Cunning Cover-ups: London’s Best-hidden Ventilation Shafts

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London’s network of tunnels (for tubes, trains and sewerage) needs a huge number of ventilation shafts, but these are often considered to be a blot on the landscape. Over the years, an astonishing range of cover-ups have been attempted, and on this fun ride we’ll see some of the finest examples. We start from London Bridge (the Needle) at 10am, returning by 1pm. Our wandering route takes us in a leisurely loop as far as Hyde Park. Among the highlights:

… When the Metropolitan Railway, the world’s first underground, opened in 1863, its cut-and-cover tunnels had periodic gaps to provide ventilation. One such gap lies behind numbers 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens, necessitating the demolition of these two houses in the middle of a fashionable terrace. To avoid an unsightly gap, the front wall of both houses was preserved, leaving an empty void behind…which you can view by going round the back into Porchester Gardens.

… The most surprising of all hidden ventilation shafts is, perhaps, the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner. Its Northern pier once housed a police station, and its Southern pier a park-keeper’s residence, but with the building of the present Hyde Park Corner roundabout in 1960-62, both sides were gutted and one side became a giant ventilation shaft for the underpass below.

… and you are promised many more cunning cover-ups.

Riders of all ages are welcome on Healthy Rides but under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Same for “adults at risk”. Always give way to pedestrians and to other cyclists so all path users feel safe.  If you cannot make a ride, please cancel so that someone else can take the place. These rides are part of a regular programme of Saturday rides, more information at https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-rides/.