Home > Sloane Square tube station

It opened as part of the original route of the Metropolitan District Railway (now the District line).

The station crosses a the valley of the River Westbourne (which runs through Hyde Park as the Serpentine Lake, and crossed the Knight's Bridge at Knightsbridge. The river itself runs accross the centre of the station, crossing above the platforms in an iron pipe.

The river had a significant effect on the station. The station couldn't be above the river because that would be at least partly above ground level, and very costly, blocking major roads and buildings. Neither could the station be at the same level as the river, as the river would either block the trains and the platforms, or have to be raised and lowered at either sides by means of an expensive pumping system. In consequence the station is unusually deep for a sub-surface line (as opposed to deep level lines), pushing the limits of the technology when it was built.

Access to the surface is currently by escalators from each of the side platforms, which replaced steps in view of the depth of the station below the river. The surrounding area has a high level of shops aimed at the more expensive end of the market, and in consequence has low patronage, since attendance at the shops is usually by means of taxi.