Hidden London Hangouts S3E20 - Kennington station and Kennington Loop

Join the team as they explore the hidden, disused and secret gems of Kennington station and ride the Kennington loop.
The team are Covid tested before filming and follow local and workplace restrictions. The team are authorised to visit all locations.
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[@trainspotting3399]

Been to London many times and ridden the Tube countless times as well (I am in the USA). The episode on Kennington has special meaning to me. I first visited the area in 1960 at the age of 10 when my parents took us to visit my nan and the rest of the family who lived in the Kennington area (my mum was British-GI bride). The Kennington Tube station (and sometimes Lambeth North) was the starting point for many London adventures during the month that we were there. I learned the pre-decimal currency by calculating the fare necessary to go from point A to B. Revisited the area in the late 70s and 80s. Much of the area has since changed and much has not. Now I know what the dome was used for!

[@barrieedison7118]

I was particularly interested in this episode as Kennington was my home station for 35 years, and it confirmed long-held suspicions that there might be interesting remnants behind the doors here! I well remember the old passimeter, the original exit from the station into Braganza Street (closed once the lifts were replaced in the 80’s), and the tiny shop at the front of the station (closed to provide room for the current ticket machines). Other things to note: 1) When the station first opened, the lower lift landing was originally 10-15 feet lower than it is today and, before the old-style lifts with lattice gates were replaced in the early 80’s, you could peer through the lattice gates at the current lower lift landing and clearly see the original lift entrances further down the lift shaft. Related to this, there is a door at the bottom of the emergency stairs and I suspect the stairs here continued down to the original landing 2) During the 20’s rebuilding, one of the original platforms swapped sides to facilitate cross-platform interchange - which is why the CSLR entrances on one platform lead onto the track rather than the platform 3) If you follow the one-way layout on exiting the lifts, you see only “new” signage but, if you walk round the passageways in the opposite direction, you can see at least two “vintage” signs “hidden in plain sight” which you wouldn’t otherwise see if you walk the correct way round.

[@alexgrundon2346]

AMAZING KNOWLEDGE!

[@stuartbusdriver2038]

Excellent my new favorite episode thanks to the Fab4, Jay and all others that made this possible. I was fortunate to travel on the Kennington Loop in the 90s when my Grandad was a driver on the Northern Line he retired when the 95 stock entered service .

[@daveharris7224]

Yes, I'm here as well. I have travelled the loop a while back. It will all go with the northern line extension.

[@peebee143]

Are you LUL?

[@johnnyrich1]

But up to 8 trains an hour are still going to use it aren't they? Even after the extension is open as not all Charing cross trains are running to Battersea Power Station Station, a number will terminate at Kennington anyway and they have to use the loop to turn round. The extension comes off the loop more or less straight out of Kennington station .

[@daveharris7224]

No, just an interested watcher.

[@johannesfeigl5309]

Love the series.cant get enough of it😊

[@daveharris7224]

Another great episode. Thank you all again. I have been around the loop a couple of times. This is relatively easy, due to the lack of platform staff. If you are in one of the back two train cars, the driver doesn't usually have enough time to walk up & down the platform to "wake" you. I know that you shouldn't do it, but it is far less harmless than some of the things people get up to on the tube.

[@Hannah_taylor1237]

i did the same myself was in the last carriage near the cab just waited for the train to set off i have the ride on my KZbin channel kinda hard to do now with the new line

[@daveharris7224]

Hannah Taylor, we all have to find a different exciting trip to keep us entertained now.

[@jimdarrell441]

As the old song goes, this was Simply The Best, episode so far! So much amazing stuff packed into this one! I was on the edge of my seat as you traversed the loop. Great job team!

[@peebee143]

To whomsoever is the one waiting:- You are not alone!

[@ulazygit]

Another great episode ... I joined you live for this one as normally the premieres are at 5am Sunday mornings for me ... so worth getting up for - especially for Alex’s cheeky closet and flange quips! Keep up the good work, guys ... you deserve your ‘fab 4’ moniker!

