The History of the London Underground... in benches

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Take a seat for an unconventional view of history.

[@pdrg]

I love the fact that if a bench has worked for 100 years, why replace it? It's what gives the Tube character.

[@Pesmog]

Yes, and just think of the hundreds of thousands of people whom would have sat on those benches in a 100 years, each with their own life story.

[@frankupton5821]

@@Pesmog One's bottom may may be occupying a space that was previously warmed by a hero, a statesman, a film star or a murderer.

[@ROBERTNABORNEY]

@@frankupton5821 or all of the above - in one person

[@malcolmgibson6288]

Definitely a benchmark video.

[@nigeldewallens1115]

I had not seen your comment sorry! 😬🤭🤣🤣😉

[@NickyMitchell85]

Yes 🙌 agreed 👍. A benchmark video indeed.

[@TheFrogfather1]

Three chairs for that comment!

[@NickyMitchell85]

@@TheFrogfather1 three chairs 🪑🪑🪑 indeed!

[@britishfilmguy]

Saw what you did there 😂

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

This is exactly the sort of trivial history I follow this channel for. I'd never have thought a full length interesting video could be made about benches, but there you are.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

I guess it shows that Jago wanders around London with his eyes open, and not glued to his mobile phone like so many other people.

[@highpath4776]

"The London Underground Does Not Like To Throw Stuff Away- As You Know"- If you ever visit the Bakerloo Line

[@terrycostin7259]

You must be the only person who can make benches interesting , excelled yourself again sir . Bloody well done!

[@johna5635]

Harrow on The Hill has one of those Arnos Grove style benches - I've never sat on it but I often admire it from the opposite platform during the ten minutes it takes for the "Next train to Uxbridge due in 4 minutes" to elapse.

[@rvedotrc]

A few years ago I spent a bit of time visiting every station (all 270 ... yes there are 272 now, I think). One of the things I most loved about doing this was seeing the quirks of station furniture. Relics of old wooden telephone booths, station post boxes, anachronous signage, the wonderful variety of station clocks! Would love to see your take on this sort of thing :-) Thanks for all the great work!

[@highpath4776]

At Barbican you will find unwanted programs from the RSC stuffed under them and along the side of the platform walls - Hamlet - found under Benches and Edges

[@dancedecker]

That's dreadful 😊. Hilarious and clever I will admit, but a dreadful pun nonetheless. Lol.

[@harrytodhunter5078]

I can absolutely see an artsy design book based on london tube benches in the style of "Brick Index" or "Pencils You Should Know"

[@paulhaynes8045]

A nice surprise - and very interesting too. I'd noticed, over the years, that there were a lot of odd relics of the past dotted around the Underground, but I never realised just how many. This doesn't happen by accident, so it would be interesting to know how TFL decides these things. How do they marry the need to maintain a strong corporate brand/image with this (apparent) policy to keep so much of the past? And I wonder just how many Underground's user's even notice?!

[@brettpalfrey4665]

Jago is truly a seat of learning! I will take more time looking at what I am sitting on, next time in the Undergound!

[@davidpnewton]

For those wishing to know more about the fascinating contribution furniture has made to naval history see the Battleship New Jersey channel video posted a couple of days before this one. About 40 minutes into that video is a short talk on the chair which got selected because it could survive being thrown out a seventh-storey window!

[@highpath4776]

Less told is the rejection of the unfortunate pavement slab that shattered on the impact

[@bordershader]

They must have had seriously good fun doing those tests!

[@petertooth2831]

The ‘five second advert’ for Surfshark. Hilarious, and delivered deadpan. I like it, you always make me smile.

[@StupotTaylor]

The Hornchurch and Plaistow benches have frames which are made to look like wood, and we have some in parks here in Bristol that are not dissimilar. I’ve always wondered if they were ever painted to look even more wooden. Maybe. Maybe knot.

[@paulsengupta971]

Were they put on branch lines?

[@Keithbarber]

@@paulsengupta971 no, trunk routes

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

Well I never, woodn't you know it ........

[@Keithbarber]

@@SlartiMarvinbartfast you've twigged

[@jerribee1]

I've been rooting around for a pun to come up with, but no luck.

[@philipgibbard304]

Chairman of the board Jago! My favourite benches have long been those you included from Hammersmith Piccadilly and District Line platforms.

