Perhaps Arnos Grove station is more than just a place to catch the Piccadilly line. It is a testament to architectural vision. Standing on Bowes Road, we are facing what many consider London’s most iconic underground station.
Arnos Grove station’s photos have appeared extensively in media. Designed by Charles Holden, it represents the best of his work on the London Underground network. In 1926, the City and South London Railway commissioned Holden to design seven stations. This was for the line’s extension to Morden. Frank Pick managed the Underground Electric Railways Company of London. Pick commissioned Edward Johnston to design the Underground’s iconic roundel symbol and typography.
Holden, born in 1875, joined Henry Percy Adams’ practice in 1899. Later, Lionel Godfrey Pearson joined. The practice became Adams, Holden and Pearson Partnership in 1913.
The Piccadilly Line extended north from Finsbury Park to Arnos Grove in September 1932. Cockfosters became the final northernmost station in July 1933. Holden used various basic concepts for his station designs. Variations on these concepts created a unique legacy of stations in London.
Arnos Grove Underground Station has a cross-shaped footprint. It features a single-story ground floor. The double-height central ticket hall is especially striking. This ticket hall rises as a drum-shaped space. Eight metal-framed clerestory windows light it. A flat, projecting concrete roof tops the drum. It rests atop a plain concrete entablature.
The Bowes Road frontage has two wide entrance bays. These provide access to the station concourse. Extensive glazing floods the ground floor with light. The ground floor has a flat concrete roof. It projects outwards from a concrete entablature. A ribbon of blue tiles and illuminated glass signage displays the station name.
Originally, the ground floor was divided. The northern quadrant housed a staff mess room. The north-east quadrant was for uniformed staff. The south-east quadrant contained the booking office. A shop occupied the south-west quadrant. The north-west quadrant was for bicycle storage. A west side entrance sat between the shop and bicycle storage. Separate male and female toilets were in the west entrance lobby. Access to the platforms is at the building’s easternmost extent.
The platforms are below the station building. The station is alongside the northbound track. A bridge continues across to the southbound track. Stepped stairwells with clerestory glazing lead down to both platforms. The platforms have cantilevered concrete canopies. These provide shelter for waiting passengers.
Arnos Grove Underground Station has undergone limited alterations over the years. Necessary changes for modern transportation have been made sensitively. In 2005, the station was refurbished and modernized. This included travel information displays. Dot matrix displays and a public announcements system were installed. Closed-circuit television was added for security.
Holden’s earlier stations used a brick box design. At Chiswick Park and Arnos Grove, he used a circular ticket hall. Later, he implemented designs with a tower feature. The circular drum shape is particularly attractive. Compared to Chiswick Park, Arnos Grove’s symmetry makes it the finest of Holden’s work.
The station building and platforms received Grade II-listed status in 1971. This was elevated to Grade II* in 2011. The station opened on September 19 1932. It was the terminus on the first section of the Piccadilly line extension to Cockfosters. The line extended to Oakwood on March 13 1933. The station’s name was chosen after public deliberation.
So, as we stand here, remember that Arnos Grove station is a monument to design. It connects communities and has stood the test of time.