Inside Mark Lane Disused Station | Hidden London Hangouts (S06E07)

The Hangouts team get their torches out to visit Mark Lane, a lost station on the District line that had many names in its life. In the dark and dust they reveal its secrets and discover what survives of the station's original Metropolitan and District Railway origins.
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[@snich63]

Love seeing the shadows of the people walking on the street completely oblivious to “us” touring the station just below them.

[@stephensaines7100]

Nosferatu!

[@Extreme_Rice]

Turns out I did get to see the end so I’m rewatching the start before I go out.

[@alanhorwood1993]

When you get an arch between two girders as shown ar 15:15 the term usually used in engineering is "Jack arch" The Jack arch is usually there to support a floor or Road directly above. The Jack arsh is usually made of brick but can also be a curved metal plate. It is a form of Barrel vault. but in construstion, it is usually called a Jack Arch. They are very common features in railway structures supporting roads and floors above the rail lines.

[@benjamindenton]

That Jameson advert will be down there forever, unremoveable like some sort of Banksy.

[@hairyairey]

Can't believe I missed that one. Actually came out of All Hallows by the Tower after the London Marathon thanksgiving service to look for it (Official church of the marathon). Couldn't find it at all.

[@MrJohnL21]

I distinctly remember this as the original Tower Hill station from the 1960's. I also remember at the same time going through the site of the present Tower Hill station when it was still the abandoned location of an even earlier station (Tower Hill? Mark Lane?) just before reaching the 'Tower Hill' featured in this video. When the station featured here was closed down after the present Tower Hill had been completed a bit further east, trains ran through normally on a conventional 2-platform layout until the westbound platform of the this station had been demolished and a new third track laid to carry westbound through trains, allowing the original westbound track and platform to become the present terminus platform.

[@dannorth3138]

Definitely would love to visit Mark Lane if it ever opened up for tours.

[@mrbma]

Marked this in my diary !!!

[@psarah]

Commuting to Tower Hill, I noticed the space because it was lit sometimes. Love that it’s a disused station. Really hope you will be able to run tours here. It would be good to see it from the other side, i.e. not from a train

[@chrishogg8293]

I went down into the station in the early 1990s when I was photographer at the NRM. Apart from the gems seen in this episode I remember three other things from the trip. There were posters on the wall across the track where the footbridge had been , including one promoting either a Cliff Richard LP or concert . A cafe on the street above was using the station as a store , in fact there was a delivery taking place while we were there. Finally I was bitten by a flea the biggest bite I have ever had which became infected and took weeks to heal !

[@robjones8821]

I noticed something interesting when I went past that way on the train earlier today. Just amazing atmosphere

[@helenhickman8449]

I knew this episode wouldn’t disappoint and it didn’t. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you team. Can’t wait for a tour (if it happens)

[@JamesHomer-Boyd]

"Bilious"! Haven't heard that word in ages!

[@alexgrundon2346]

😊

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Lovely little eprisode. And what a fantastic place that is!

[@andymiller4971]

What an awesome tour this would be.

[@snich63]

Those green tiles are so vibrant!

[@stephensaines7100]

It's akin to peering into an emerald. God only knows how I can tell from just the two dimensional viewing screen here, but the telling was in the light angle of incidence being swept across them. They swept back! Perhaps that's part of the 'haunting' down there?

[@davidberlant5096]

It is refreshing to see that London's abandoned stations are not covered in hideous grafitti, as are those in New York.

[@darrelljim]

Fantastic Job team! This is exactly what keeps us tuning in week after week!

[@carterfamilychannel]

Amazing best video i have seen on the gem of a lost station

[@maryjanegoodhew9955]

Visited there several times on nights....to see the posters and Jameson platform advert up close is something else. Station is allegedly haunted 👻

[@wubberlover]

What a gem of a station the tiles the artwork certainly one for the tours . Warren.

[@timothyp8947]

What an unusual spot. Loved it tonight. Very unusual to see Alex so unnerved by a place, at least where heights aren’t involved.