[@mickontherock1]

Who would have guessed that a video about benches would be one of the most interesting and riveting I’ve seen in ages. Thank you Jago yet another throughly enjoyable and informative video. You’ve surpassed yourself thank you. All the best Mick

[@highpath4776]

The Big District Line ones looks like they raided St James Church Hammersmith for unwanted pews

[@esmeephillips5888]

Glad to see that the Underground remains mostly free of the shiny tin seats which seem to be compulsory at the new heavy rail stations chronicled by Geoff Marshall. Hold out for organic materials.

[@PeteS_1994]

I feel this is the downside to a developed, well established system. It's like most new stations, or station rebuilds are seen as replaceable so they don't really care to design the small details like benches. Interestingly though the Elizabeth Line new stations had specially designed benches and stuff.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@PeteS_1994 Franchising passenger services since the 1980s has not resulted in differences in station architecture and design, like those which make the Victorian railways' legacy so rich. Like chain stores, stations look the same everywhere, served by the same open-plan multiple units. The main interest of train travel nowadays lies in the passing scenery.

[@davidemmott6225]

I'm 200 miles away so can't easily check it out, but I seem to think that Southfields and its adjacent stations East Putney and Wimbledon Park, which were owned and operated by British Rail right up to privatisation in the late 90s, were equipped with standard Network Southeast benches, which I assume remain.

[@18robsmith]

The Bakers Street benches were for those that had run out of puff due to all the smoke and general bad miasma that pervaded the Metropolitan Railways enclosed platforms.

[@QALibrary]

wonder how many of the benches and other fixtures and fittings are listed and can not be replaced by a different design etc

[@highpath4776]

The benches in alcove areas are useful in some stations for nestling against the end wall bit avoiding the inrush of air as fast trains approach - I often did that at Moorgate

[@highpath4776]

Honestly , what with the Whitewick's and their Proposal Bench, one feels like it is prime seat in the house time.

[@robertfletcher3421]

Now that is good. You have given me somewhere to sit and think about the history and design of the Tube on my next London visit.

[@nigelcole1936]

That red oval bench at the end is a favourite - they used to have those at Elm Park which was my local station. A very well seated video Jago, many thanks

[@katycarr9819]

You've found so much fascinating material about something we take for granted. I never realised how long some of these benches have been in service, or how much variation there is, and I love the ones that still have the old logos.

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

The tube is such a dogs dinner yet it works really well - impossible to imagine London without it. Pretty good for the last 20+ years, and a vast improvement on the not so steady decay during the 70s to late 90s I previously experienced it.

[@highpath4776]

some folk from the provinces might wonder why there are benches on the tube when we have a train every 100 seconds on the Victoria Line. Its two fold - one as a place to sit while you sort your bag out checking phone is away and oyster card out for the later swift exit, it is also a spare refuge from the slower / faster walking passengers so you can time you route to the exit avoiding some of the crush. Additionally in the early mornings and late nights trains can fall to being every 5 mins, which is like, hell.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Living on a line where trains run every 30 or even 60 minutes, I fail to grasp why Londoners are obsessed with running for a train when there's another one a couple of minutes behind it!

[@ZGryphon]

@@Clivestravelandtrains It's the _principle_ of the thing. ;)

[@iankemp1131]

Having recently developed acute sciatica I must say I was extremely grateful for the benches after a longish walk to the platforms ... a true relief. Also I could then use them to sit for a few minutes to catch a train where I could get a seat rather than having to stand.

[@iankemp1131]

@@Clivestravelandtrains Sometimes it's because you have a connection somewhere to one of the surface lines with the 30 or 60 minute frequency! In my case usually at Tottenham Hale. Sometimes I have made connections by the skin of my teeth.

[@ZGryphon]

@@iankemp1131 Oof. That's no party. I hope the underlying cause is nothing serious and you feel better soon.

[@rachelwalker7091]

Benches! Glorious benches! Interestingly varied and built to last. Thanks for your uplifting video Jago.

[@itsthatsebguy93]

I feel bad for drunkenly sucffing the benches at Baker Street by using the edge as a bottle opener.

[@rogerwitte]

I read some interesting research suggesting that benches transverse to the platform would be safer than benches aligned to the platform. The key observation was that when drunk people tried to get up from a bench they generally take a couple of steps forward before taking any note of their surroundings. The author thought it might be better if the probability of those two senseless steps ending on the tracks was kept as low as possible.

[@RJ-fn7mf]

I read some years ago about electricity pylons in South Africa that had transverse cross bars near the top for some purpose. Vultures that perched on these would take off and lose height , hitting and shorting out the power cables. The bars were turned through 90 degrees and the problem stopped

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The benches look comfortable and I’m sure commuters love them.

[@nigeldewallens1115]

That set new bench marks on your videos! 😉😜😬🙄

[@kevelliott]

Well, THAT was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be! And I don't think you have a career prospect on 'Just a Minute'...

