Crystal Palace Subway wins National Railway Heritage Award

The newly restored, Grade II listed Crystal Palace Subway has won a National Railway Heritage Award.

The Subway restoration was selected by judges for the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award, recognising the collaborative approach to the restoration works. The award was presented jointly to Bromley Council and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, following enthusiasm and support of residents which led to the restoration.

The Subway restoration was also guided by expert advice provided by Historic England, which saw careful repairs provided to the walls, floors and entrances and created a stunning new glass roof over the east courtyard, which was formerly the ticket hall. The restoration project cost £3.5 million, funded jointly from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot, more than £1 million from Historic England, and significant local support and individual donations.

The Subway is now being run by Crystal Palace Park Trust, the community-led charity which took over the management of the park in 2023 as part of the wider regeneration plan for the park.

A commemorative plaque to recognise the National Railway Heritage Award will be displayed at the Subway in due course.

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This welcome award is excellent recognition of what has been achieved and further cements the legacy of this incredible structure following its careful restoration last year which is allowing the beautiful Subway to once again be enjoyed by residents and visitors. I thank the local residents and partners involved for their support in making this restoration possible. It has been the perfect start to our wider regeneration plan which we are now progressing for the whole of this historic park and which will ensure the park’s future is just as magnificent as its past.”

Sue Giovanni of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway said: "I am so pleased that this incredible subway is now being enjoyed by visitors following local support over many years that led to its restoration. Just as the subway once supported the park by guiding visitors to the Crystal Palace, it once again supports the park as a stunning events venue, making the subway a key part of the park’s future as well as its past."

The Subway reopened in September 2024 and has already welcomed thousands of visitors for tours, drop-in visits and a craft market. Crystal Palace Park Trust is continuing to develop the Subway as a unique venue for south London, ahead of its 160year anniversary in 2025, with upcoming events including seasonal pop-up cinema screenings, a comedy night and a silent disco.

Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust, said: “The Trust is so pleased to see the National Railway Heritage Awards recognise this wonderfully restored space - the first step in the regeneration plan for the park that the Trust is now delivering in partnership with Bromley Council.”