[@stephensaines7100]

[Very unusual to see Alex so unnerved by a place, at least where heights aren’t involved.] He dropped his mojo, and it wouldn't bounce. The most valuable jewels have to be cleared from the muck. And this was a jewel! It's been a few decades since I was living and working in London last, but this was one of the 'gaps in the wall' I was enthralled to view with my head pressed against the carriage window...and then always thought after: "Did I really see that?" This was one of the best episodes yet, as much as what remains to be shown as what was. As to doing tours there: I dunno. If so, only special limited ones, with a high ratio of staff to guests. In other words, it would have to be a premium tour. So much could be spoiled by 'tidying it up'. Exactly what made Alex cringe is what makes it so special.

[@alexgrundon2346]

Totally agree. My ick with the place is like gold dust to some. But the rat I saw….I could have ridden home on it, such was its size

[@bjoernaltmann]

That Jameson advert: the typeface is Gill Sans; bold for the Jameson part and regular for the part at the bottom. It becomes most obvious in the italics. But Gill took calligraphy class run by Johnston, who became a lasting influence on Gill, so the similarities are not all that surprising

[@simonbiggs9102]

Waiting with anticipation

[@danielconnor9018]

A great episode. I will always feel an affinity with Mark Lane as it is probably the first abandoned underground station I knew. I would always look out for it when travelling between Liverpool Street and Victoria when travelling to see family in the early 80s. I never saw the Jamesons advert until we had a site visit in the late 90s though. Its almost impossible to see from a moving train. Likewise the circulating area at the bottom of the original stairs. I do vaguely remember seeing the old stairs before they were removed and replaced. There is one very blurry photo which I have seen online which shows them still in situ. Did you not fancy exploring the depths of the former gents loo on the EB side? Maybe too much wildlife back there...😁

[@matthewkeith8605]

Oh those tiles! Deja Vu! Kudos for the "Who Sent Clement?" shout out.

[@cjg1970]

The crypt in All Hallows is well worth a visit.

[@jamesharper3002]

Been looking forward to this episode, I always stay in the Tower Hill area when in town for work so it's sort of become my 'neighbourhood' - everytime I travel on the Circle or District I am always spotting for Mark Lane after learning about its history as the 'old Tower Hill station.' Never realised exactly how extensive, and wonderful, the disused station is (those posters and tiles!!). I would absolutely love to hopefully explore it on a tour!

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

Great episode, guys! The discussion about the barrel-vaulted ceiling got me comparing with another classic system, the Paris Metro. Those familiar with it will think of the ubiquitous elliptical cross-secrion station tunnels of the original network. However some were built as straight-sided boxes and they have a very similar ceiling arrangement... Gare de Lyon on Line 1 is a good example of this. So if anyone's visiting Paris in the near future, you might want to take a look.

[@nicolesaphir]

I always check this one out when I'm in London so loved being able to see what's actually there!

[@liamkenny6747]

Oozing with character, a bit damp and dusty.... Mark Lane of course! Great episode team, thank you!

[@JaapFilius]

Wonderful episode.

[@Jaygreig86]

Another brilliant episode from the team ❤

[@buffplums]

7:50 wow incredible how those tiles scrub up. Imagine what that wall would look like after a good scrub.

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

So excited about this! Always been fascinated to see whats down there when passing by.. 😀

[@daveharris7224]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I have passed the outside entrance so many times & travelled between Tower Hill & Monument literally thousands of times and not been aware that there was so much there. It would make a great place to visit if it isis deemed safe & viable. Thank you to the team for this, especially Alex, combating hs fear of rodents to go on with the viewing.

[@alexgrundon2346]

🐀

[@glamladwales7056]

Enjoying these. Found 5 am and on my 3rd vid

[@t2Steve1960]

This is one of my fav's from you lot, as narley as you's are, ho ho. Did you miss a trick with the above ground entrance's to the station? Yes entrances as i believe or understand !!!

[@t2Steve1960]

Directly across the road from the street entrance which you entered in front of the church is an entrance to the station.

[@borgdylan]

Liking this new format with the summary at the beginning!

[@alexgrundon2346]

The shape of things to come

[@johneisen6341]

The green tiles are amazing after all these years 👍

[@stephensaines7100]

You know what it is? They're still *alive*!

[@davidstone408]

Tour here will definitely be challenging, I would think limited numbers like Down Street.

