Baker Street is widely called ‘the first Underground station in the world’. It appeared as one of the first seven stations on the 1863 Metropolitan Railway. Maybe because the role of Baker Street grew as the number of lines that served it increased. Later it became the Metropolitan Railway HQ.
The Circle line platforms are so wide as the Met laid to GWR broad gauge (7 feet 1 quarter inch) alongside standard gauge to allow that railway’s trains to use it. It has the most dedicated Underground platforms (10) of any station. Some history:
1863: Opened on 10 January that year on a line between Paddington and Farringdon
1868: Baker Street East (extension lines) – Metropolitan and St John’s Wood railway – later to open to Harrow, Uxbridge, Watford. Amersham, Aylesbury all the way to Verney Junction
1906 Bakerloo line station – originally separate station on Baker Street. Rebuilt in the 1920s and the northern terminus 1906-1907
1925: Rebuilt, opening in 1929 combining all the stations on one site. Chiltern Court built above (Charles Clarke architect) with the residents including HG Wells and Arnold Bennett. Chiltern Court restaurant is now the Metropolitan Bar.
1939: Bakerloo Line service commenced to Stanmore.
1979: Jubilee Line service took over the Bakerloo Stanmore branch.
2019: Lost Property Office – based here – closed and moved to South Kensington.
This walk sets off along the Marylebone Road to Regent’s Park station. It is a simple route that in the video is illustrated by historical maps.
Marylebone Road stretches approximately 2.5 miles from the eastern end of Edgware Road to the junction with Euston Road. The busy road is lined with an array of architectural styles, ranging from Georgian and Victorian townhouses to more modern structures.
One notable landmark is Madame Tussauds, a world-famous wax museum that attracts millions of visitors each year. Additionally, Regent’s Park, one of London’s most beautiful green spaces, borders the road to the north. This expansive park offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city and is home to attractions such as the London Zoo and the Open Air Theatre.
Marylebone Road is also known for its proximity to several renowned medical institutions, including The Royal College of Physicians and The University College Hospital. These institutions contribute to the road’s reputation as a hub for medical research and healthcare.