The original section of tunnel can be defined by its uniform width throughout as far as the Science Museum’s East Block. The construction of a much wider section beyond is a mystery and its not know why it was built as such, other than being the extension to the new 1908 entrance. This extra space may have been for the purpose of providing museum exhibits or stands.
Parts of the subway can be prone to flooding. This is the section near the northern exit.
The northern end of the subway. I’m not sure what the space to the right was for – by the time this section was built it seems any further extensions that had been mooted (such as that to the Royal Albert Hall) never got off the ground.
Here’s an earlier view of the northern exit area. I’m not sure what was going on here – perhaps the area behind the hoarding was being used for storage – rather than any renovation work for example being done.
Directions at the top of the subway exit by the Science Museum. In the older days of the subway the locations would have included places such as the long vanished Imperial institute, the Imperial War Museum (now to be found in South London), and the Royal School of Art & Needlework.
The 1908 Science Museum exit at 25 Exhibition Road. The structure was re-built in 1919 to blend in with the new Science Museum buildings. The doorway at right once led into the Post Office Building.
The subway entrance/exit in relation to that for the Science Museum.
Oddities
Brickhouse Dudley was a manufacturing company in West Bromwich it closed down in 1999. It had began life as Brickhouse Foundry and expanded considerably. A second plant, Prince’s Foundry, in Tipton was acquired to complement the business. The manhole cover see in the subway is an example of its work.
Brickhouse Dudley drain cover in the subway.
Those mysterious holes regularly spaced along the sides of the subway tunnel are an enigma. Many of them, very similarly sized and shaped. What could they have been for?
The subway barely ever featured in the public domain despite the copious amounts of publicity printed by the underground over the years. Perhaps knowledge of it was good enough? Below is an example of an old tube guide to the museums, no mention of any subway! Might as well walk the streets to the museums!
Here’s a good photo guide to the South Kensington subway.
Originally published April 2016 – Updated 2022.
South Kensington Subway #1
South Kensington Subway #2
South Kensington Subway #3