Down Street, a London Underground station in Mayfair, was forced to close in 1932 after poor passenger numbers, a decline attributed to local residents' vocal opposition who feared it would attract 'undesirables' to their exclusive neighbourhood. The station later found new life as a secret WWII bunker used by Winston Churchill.
Locals Opposed the Station from the Start
The proposal for Down Street station met with fierce resistance from wealthy Mayfair residents, who were unhappy about having a Tube station on their doorstep. They worried it would draw 'undesirables' into the area, according to the original report.
Despite the opposition, the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway—a line that largely mirrors today's Piccadilly line—pressed ahead with construction. The company had intended for the station entrance to be on the main road, a standard design for all its stations along the route. However, due to local pressure, they were forced to settle for a building on a side street.
Low Passenger Numbers Led to Closure
When Down Street opened on March 15, 1907, the station attracted poor passenger numbers from the outset. Its concealed location and proximity to more accessible stations like Hyde Park Corner and Dover Street compounded the problem. By 1932, the station had shut down.
But that wasn't the end of Down Street's story. In 1939, with the outbreak of the Second World War, the station was repurposed as an underground bunker for the Railway Executive Committee, the body tasked with maintaining railway operations throughout the conflict.
Secret Wartime Bunker and Churchill's 'Barn'
The vast network of tunnels beneath the former station was transformed into offices, bathrooms, dining rooms, and dormitories. According to Atlas Obscura, the corridors were just wide enough for a tea trolley to pass through.
Another secret lay within: a small section of the former platform remained accessible. Trains passing through would halt if an executive left a red lamp there, allowing the executive to board alongside the driver, no questions asked. Fellow passengers would be none the wiser, as only a tiny portion of the train aligned with that small platform section.
Given the bunker's considerable security, Winston Churchill and several members of his government used it before the Cabinet War Rooms in Westminster were completed. Churchill affectionately referred to it as 'The Barn'.
Post-War Use and Modern Tours
Following the war, London Transport took ownership of the Down Street bunker, using it for engineering access and as an emergency exit. While many offices have since been stripped out, those on the platforms remain intact. The London Transport Museum now offers guided tours of this long-abandoned London Underground station.
