The station was temporarily out of service during wartime, but the Underground location wasn’t destined for oblivion. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
The London Underground diagram, encompassing zones and locales, hasn’t always appeared as it does today. For almost two decades, one station was missing from its depiction: Kensington (Olympia).
This railway and Underground site in West London’s Zone 2 is presently utilized by the London Overground and the District line. It offers an efficient route to bypass Zone 1, as all Overground transits are exclusively within Zone 2. Though, if we revert to 1940, this station fulfilled a strikingly dissimilar purpose. Originally inaugurated as Kensington station in 1844, it was so unpopular that it ceased operations in December of that same year.
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The station reappeared in 1862 with fresh services, inclusive of the Metropolitan line, and was re-designated Kensington Addison Road in 1868. Nevertheless, amid World War 2, the Metropolitan line suffered bombing, prompting the shutdown of the West London stations on the line. However, this didn’t spell the end for Kensington station. In actuality, the station boasted an ideal positioning.
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Aside from its railway connections to all parts of London, it was also conveniently near to the headquarters of the Commander of the Allied Forces, commanded by Dwight D Eisenhower.
It turned into his favoured point of passage when he journeyed to Wales in 1944 to get ready for the Normandy landings. In 1946, the station adopted the name Kensington (Olympia) and commenced transporting employees at the neighbouring Post Office Savings Bank.
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The station’s very existence was kept confidential by the Post Office Savings Bank owing to the Official Secrets Act; its official confirmation didn’t occur until 1958.
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During that year, Kensington (Olympia) obtained a lasting platform and a District line shuttle service to Earl’s Court.
Following its renovation, the station implemented more consistent timetables, incorporated a local garden, and underwent a facelift. However, train services remain infrequent at Kensington (Olympia), rendering it one of London’s rare part-time stations.