Elm Park

This is the fourth station I have visited on the District Line, the longest line on the tube network. It is a small station with just two platforms and a sloped exit rather than steps. The station is painted in its original red and cream.

As I left the station there were a couple of men, one on either side of the entrance/exit asking for money. I am used to seeing people begging near the stations in Central London but was surprised to see it happening here in the suburbs. I must admit I felt a little uneasy but did engage in conversation with one of the young men. He gave me a 'cock and bull' story about needing money to get to a hospital as he had been mugged and had broken his cheek bone. His face looked remarkably free of bruising or swelling. On my walks I never dress to impress as I like to blend into the background, nor do I carry much in the way of valuables. So, as I get free travel, I was able to say quite truthfully that I had no spare money but wished him well. He didn't query my answer and was polite to me. However, he was foul mouthed to a gentleman who walked past and ignored him. I gladly support homeless charities but refuse to give to people begging on the streets, nevertheless I always acknowledge their requests and engage in conversation if they want.

It was therefore interesting to read an article in the Elm Park library that in 2003 the station  was selected as a test site in London to have classical music played in the station as a measure to combat anti-social behaviour and calm crowds. This initiative was such a success that over 40 other London underground stations have now introduced the system.

The Elm Park garden city and the new District line station were officially opened in 1935. The building of 7000 new homes was to be  built on 600 acres of land at a cost of £3,500,000 by Richard Costain Ltd after the purchase of Elm Farm in 1933.
With the coming of the railway these new villages and towns were easily accessible from London. Costain knew this and realised he needed a station on the new housing estate. He negotiated a deal with the railway company to build a station at Elm Park and have trains stop here. It was the last station to open on this line.


The garden city movement is a method of urban planning founded on a series of principles developed by  Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928).
His ideas included:
Mixed types of housing that are affordable for ordinary people.
Homes with gardens in healthy communities.
Opportunities for residents to grow their own food, including allotments.
Generous green space with surrounding belt of protected countryside to prevent sprawling developments.
Local job opportunities.
Public parks and tree lined streets
Recreational and shopping facilities in walkable neighbourhoods.
Accessible transport system.

There were lots of flowers around and tree lined streets with well kept gardens

The station was very close to all the shops.

St Nicholas church was built in 1955-6 close to a temporary church that had been erected in 1936 to serve the new housing development. That was demolished in 1934.

In June 2009 a brand new library opened its doors. The roof is fitted with solar panels. The sedum roof improves insulation, absorbs some co2 and other pollutants and is also a wildlife habitat.

There is a lot of green space around Elm Park

To the North of Elm Park  is Harold Lodge Park. The River Ravensbourne cuts through the park into the first of two large lakes, one of which is used for boating. The park has a number of facilities including children's playgrounds, hockey and cricket pitches and tennis courts. To the West of Elm Park is The Chase Local Nature Reserve.

So after a couple of hours walking around I made my way back to the tube station and home. There wasn't much more to see other than rows of houses. The tube was quite empty and quiet. As usual on the way home I write a few notes about my walk. After a short time I  was aware that   I was surrounded by a group of teenage boys sitting either side of me and across the aisle from me. I hadn't noticed that the train had filled up at the last couple of stations. Fair enough, I could have done with a bit more elbow room but not to worry. I smiled at the boy on my right who was drinking an energy drink. He grinned at me so I asked if he was going anywhere special. A music festival and then onto the after party he replied. I then noticed that they all had bottles of energy drinks. On close inspection I noticed they were filling them from small bottles of spirits!  It is illegal to drink  alcohol on the tube but I wasn't going to be the one to challenge them. I engaged in small talk with the lads opposite mainly about which one of them would remain sober enough to make sure they all got home safely in the morning. Although I was the only white female at  this end of the train I felt at ease, which was just as well as there was an older man a little further down the carriage drinking from a bottle in a brown paper bag. Another man who was obviously drunk was leaning against one of the doors. It was 2pm on a Saturday afternoon. Is this typical of the District Line, I wondered. Hopefully not as I still have another 37 stations to visit.