This Saturday will mark the first time members of the public will be able to see the historic Crystal Palace Subway following years of extensive restoration work.

The reopening of the subway on its 160th anniversary marks the first step in the wider regeneration of Crystal Palace Park.

The subway, which dates from 1865, used to link Victorian passengers from the now-demolished high-level Crystal Palace Station with the iconic Palace.

It is the most substantial survivor of the huge Crystal Palace complex which was dramatically lost to fire in 1936.

The Crystal Palace, famous for holding the great exhibition, was moved to Sydenham Hill in 1865 from its original home in Hyde Park.

Following the fire, the shelter was later used as an air raid shelter during World War II and then as the setting for The Chemical Brothers’ 1995 Setting Sun music video.

However, the subway had become largely overgrown and partly inaccessible in the last few decades.

As part of the subway’s £3.5m restoration, a new roof over the east courtyard and extensive repairs to the walls, floor, steps and entrances have taken place to ensure it is suitable for public use.

The project was carried out with experts at Historic England, who have taken every measure to ensure the subway reflects the best of Victorian architecture with the benefits of modern sustainable building.

Even the subway’s flooring matches the original design adopted in 1865.

The project, led by Bromley Council, has been made possible with the help of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway volunteer group (FCPS). Karl Richter and Jules Hussey, Co-founders of FCPS, told MyLondon: “Fourteen years ago the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway began the journey to realise the reopening of the subway. 

“Over the intervening years, countless individuals, groups, and local businesses in Crystal Palace have lent their support to this restoration project, whether through donating funds or their time by volunteering on open house days for the public.

"The support of Bromley Council and Historic England has been pivotal to the successful realisation of this new era for the subway and we are indebted to all those in the surrounding communities who determinedly backed the project to reach this incredible point.”

Funding for the project comes from the City of London’s Strategic Investment Pot and Historic England, as well as from several private donors.

The council is now hoping to secure more funding and investment to eventually turn the subway into an arts venue in the coming years. 

Bromley intends for this recent renovation will kick start the wider regeneration £52m plan for the grade II listed Crystal Palace park.

The next stage of the plan will see the park’s famous dinosaur statues and Italian terraces restored and the bust of Joseph Paxton, who designed the Palace, moved.

Speaking to MyLondon, Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, said: “This is the incredible moment that we have all been waiting for as this beautifully restored marvel of history is unveiled in an incredible milestone for our regeneration plan to transform the park.

“Much like the Victorian passengers who once used it, visitors to the subway will now be guided into a new era for this incredible park, with this astounding restoration providing a glimpse into the park’s bright future, as we continue to protect its remarkable history by pressing forward with our planned regeneration.”

Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting this stage of the plan, with wider funding for the regeneration plan coming from various sources including the sale of Rockhills and Sydenham Villas residential developments next to the park.

The regeneration plan received outline planning permission in 2021. Additional grant funding opportunities are also being sought on an ongoing basis and are still required to deliver the full regeneration plan.

Victoria Pinnington, Chief Executive of Crystal Palace Park Trust said: “The completion of the subway restoration project couldn’t be a better gift to mark the one-year anniversary of the Trust’s custodianship of this incredible historic landscape.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to the passion, dedication and hard work of those in our local community who campaigned tirelessly, under the leadership of the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, for this restoration to happen.

"We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people from our surrounding five boroughs, as well as those from further afield, to visit this beautiful space.”

Lord Mendoza, Historic England Chairman, said: “The subway’s restoration has been a labour of love. The rejuvenation of this extraordinary space was made possible by the determination of the local community and the commitment of partners and funders.

"I applaud those involved. Heritage brings people together and the subway, this beautiful example of Victorian construction, will do just that for many as a new venue in Crystal Palace.”

The subway will open to the public as part of Open House Festival on Saturday, September 21 between 10am and 2pm.

Pre-booked tickets are not needed for the event and more information about the day can be found here.