Warwick Avenue tube station

Warwick Avenue station stands in Little Venice, a quiet corner of the City of Westminster where three canals meet. It serves the Bakerloo line, linking Maida Vale to Paddington with a single stop. The station opened in 1915 when the line was extended from Paddington to Queen’s Park. Two flights of steps lead down to a ticket hall below ground level. Unlike many early stations, it was built with escalators rather than lifts. In 1985 a fire destroyed the ticket machines, forcing a day’s closure. The station’s name almost became Warrington Crescent before opening. Three bus routes pass its entrance, making it easy to reach. A song by Duffy, “Warwick Avenue,” brought the station wider fame. Photographs from 1915 show the original escalators in use. Ventilation shafts and subway entrances date from the 1930s and 1970s. The lower concourse between platforms still carries passengers today. Visitors find a calm entrance beneath the street, reached by steps or escalators. The ticket hall sits below ground, lit by period fittings. Two subway passages connect the platforms, one to each end of the station. Outside, the junction of Warwick Avenue, Warrington Crescent and Clifton Gardens frames the area. The canals nearby offer walks along towpaths lined with houseboats. Little Venice’s waterside cafés sit a short walk away, adding to the peaceful scene.