Belsize Park tube station facts for kids
Belsize Park is a tube station located in north-west London. It's part of the famous Tube network, which helps millions of people travel around the city every day. The station is in fare zone 2, which is important for figuring out how much a journey costs. In July 2011, Belsize Park station became a Grade II listed building. This means it's a special building that is protected because of its history and unique design.
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Exploring Belsize Park Station
Belsize Park station is on the Northern line, one of the busiest lines on the London Underground. It's located between the stations of Chalk Farm and Hampstead. The station was opened a long time ago, on 22 June 1907. It was built by a company called the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR).
Who Designed Belsize Park Station?
The station was designed by a famous architect named Leslie Green. He designed many of the early Tube stations, and you can often spot his work because of their unique look. Leslie Green's stations often have a distinctive ox-blood red glazed terracotta facade (that's the outside walls!). They also usually have a semi-circular arch over the entrance. Inside, you might find patterned tiles, which were also part of his signature style.
What's Special About Its Design?
Belsize Park station is a great example of Leslie Green's work. The red building stands out, and the inside has some of the original tiling patterns. These tiles were designed to be easy to clean and very durable, perfect for a busy public space. Even though some parts have been updated over the years, the station still keeps its historic charm. Being a Grade II listed building means that any changes made to it must respect its original design and history.
Belsize Park and World War II
During World War II, Belsize Park station played a secret and important role. Below the station, deep underground, there's a special shelter. This was one of eight deep-level air-raid shelters built under London. These shelters were designed to protect thousands of people from bombs during the war.
How Were the Deep-Level Shelters Used?
The Belsize Park deep-level shelter could hold up to 8,000 people. It had different levels and tunnels, providing a safe place for families to stay during air raids. After the war, some of these shelters were used for other purposes, like storage. The one at Belsize Park is still there, a hidden piece of history beneath the busy streets of London.
Images for kids
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Station entrance in 1960
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Belsize Park deep level shelter