[@alexgrundon2346]

😘

[@jacksugden8190]

👍😀👍 Brilliant video 👍😀👍

[@bpb235]

I spent 15 years commuting between Colliers Wood and Moorgate. I got to ride the loop many times on purpose in the 90's :)

[@paulgiffen6836]

Hi Team, what a fantastic episode, i am going to visit Kennington next time im up there, love those tiles and old sign through the magical door and the dome is superb, thank you team you have made my day 💖

[@davestyx1642]

Well Fab 4 you’ve done it again! A box of fabulous hidden delights and the Kennington Loop to boot! I couldn’t believe it when you kept finding even more hidden passages and cupboards and then went up in the dome too. What was also enjoyable for me was seeing your faces of sheer delight, especially when you rode the loop! I always look forward to and enjoy your HLH presentations, so keep up the good work and many thanks.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Hope you’re keeping ok, Dave

[@davestyx1642]

@@alexgrundon2346 Thanks Alex. Unfortunately was admitted to hospital this week with an arrhythmic heart, but on treatment now.

[@andrewdale3695]

I rode the loop once :) One evening they mis-routed a rush hour train around the loop. We pulled out of Kennington, and 2 minutes later pulled into Kennington. The driver apologized and we all got off - everyone naturally went through the arches to the other platform, with rather uselessly was the other northbound platform! It took ages for an entire packed trainload of people to find our way up and around the narrow winding passages of Kennington (which none of us had ever seen before) and get back onto a southbound platform.

[@Lisbonized]

Probably a wrong signal given by the signaller and the driver accepting in error. Take comfort in the fact the driver may have been finishing at Morden and had to do some extra mileage! 😂

[@pb4rton]

What a fantastic episode! Thank you so much for doing this!!!

[@guyavni8834]

Thank you once again. This is an episode to watch over and over again because it is such rich with content. I would say this is your best one yet, but choosing your best episode is like choosing Bob Dylan's best song. Almost impossible, because there are so many good ones.

[@unittaskforce]

Another great episode, some excellent tiling. And I love the amount of tunnels down there for what is a relatively small station.😀👍

[@London1064]

Thank you guys. Great video 👍👍👍

[@twiggyclarklondon]

Excellent. Video. I live at the Oval. I have accidentally ridden the Kennington loop a few times. 😂

[@kevinreed9232]

Wow-what an episode Thank you.

[@carey42]

Great episode, thanks!

[@ClydebridgeStation]

Agree with you on the Glasgow Subway, and you'll find an original Glasgow subway car at the Riverside museum, Glasgow, and another at the Museum of Scottish Railways, next to the Boness and Kinneil Railway. The photo of them building the step plate junction, but leaving the running tunnel in place until the last minute, is similar to what they done in the 1970s, at Baker Street, for making the Jubilee, when they had to separate the Stanmore branch of the Bakerloo line, and build new junctions.

[@Harrimoto]

So glad I found this channel KENNINGTON IS MY FAVOURITE STATION also love the BROMPTON episode never knew it existed keep up the great work

[@sgardoll]

I've watched this a few times now. Such an epic episode.

[@MrAsBBB]

Back in the day, probably 1990. I used to do a night shift at an office at Borough! This particular day at 6am I was so tired I fell asleep. By the time I woke I must have gone back and forth at least twice judging how long I had been asleep. So I may have gone loopy.

[@Andrewkiff]

Excellent video,Thanks so much

[@davedrew9328]

Really good episode.

[@1974cfjl]

Kennington was the first station to have Electric lifts on the London Underground system when it was converted from Hydraulics in 1897 !!

[@peterwatkins7419]

Thanks guys for reading out my comment I sent last week. While we chatting about the northern line did u know in the 60’s a group called the new vaudeville band sung about Finchley Central from Golders Green i Remember my dad playing this while I was a kid

[@MrAsBBB]

Fantastic episode. Cheeky and Geeky. I bet at least one of you have been bought a tile for Christmas. I am binging whilst with a heavy dose of the flu.