[@stephensaines7100]

Thoroughly agreed. And tour guests should be vetted, perhaps a test to see how much they know already, and thus gauge their ability to appreciate that it's more than just a 'lark'. 'Exclusionary'? Absolutely. I can see a lot having to be sectioned off otherwise, and those parts are the ones most valuable for those most qualified to appreciate them. For the otherwise 'eager hordes', 3D filming could be done to allow exhibits to portray the actual scene without the damage done by too many footfalls. As per the 'buildings inside the trench' (and thus the windows and fireplaces)...these must have predated the overhead decking, and/or had special outside fresh-air feed to equalize the the varying negative and positive pressure as trains passed once the 'trench' was decked over. Fascinating. The plumbing also must have had a way to equalize the wild pressure swings once the trench was decked over.

[@Blade_Daddy]

Top notch!

[@jacksugden8190]

Got some original green tiles down there on the old eastbound platform, bit of mess that old station with the westbound platform now the trackbed, be nice to see some drawings and more, hope to see the film soon folks 👍.

[@stephensaines7100]

[the westbound platform now the trackbed, be nice to see some drawings and more, hope to see the film soon folks ] I was intrigued on exactly that point! Thank You! That would make perfect sense, that the WB platform was subsumed by extra track. Who else votes for a revisit for this site with more detail and discussion? I'm certainly up for it!

[@dgattenb]

Ive been asking for a tour of mark lane for years !!!! cant wait

[@pb4rton]

Potential tour? Oooh yes please!🤗 If you need someone to to assist with a trial tour, I would be more than happy to assist!😁😁😁😁

[@buffplums]

Lol I thought he said “Nice Helmet” 😂😂😂 7:54

[@havingalook2]

Most interesting! The highlight - green tiles - simply beautiful. Many thanks indeed.

[@holisticallyginger3824]

Loved this!! I spent quite a bit of time around there a few years ago as was staying in the hotel above Tower Hill Station. Walked past numerous times totally oblivious! I’d love to go on a tour there 😊

[@gazritchie6077]

Another great episode. Those tiles!!

[@andyg6520]

Brilliant as usual!!

[@London1064]

Excellent as always.

[@greatyorkshirelump]

Fantastic! Tower Hill was my nearest tube and I thought the gate opposite All Hallows must have been something to do with Mark Lane. I would often look out on the eastbound and see where I assumed the platform would be. That was fascinating.

[@unittaskforce]

What an absolutely brilliant episode. A location many have heard of, but I suspect few of us knew how much was down there.

[@jacksugden8190]

Great tour team, trying to think whether I had used that station before closing in 1967, as my late parents would bring me to London, only because some of it looked familiar in that subway, there was a westbound platform that used by the W/B trains, the current TH station was expanded to have a terminating centre platform, due the passing trains, needed removal of the Mark Lane W/B platform.

[@stephensaines7100]

[whether I had used that station before closing in 1967] And even then, how much was hidden.

[@jacksugden8190]

@@stephensaines7100 Think I’d like to have seen some station plans of how it was built, the original stairs rising onto a floor, the original westbound platform, no real mention about the original station building…

[@highpath4776]

@@jacksugden8190 See Jago Hazzard on the Tower Hill Station

[@jacksugden8190]

@@highpath4776 No ideas of who was was - sorry

[@highpath4776]

@@jacksugden8190 Is on YT search Jago videos

[@kevinreed4519]

Great and very interesting Episode, thank You.

[@ljrigsbee]

Loved this. Extra gold stars for braving the wildlife!

[@srfurley]

I remember the new station opening but I don’t think I ever used the old one. Why was the station moved in the ‘60s? Does any trace remain of the original Tower of London station? I believe it was in the site of the present Tower Hill station, so I’m guessing that nothing remains. Is there anything to see at the old Aldgate East station?

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

On your last point about Aldgate East... the station was resited east of the original because if a train came to a standstill on the triangular junction it could fowl both sets of points at the front and rear. Therefore the resited station allowed a section of track to be inserted parallel to the original tracks, long enough to accommodate a whole train and this would have used the space originally occupied by platforms. So obviously one couldn't go exploring down there. Presumably however there may still be tiling on the walls unless the tunnel was widened.

