Art Deco English train station gets £325k revamp
A UK train station close to a major attraction has been returned to its former glory, which dates back nearly 100 years.
Over the past two years, Richmond Station in London has undergone a massive £325,000 restoration project.
Main features such as the facade have been reinstated to what they would have looked like in the 1930s and the bronze and mahogany entrance doors have also been repaired and polished.
New flagpoles have been added to where they would have been originally, with each flying the National Rail Double Arrow.
There is also a transformed entrance canopy and ticket hall.
Inside the ticket hall bronze panels that have been handmade to original designs have replaced cladding.
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When some of the cladding was removed, a number of original timber frieze and green glass signs was also found, most of which was intact.
Since, missing sections have been replaced so the signage can be enjoyed once again.
A number of new roof-lights that recreate 1930s ‘Glasscrete’ have also been implemented.
At night, there is a softer lighting to highlight the entrance and canopy and SWR installed a chandelier with features inspired by original Art Deco light fittings.
The shops also have new oak fronts and retro poster frames hold 1930s artwork.
In the booking hall, signs such as enquiries for left luggage are back on display and an old WH Smith sign has been preserved.
One of the original metal signs from outside the station, now appears in the booking hall as well.
The Art Deco station first opened back in 1937 and was designed by Southern Railway, led by chief architect James Robb Scott.
Chris Gregory, asset enhancement manager for South Western Railway, said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved, bringing the station back to its original heritage condition and providing a fantastic gateway to Richmond.”
For those heading to the station, Richmond is full of things to explore including a large sprawling park with over 630 red and fallow deer, which have roamed freely in the park for nearly 400 years.
In fact, it is the largest of London’s Royal Parks sprawling across 2,500 acres.
One popular spot is the The White Cross, which is known for flooding often thanks to its riverside location.
Don’t worry though – the pub often hands out wellies for customers to use if they want to get into, or out of, the pub.
Just up the road is a major UK attraction too.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew – or more commonly referred to as Kew Gardens – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans over 300 acres and features a vast array of plants.
Inside the gardens, visitors can head to the Palm House, which is a large Victorian-era glasshouse with iron features home to a large collection of tropical rainforest plants.
To get to Kew Gardens from Richmond, the fastest route is to hop on the District Line or the Overground, which takes about three minutes to reach Kew Gardens Station.
Alternatively, you could walk from Richmond along the River Thames towpath, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
In other train news, another historic station that used to have trains to the beach is set to reopen after 60 years and it has vintage dining carriage plans.
Plus, here are seven abandoned UK train stations that have been transformed – from Wetherspoons and cowboy bars to new hotels.