[@ZonkerRoberts]

Another example of the reasons why Jago Hazzard will never be unseated as the champion of Tube videos!

[@SmallBlogV8]

I'm slightly thrilled to see Stamford Brook, even briefly, because that was 'my station' when I commuted into London (and Ravenscourt Park was my place to run from the office... and Hammersmith was my place to get lunch).

[@johnm2012]

When I first moved to London, back in the '80s, I lived near to Chiswick Park station and travelled to work westwards, against the flow. Although Turnham Green involved a longer walk I used it to get the Piccadilly line into London on Sundays.

[@louis1952]

Well done Jago! You produce the only adverts on KZbin worth listening to.

[@arthurvasey]

Was “Shurfsark” a deliberate Spoonerism?

[@dougmorris2134]

Hello Jago, I listened with Jago to this tale from the tube and yes, I was “sitting comfortably” with a hint of “The Home Service” 📻. Indeed the Depot Museum is full of wonderful things, one or two from my past (the gold RT)

[@lawrencelewis2592]

The ones at Hatton Cross are quite similar to what is in several stations here in Toronto.

[@jerribee1]

Another video that sits nicely in the Jago Hazzard canon.

[@ludovica8221]

All I can think of is 120 years worth of bottoms

[@JagoHazzard]

We’ve all been there.

[@ludovica8221]

@@JagoHazzard 🍑

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

I can picture some of them!

[@hb1338]

@@alejandrayalanbowman367 That might not be legal !

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

Fascinating. Indeed the variety of benches, from all the companies who originally built the lines, is yet another example of what makes the system interesting. I don't normally sit on the "iconic" benches at Golders Green station, but will make an effort to do so tomorrow!

[@vomgrady]

Congrats on the plug. It was Jaws dropping.

[@defender1006]

Thank you, I love the differences that the Underground system has, in both it's design and application, it makes interesting viewing to those of us who'd rather see what's around them than have their noses stuck in their 'phones!

[@marionbloom1218]

Excellent video. These are the sort of things that give character to an old system like the tube. Can I suggest one about the different styles of platform canopies? Or maybe even just the different styles of stanchions that hold them up - I have noticed there are so many different designs, and it would be fascinating to have a detailed survey and history.

[@johnnyrvf]

As a teenager through the seventies, I used to live a short walk from Turnham Green and remember very well sitting on those benches waiting fot various trains! Thank you for bringing back some lovely memories!

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

I actually like the natural look of the midlands railway benches :] Also I had never really thought about how integral bench design is to station identity. Very cool video, thanks for sharing Jago!

[@garycook5071]

Expect an upsurge in bench watching across the underground network

[@davidcronan4072]

I wonder how much original bench woodwork (or indeed frames) actually survives? I hope it's not another "Trigger's Broom" situation where his original broom had both its head and handle replaced several times, but he still called it his "old broom".

[@georgeprout42]

Argh not Triggers broom (aka ship of Theseus) again. Same joke but it was Granville's broom in 1981 "Open All Hours" (Series 2 episode 1, Laundry Blues) Trigger's broom was in 1996 (Series 9 episode 1, Heroes and Villains) David Jason appears in both scenes. I like to think that his reaction was "oh no, not that joke again".

[@paulmayhook8755]

@@georgeprout42 And I think it was originally the Irishman's knife

[@capabilityred3606]

Nice relaxing video Jago. You are the benchmark to my enjoyment of the London Underground.

[@Alex-191]

Jago what about the bench alcoves at Ealing Common? They are near the stairs and seem out of place with the rest of the tube network. They have history of the underground plaques but why were they built like that?

[@googleuser3163]

I wonder how long you've been sitting on this idea

[@JagoHazzard]

Oddly enough, over a year. I just forgot about it until I was getting footage at Woodside Park.

[@paulsengupta971]

@@JagoHazzard So it was on the shelf for a while before it was put back on the table?

[@hughs591]

Very interesting, enjoyable, and different. I guess something similar could be made for the wider rail network, there’s a beautiful double sided and substantial wooden bench here at Totnes which might make a good starting point. NB, also enjoyed your 5 sec. promo . . .

[@ThatScottishAtlantic57]

Great video Jago👍

[@Sophiebryson510]

I oove the GER symbols out on the central lines northern area. I belive they’re still on some benches

[@bobcosmic]

Now Jago is turning me onto benches, well I never.

