flourished without growing bigger' being popularly associated with the burning of an unnamed Protestant.
Did you know?
Seven Sisters has a disused platform
Kings Cross Platform Tile Motif
Kings Cross Station
Victoria line began 1 December 1968, five years after the station's main opening. King’s Cross-St. Pancras station is the most connected London Underground station with connections to 6 lines, over half of London’s underground lines. On top of that, it serves two National rail stations (from where it gets its rather unwieldy name). Both stations have undergone major refurbishment. (blog post to follow shortly)
Official site for Art on the underground
Official site for Abram Games
You should follow me on twitter here
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