[@grandmaskeate6279]

I think that room with the coat hooks was a cottage! I remember Mark Lane closing down, one trip you'd stop the next time 'Oh where's Mark Lane'!!!

[@jonallen-friend2405]

My fav 3 people.

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

Seriously fascinating!

[@emmah0rse]

Really enjoy these videos, they’re very interesting! Not wanting to sound critical but it was hard to see some of the things you talked about properly as the camera pans for a quick glimpse then back to the presenters. If I ever get the chance I’ll definitely take a tour or two in person but in the meantime could we see more of the structures you’re discussing ❤ thanks again for taking the time to make these videos 😊

[@MrAsBBB]

Fabulous episode. That Jameson add needs preserving and putting on show, it’s just too good to be hidden. Thank you guys. I wish I was one of you as do everyone who watches these.

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤

[@peterpetrou2466]

Another super tour, the team is amazing.

[@alexgrundon2346]

❤❤❤

[@Manchesteru999]

Brilliant stuff. Alex was hilarious, a train and tunnel fanatic freaked out by rats that never appeared.

[@alexgrundon2346]

😂 oh my God we saw them but we took them out of the Hangout. The Patreons will see me scream like a child 😊

[@Chris-cp7ys]

Really great episode, I’ve seen Mark Lane many times on my journeys on the district and circle line. Like you Alex I absolutely hate rodents and would freak out if I saw one!

[@alexgrundon2346]

🐀

[@Shalott63]

Great vid (as always), but disappointed not to see any rodents. I guess they were more scared of Alex than he was of them :D

[@trevorwilliams7279]

I've work on the tracks next to the old mark Lane Station back in the early 1990s

[@Darren79]

I love a creepy station!!😁 A great episode. I noticed the entrance when I walked passed a few years back so it fascinating to see what is beyond.

[@tardismole]

Veritable time capsule (and you later mention this thought). Absolutely love it. And absolutely love the idea of doing tours of disused stations.

[@ltmuseumvideo]

We're so glad you love our tours! You can book your own on our website if you like :)

[@tardismole]

@@ltmuseumvideo I'm disabled, so these videos are my legs. So to speak. I'm still working through the series and enjoying them all.

[@highpath4776]

Nice look around the remaining spaces. From memory did not the Metropolitan District go Clockwise Round the Circle ( makes sense as that is the Hammersmith End to Aldgate , and the District Anti Clockwise (as Putney Bridge etc through Earls Court for Victoria (exception/s being the additional (District ) platforms at High Street Ken and South Kensington just to annoy the Met. They each had their own entrances , the District had its own Tower station ( terminius for some years ) , which later became the main site for the present Tower Hill Station.

[@brendanmcgahan9807]

Fantastic video! I live across the street from this place and always assumed when I passed here that this was an old entrance to Tower Hill Station. Had no idea it was an abandoned station. I don't suppose they do tours here? Would love a wander down there.

[@NCR5309]

The posters are interesting. One might have expected to reference 1967. They don’t. The Crystal Palace circuit poster is 1964. The Classic cinema (most likely the Piccadilly) dates post July 1966. They’d been covered over. Some form of frame over where the Palace one is? (As opposed to posters pasted over)

[@daveys]

Great video! Just a question on that mega bright torch that one of your team is using - do you have details of the make/model for that?

[@ClydebridgeStation]

I believe, when the station closed in 1968, the passageway under the road became a pedestrian subway, then was closed, then reopened, and it appears is closed off again! So, for a period, some people may have used this to cross the road, and not aware they were actually in a disused station!

[@davidhamm7909]

Not sure I like the new format. The film is brilliant as usual but I miss the cosy chats from your homes, especially if it brings in those who couldn’t make the shoots. Maybe there is an opportunity to get together now for the links like the time you were together at the LT Museum. Anyway, keep up the good work. I will continue to watch and enjoy however you decide to continue.

[@stephensaines7100]

I have the complete opposite impression. No filler, save for on-site. This was all meat, no bun.

[@JohnChaffey]

Hi. Had a meal in Bodean’s in 2022 right next door to this old station Enterance. Very small ground floor but big downstairs and has a curious set of load bearing walls and stud walls. At the time I was pretty sure that the space is the reused station.