[@shaunonlyplaysyt9879]

I never paid attention to railway benches until this video

[@KevinTheCaravanner]

It’s amazing that these wooden structures have survived over 100 years of use. Some of them have been out in the weather for 100 years. Yet they look as good as new.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

You had me in the first half of the title. I’m sure you’ve had quite the Bench Leave (ok I was reaching for a good pun).

[@johnmurray8428]

Thank you not only for this benchmark video, but also for the Canada Water video that I shared with family history group here (in Ottawa) that was enjoyed and well received!

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

I sit on that bench at Clapham North regularly. Good to see it getting some media attention. It's a good bench, nice to sit on.

[@ZGryphon]

The modern benches raise my hackles because of the superfluous dividers, which I feel certain are only there to prevent people from lying down. Nobody's been filling in customer satisfaction surveys over the last 40 years saying "the benches are good, but what would make them _great_ is some sort of individualization for the seats."

[@barvdw]

It's a well-known strategy also called hostile architecture, and it's meant to avoid people, especially homeless people, from lingering too long. There's a whole ruckus a few months back when SNCB decided to remove the 50's wooden benches at Brussels North and South stations and replace them with almost the identical design you see in London. Cold metal and dividers, you definitely not linger on them for longer than you have to...

[@NickyMitchell85]

Definitely 💯 a benchmark ‘Tale From Da Tube’ in agreement with Malcolm Gibson’d comment _”Definitely a benchmark video.”_ indeed. Keep ‘em ‘Tales From Da Tube’ videos rollin’ in, Mr. J. Hazzard. And here’s to another 100 years of ‘London Underground 🚇 Tube Train’ service and it’s benches. Can’t wait 😛 to see the next of your ‘Tales From Da Tube’ videos. Keep up 🆙 da good 👍 work, Mr. J. Hazzard..

[@dorsettyke]

Who'd have thought that bench history would be so interesting?! 👍🙂

[@AaronOfMpls]

I'm glad those old benches are kept in use -- I'd imagine with boards replaced as needed. And yah, the art deco (GWR) is still a cool one! Though do those newer styles _have_ to have all the armrests? I know those are there to discourage sleeping/vagrancy in stations -- but I can also imagine footsore travelers might still want to put their feet up for a bit before continuing on!

[@librarian16]

Armrests make it possible for someone with my mobility problems to use the seats. I couldn't get up from some of the plain benches shown.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

You could also mention the famous photo of Jacob Rees Mogg sleeping in the House of Commons on the Government Benches.

[@barvdw]

​@@librarian16 then maybe a few could be used, but not all. I'm a slightly larger man, and have trouble even fitting between those, not to mention the anti-homeless design of them, in cold metal and dividers stopping you from taking a short rest, you won't stay longer than absolutely necessary.

[@kenmorris100]

Another tick in the box Jago! How many of these benches are now listed as an integral part of the many listed Underground Stations? Of course benches are no longer needed on the Victoria Line as by time you sit down the next train is approaching!! keep up the good work I am still waiting on your piece on Liverpool Street Metropolitan Station.

[@toxiczeu3597]

this video brought back memories, i remember being around 5 or 6 in arnos grove waiting for my grandad to finish his shift on his d-stock district line train, and i also remember being around 8 years old. i was coming home from a football match and we got on his train, and i ended up getting in the cab on the eastern end of the district line. such a cool experience

[@yuwan]

What a brilliant angle of the Underground history this video is! I have never thought the benches that I sat are such old. Hope the TfL will keep these antiques. They are part of the history of the lines.

[@peteryoung4957]

I never realised benches could be so interesting. I wonder how many backsides have sat on them over the years. Thank you Jago for doing a video on them. 😀

[@gadaboutwalks]

The platform benches on the Elizabeth line core section are getting plenty of use: you can tell by the dirt marks that are starting to appear on the back walls.

[@nigelcole1936]

Yes I have noticed that too, why did they not predict see that problem coming

[@highpath4776]

I could never work out if Dave Allen was a standup comedian

[@iankemp1131]

More a sitdown comedian, but certainly a great comedian, much missed (though his earlier material was better, more sketches and less ranty)

[@thatcommentaccount69]

Jago is the only youtuber to have me actually watching the entire sponsorship part

[@andrewweitzman4006]

Consider this high praise, Jago: this episode had me wishing to lie down, put a hat over my eyes, and sleep. I am a notorious bench-sleeper, a habit that I got from my father. I see a nice bench? The inner hobo in me takes over.

[@AlecFlackie]

Thank you for this video, you never normally think about them but seeing them in this context is like seeing old friends.