[@darrenvoysey7734]

i stumbled upon having watched a series on yesterday....portillo eat your heart out!

[@alexgrundon2346]

🥰🥰🥰

[@user-ji3wz5lt9h]

Kennington is my local station and I love it. Would really like to see the other side of the lifts on ground level as it looks like there is a smaller ticket office there, or maybe once it was just exit only! I accidently rode the loop once. About to get off when i realised i left something on the seats and dashed back, but the doors closed before i could get off. Must admit I was secretly really happy and excited to ride the loop. It was scary as the lights were turned out and all I could think about was bumping into the Kennington Station ghost. Best bit was watching the faces of people on the platform as they see an empty train roll in with just one solitary freaked out passenger!

[@HumbleLife]

Love you guys

[@fintytin5771]

Brilliant fab stuff as per usual. !!! I been feeling rotten all day at work so was looking forward to this so much Idea for future episode if I may. - North End ( or Bull and Bush depending on ones opinion ) -partially built but never finished ?

[@alexgrundon2346]

Glad we made you feel better! Yup Bull and Bush is on the list

[@martinbrettcom]

Back in July 2013 a complete run of the northern line from Edgware to Kennington round the loop and back to Edgware utilising the 1938 stock was run. I was fortunate enough to be on this trip, Presumably some special measures were taken

[@alisonjperry6291]

"Hawksley's Patent Step" - I am descended from the Hawksleys - four generations of pioneering civil, mechanical and hydrological engineers.

[@alexgrundon2346]

REALLY???

[@Lisbonized]

When I was a train regulator (signalman) at the old control centre for the Northern line at Cobourg Street you could fit three trains in the Kennington loop under normal signalling. It was coloured light signals all the way and not shunt disks which meant it wasn’t unsafe for passengers to travel on. The reason why having passengers travelling the loop was discouraged was due to how long a train could possibly be left in the loop waiting to exit. It wasn’t a very nice bit of track to walk either!

[@srfurley]

It’s a pity that Aldenham Works and Lots Road Power Station are no longer there to be visited.

[@Gazellekaz]

Sorry for coming to this video so late. Have only just discovered you guys and I'm hooked and working my way through them. This video is particularly interesting for me as I've lived in Kennington for the past 25 years. I'm fascinated by the ventilation shaft that you were looking up. Where was that in above-ground terms? Within the station complex itself or towards Kennington Park? And I would have loved to have had a better glimpse of the step plate when you did the loop.

[@jgodfrey546]

What a superb episode! Most envious of your loop journey... Q: How would the current lift kit have found its way into the dome? The stairs seem low / narrow... Is there an exterior doorway up there?

[@NJPurling]

I would have wanted to put up a ladder & see if I could see out of the ventilator at the apex of the dome! You want to do a episode about ghosts of the Underground. There must have been enough tragedies over the years and the excavations for the Tube must have disturbed a few burial grounds. as the tunnels were cut. There was a good TV programme on the subject & a researcher got to ride the Kennington Loop.

[@verumignis4778]

Ive been round the loop one of the staff came round telling everyone to get off, when we told him what we were doing he didnt seem to care and just moved onto telling the next person to get off

[@user-vf9qc6io9i]

Sounds a bit like a Jubilee Line stock at 35:22 and a Central Line stock at 40:18.

[@1974cfjl]

Hi Team , The original Lift and stair shaft is at a lower level than the current Lift and stair shaft level, is it still possible to access the spiral stairs from the original 1890 Lift level ???.

[@home-space]

Guessing the tiles crazing odd the tiles is because of the moisture coming through the walls

[@alan-freeman]

Your quest for the British Museum station visit. Are the platforms still there even though the surface is gone?? Could you go via the track during Engineering Hours when the power is off??

[@AndrewG1989]

Could Kennington station might be upgraded and to have platforms widened to cope with extra passengers and commuters since the Northern Line has been extended to Battersea Power Station.

