Tube Spotting Dan: 7/270

Roundel at Oval station,
9th February 2017

Oval is one of just two stations on the entire network that is just four letters long. Situated in zone 2, Oval station is a gorgeous station that serves the nearby Oval cricket ground, which holds 26,000, and has provided cricket since 1845. Just under 7 million people use the station each year, and they will note how lovely the station is, from the tiling in the entrance area, to the uplighting on the escalator and to the music played in the concourse.

The station opened when the City and South London railway ran services between Stockwell and the now closed King William Street in December 1890. This line would become the Northern line, for a brief overlook at the brief history of King William Street see my article of Borough station, which like Oval, opened in December 1890 further north along the line.

Kennington Park

The Oval Cricket Ground,
9th February 2017

Kennington Park is one of London's oldest parks, opening in 1854, and is home to cricket history. The park hosted cricket matches between 1724 when London played Dartford, and 1785. However, cricket was reintroduced to the park in 2002, which is supported by Surrey County Cricket Club, who are based at the nearby Oval cricket ground. Some of you will be asking, why are you talking about Kennington Park on a blog post on Oval station? Well, it is because Kennington Park is closer to Oval station than Kennington station.

Tiling at Oval station,
9th February 2017

Oval's unique design?

Oval station once sported a lead-covered dome at the top of the lift shaft. If you want to know what Oval looked like with the dome, visit Kennington station, one station north on the Northern line. This is a similar situation to Borough station which also originally had a dome on the station building. Oval station got its unique tiling scheme in late 2007 and early 2008 as the station was modernised. Internal tiling at Oval station features large images of cricketers, there is uplighting on the escalator, and during my visit to the station classical music was played. This technique is often used to discourage loitering. I am not sure if music is played all the time, but it was a welcomed touch on my visit, and another reason as to why I find the station fascinating.

If you have never visited Oval station, I strongly advise that you do. From the tiling, to the music played and gorgeous uplighting, Oval station is one of my favourite stations I have visited so far. Kennington Park and the surrounding area is equally as nice as the station.

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