19/270 - Southgate

Southgate Station's impressive exterior

Unless you have been living under a rock, the big news is London is still celebrating England reaching the semi-final of the world cup, the first time in 28 years. With this in mind, there really was only one station to visit today, Southgate. Opening in 1933, Southgate station is another example of the brilliance of Charles Holden. Holden made huge influences on the London Underground, but the Piccadilly line features some of his finest work, and Southgate is often regarded as one of his best.

The Piccadilly line extended from Arnos Grove to Enfield West (now Oakwood) in March 1933, with Southgate being the only stop in between. The Piccadilly line finally reached Cockfosters in July 1933, despite a severe recession that threatened the expansion project. During the same period, the Piccadilly line expanded west to Hounslow. Before opening, the station had alternative names proposed such as Southgate Central and Chase Side, but Southgate is the only name the station has ever had. When the station opened on 13 March 1933, local residents were given a free return journey to Piccadilly Circus. 

Original uplighting at Southgate station

The station is famous for its Art Deco and Streamline Moderne design, influenced by Charles Holden. By using a perfect blend of reinforced concrete and glass, Holden designed 47 stations in London, and 26 are on the Piccadilly line. The impressive circular flat-roof is supported by a central column in the ticket hall. The top of the building features an illuminated Tesla coil, which is worth seeing at night time. The station is circular to allow for an outer-ring of shops, offices, toilets and staff rooms. The escalators at Southgate feature original up-lighting. 

The Westbound platform at Southgate station

The station is not without change, however. In 2008, the station received new tiling at the platform level, a new ticket hall floor and modern signage throughout the station. Southgate station won the National Railway Heritage Award in 2008 for the modernisation of a heritage station. Furthermore, between all the underground stations between Finsbury Park and Cockfosters on the Piccadilly line feature their own unique colour scheme, albeit subtle, this was to help illiterate passengers, similar to the more famous unique tiling patterns of Piccadilly line stations in central London.  The subtle colour at Southgate station is yellow.

Southgate station is the northernmost station on the London Underground network to have underground platforms, this is due to the hill the station building is located on. Interestingly, the platforms at Southgate station are labelled 'Westbound' and 'Eastbound', however, the 'Westbound' platforms run south-east and the 'Eastbound' platforms run north-west. 

As the nation sings 'Southgate you're the one' as Gareth Southgate and the England team are making history, now is a perfect time to visit one of London's most treasured stations. Try and visit at night time, you will not be disappointed. 

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