[@alexmckenna1171]

Great episode! Looks like Chris might be recruiting a new feline member of the Team.. Looks very sweet.

[@davedrew9328]

Just a thought how much electricity is used in all the nook’s and crannies behind the scenes not track just the station’s and cupboards ?

[@thomasweston9216]

Just caught up with your KZbin programme. Typed in Notting Hill Gate and got that episode. I lived for 55 years in the streets just behind the station and can remember when they widened the high street in 1956(?). I have a question. When they opened the new station there was a model of the complex for some time in the landing between the 1st and 2nd escalators. Does it still exist somewhere? Also from 1946 to 1952 I travel to school between Notting Hill Gate and South Kensington, the trains had doors that were opened by the passengers, I have never seen any pictures of this stock. Are there any examples in the collection?

[@alexgrundon2346]

I wonder if it’s at the museum depot at Acton?

[@Lynxfan2]

Hello there, I have a couple of questions regarding the Barman moquette, they are as follows: 1. Do the Central, Northern and the Jubilee lines (apart from the priority seats) feature the same blue Barman moquette? 2. Correct me if I am wrong, the Piccadilly line version of the Barman moquette is a darker shade of blue (navy?) than the Central line? Best wishes and take care. Kind regards, Peter Skuce. St Albans. Hertfordshire.

[@alexgrundon2346]

We’ll answer that this week!

[@London1064]

Why don’t you guys release all the series’s on a DVD?

[@DuskHorizon]

Why not VHS?

[@alexgrundon2346]

I’d quite like a Betamax edition! We love doing these for you for free while we can afford to do it!

[@London1064]

@@alexgrundon2346You look like you all enjoy producing these little gems and it would be great to be able to buy them and also raise money for the museum. Thank you guys.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Have you thought about joining our Patreon? Loads more stuff for a few quid a month. All money goes to the museum and you get bonanza product too!

[@London1064]

@@alexgrundon2346 Thank you👍

[@1974cfjl]

22,53 Brent was renamed Brent Cross on 20 July 1976

[@ianmcclavin]

True. The shopping centre opening was the catalyst for that.

[@1974cfjl]

@@ianmcclavin The Shopping centre opened earlier in that year

[@Steven_Rowe]

What a dram job or volunteer, so much hidden stuff. Hope you never had an encounter with the ghost that inhabit s the loop

[@johnparry7841]

Why was the Kennington Loop built - why not just ask the driver to walk to the front of the train? No other lines turn round trains like this. John Parry

[@alexgrundon2346]

Kept the service running faster. Same was the case at Embankment (formerly Charing Cross)

[@ianmcclavin]

The Piccadilly Line trains that run via Terminal 4 sort of have a similar arrangement, although trains remain in service throughout; they get turned around to face the opposite direction as they also circumnavigate a "loop." The ones to Terminal 5 don't use the loop though, so they don't get turned round. A similar situation now occurs at Kennington, as many trains now run through to Battesea Power Station.

[@racheltaylor6578]

I’ve heard underground workers saying that the Kennington loop is haunted on KZbin.

[@dianekivi5349]

Passengers can't normally travel on the Kennington Loop!

[@benjamindenton]

Greased flanges.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Love a greased flange

[@johnlister]

I’m sorry to say that I was disappointed by this episode. With a little bit of effort, it could have been so much better! I have to admit that wall coverings no matter what their vintage, interest me not one iota. However, it looks like there’s a lot more to the station with all the tunnels. How about a quick layout diagram? You found the vent shaft going up to the surface. Where is it, since it seems to be a decent distance away from the station. (Yes, I looked on Google Earth and it wasn’t apparent). And the excuse about the loop not being certified for passenger service would appear to be nothing more than BS. Clearly part of the loop is now in service as the junction to the Battersea extension. Why not put the rest of it in service so that trains can leave. The announcements can say that the train is now northbound and will be returning to Kennington for your last chance before returning North. cf: City Hall on the NYC subway for how it could be done. There was lots of material left on the floor here. Please do better next time. Thanks.