It’s on a strange part of the TfL map that means most Londoners will never get to see it
Gants Hill station, an East London stop on the Central line, bears a striking resemblance to stations found on the Moscow metro. The station’s exterior, nestled just north of Valentines Park in Redbridge, is fairly inconspicuous.
You could easily pass it by without noticing, unless you spotted the iconic roundel. The station is accessed through stairways that descend below the Gants Hill roundabout.
In contrast to other notable London Underground stations like the distinctive red-tiled Caledonian Road and Russell Square on the Piccadilly line, Gants Hill lacks a remarkable street-level facade.
Yet, once you make your way down to platform level, the atmosphere completely changes. The remarkable open-plan platform features a sweeping arched ceiling, imposing tiled columns, and sophisticated benches positioned in both directions from the middle.
Notably, those who have experienced the Moscow Metro may spot the parallels between Gants Hill station and numerous stations in the Russian capital. Indeed, they share such similarities that the Central line station’s concourse is frequently dubbed the ‘Moscow Hall’.
This distinctive architectural treasure was designed by Charles Holden. Sadly, its position on the Hainault loop of the Central line – one of the Tube’s least frequented stretches – means it remains largely uncharted territory for most Londoners.
The Hainault loop has even been dubbed the Underground’s loneliest corridor where, outside of rush hour, you could quite feasibly claim an entire carriage to yourself.
The London Transport Museum’s website lavishes praise on Gants Hill station: “The arched ceiling and detailed symmetry create an elongated effect that this photograph captures perfectly. Inspired by Holden’s visit to the Moscow Metro, this happens to be one of Holden’s last commissions for London Transport in 1947.”
Construction of Gants Hill station commenced during the 1930s but was brought to a standstill by the Second World War, during which it served as an air raid shelter, with its tunnels even operating as a munitions factory for Plessey electronics.
After considerable delays, Gants Hill station finally opened its doors to passengers on December 14, 1947, becoming the easternmost underground terminus across the entire London Underground network.
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