[@peterjansen7929]

Well, I was wrong again: I always thought that nobody would know more about benches than old dossers, but you've set a new benchmark! Thanks for another great video.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

This is among the most informative and novel of your recent productions, for which many thanks.

[@grahampaulkendrick7845]

Loved it. I needed a short sit down! 😀

[@Pauldjreadman]

The only thing missing is Padington Bear and a marmalade sandwich.

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

And an introduction by Michael Hordern...

[@jamesmartin3004]

Why is it when I listen to you I want you to do more ads 😂 - unlike 99% of YT sponsored videos you put effort in which make them watchable so thanks for putting the effort in 👍

[@davidbosher8377]

Excellent and interesting commentary too. I've never really photo'd LU station benches when I've been out on one of my regular photographic jaunts around the network, but I will from now on. Kind regards, David, Crouch End, N8.

[@julianellis8200]

How much we take things for granted until the details are pointed out. Thanks Jago!

[@goawayimsleeping509]

1:45 At long last, my humble home station of Golders Green features in a Jago Hazzard video! Hooray!

[@davepoole9520]

Would have liked to see the one outside the LT Museum mentioned. Would it have been from British Museum station or is it a mock-up? Loved the Midland Railway's cast-iron tree branch style frames.

[@gslug1]

I seem to recall that it was custom made for the museum, but in terms of design, it is identical to the ones at White City - which are unique to that station, and featured inn the outro to the video.

[@Pesmog]

There are quite a few tree branch framed benches still around as their historical design significance was appreciated and many have found their way onto heritage railways where they still do good service.

[@MrGreatplum]

An excellent history of that often forgotten bit of station furniture… I wonder if any of them form part of the listing of the listed stations?

[@AtheistOrphan]

6:58 - I like the little ‘Staff Only’ area!

[@watchmakersp9935]

Another great video Jago...you certainly set the benchmark for transport video making!

[@danyarwood7219]

Excellent work sir. Made even your sponsorship entertaining!

[@AllensTrains]

The London Underground contrasts with National Rail in the way it keeps its stations. With National Rail, old wooden benches are often ripped out and replaced with metal things. Thanks for uploading.

[@martillomagallanero4835]

Couching the history of the tube in terms of its furniture is an Interesting approach. Too early to say if this style sits well with your usual approach but sofa, so good.

[@reptongeek]

I regret that I didn't notice the benches much when I was down in London last October. The most time I ever spent on a bench was either waiting for the Hainault shuttle or a sardine packed commuter train at West Brompton when the two Overground trains were cancelled

[@alfsallander3400]

This is brilliant information for my planned London trip in 2026. When my ms fatigue sets in, benches with some sort of back support is really helpful. As for the catchprase guess: "You are the resting accomodation to my eternal tube commute."

[@justinrovers1]

Love this video, something you may ignore but you make it come to life! Well done!

[@ltankk]

Good video once again Jago! Never thought that there's a lot of stories behind these bench designs. 👍🏻

[@felixjohnson2693]

I love how the arnos grove benches integrating the roundel were reinterpreted for canary wharf jubilee

[@PenryMMJ]

the old benches look a lot more comfortable than the modern ones. Ok you're unlikely to be sitting there for long, but extra comfort attracts passengers.

[@beachman8106]

Thanks Jago, you have made seating sensational. Is this perhaps a first step towards a series of videos on other fixtures and fittings such as litter bins, light fittings and shades, sanitary fixtures, door knobs and handles, doors and windows, stained and etched glass panels? 👍👍 from 🇦🇺

[@phillipwong3754]

Is fortunate that I personally don't really use them as trains comes often enough, but the history and design just makes me appreciate them more.

[@loddude5706]

What tales have these old benches heard, what liaisons have they held, that heartache within known & precious spaces, now so clear of those we love, today, they flash past at speed . . . & yet, I do still look for her . . . just in case. (For David Lean . . . & this small piece of grit in my eye : )

[@roboftherock]

Such eloquence.

[@hb1338]

'Brief Encounter' ?

[@ianthomson9363]

This is what I like about this channel- the subject is one that most of us take for granted and rarely think about, but here it's transformed into a most interesting and entertaining few minutes. I have a particular liking for the old-style wooden benches and a hatred for the perforated sheet & tubular steel type as used on the open-air section of the Met line. I'd like to make the designer of these to be forced to sit on one for half an hour during winter and discover why wooden seats are vastly preferable in these conditions. And then send him to Chalfont.

[@JM-tc3hk]

Could u do a video on the abandoned cross river tram project?

[@RJ-fn7mf]

I think this is one of the most satisfying videos to date, opening our eyes to our surroundings. Well done!