[@JohnChaffey]

Good stop after the tour?

[@simonbiggs9102]

Can this be one of the most beautiful station's?

[@stephensaines7100]

It could well be, but by the same stroke, very easily spoiled. It's astounding that so much is still intact with the open exposure to passing trains still.

[@TheWelshTramper]

How can you have a LU obsession with a fear of Rodents? They are practically on the payroll!

[@PeteMel1875]

The guy who keeps going on about the tiles would better suited on a cookery channel.

[@DenkyManner]

Presumably there's a second platform on the other side of the tracks?

[@countesscable]

Loved this. The only jiggle was the irritating use of the American “…Right?” At the end of sentences

[@markrochford897]

I would love to see this station in person as it's my name.

[@keithbouchard2007]

here a question what is the creepiest disused station that can all agree on that you've been to so far ?

[@railwaychristina3192]

Guys, anything left of St Mary's?

[@isashax]

I always wonder if you find bugs or rats around! You are either lucky or you edit them out!

[@mrbma]

Perhaps I missed something being said, but where have you guys gone ??? Any new vids soon...please ???

[@alexgrundon2346]

Today!

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Much as I am not comfortable asking the depot why they stopped running the London Suburban Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s on routes N26, 30, 121, 230, 271, 349, N279 And 158 why can’t we make the same make of the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Buses but Modernise the insides of these Buses. Also, make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more so there will be more space for the wheelchair users. By the way, if you could remake and Modernise these vehicles could they also make them into a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Version’s that if it will be possible and Modernise the insides of these Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more so there will be more space and even a London Suburban Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more. Why couldn’t we have those London Suburban Buse's Pale red on the top roof Pale red again on the top middle Milk Chocolate brown in the middle Creamy white on the Bottom Middle and Milk Chocolate Brown on the Bottom on most of those kinds of those Particular Double Decker Vehicles? Could you put the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox in the Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and also put the Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox in the Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more and also turn most of them to a London Suburban Buses. By the way, could you also make the routes N26, 349, 121, N279 and 271 into London Suburban Buses and have a mixture of a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Version. Could they also transfer the Arriva Bus Depots from Hackney to Stagecoach company so they can replace all the Arriva buses and all of them can go to Birmingham and Leeds? They can be replaced by Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the Middle body part of these Vehicles and that includes A Mixture of a Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Engine Northern Counties Palatine One and that Includes a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles A Little Bit More. Can Arriva London Bus Company Replace Most of their Wight Buses so they can also transfer them to Birmingham and Also Manchester so they can be replaced by Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the Middle body part of these Vehicles A Little Bit More Thank You Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Much. Oh buy the way could the bus Factory Companies also Make More of Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles And that also includes Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC And also Extend the Middle Body part of those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and that also includes The Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus A Little Bit More And Paint Those 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and that also includes The Northern Counties Palatine One with a Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Diesel engines with a Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearboxes and The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles to the Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 313 and the 103, If all The Leyland Titan B15’s are Fully Red and even Mostly Red, could they also Repaint All of The Leyland Titan B15’s into Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 313 so they can Reuse them for Only Every 6 and a Half Months and also Reuse them on those Rail Replacement London Bus Routes if that will Be Alright for Only Just Every 6 and a Half Months and also Reuse Those Buses Only on the London Bus Routes witch are The 341, N41, 34, 123, N29, 149, 221, N73, 121, 86, 30, 262, 147, 396, 41, N26 so Please make sure that the builders can do as they are told!!!!!!!!!! And please do something about these Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Important Professional Ideas Please Please Prime Minister and also Includes the Mayor of London.😉😉😉😉😉😄😄

[@stephensaines7100]

I gave you thumbs up purely for your 'enthusiasm'. But your differential does have a...'uniqueness' to its whine. Changing the lube might help, but I have doubts...

[@alexgrundon2346]

Pardon?

[@UrbexDen]

Done some urbex there a couple times but other than the old adverts the place is trashed and smells first time I went solo and found a giant rat sitting in a pool of something white. History is cool but is a bit creepy to go in there alone at night

[@davedrew9328]

Shouldn’t you Guys have hard hats on ?

[@spunkychops7484]

Alex iron nips